Chapter 6 Graham
GRAHAM
"I love it even more than the first time you tried it," Lori said, circling Amber.
"I love, love, love this one," Amber said. "Graham, what do you say?"
I held up my hands. "Don't make me vote on fashion choices. You promised."
"Can you at least tell me if you like it?"
"You're beautiful. But you were beautiful in the other dress too."
"Are you going to say I'm beautiful no matter what dress I try on?"
"You bet."
"Well, okay. That's not much help. Lori, I'm counting on you."
Lori was clapping, her eyes crinkled at the corners from her gigantic smile. Her enthusiasm lit her up from inside, and she was magnificent to watch.
She sounded a little breathless when she said, "I think this is the one, Amber."
Amber twirled some more, and they talked about trimming and shoes.
I tuned out after that, but I couldn't make myself look away from Lori.
When Amber decided she was buying this dress, Lori hugged her.
As she pulled back, she observed the dress longingly, and it hit me that Lori wanted that for herself.
Her son's deadbeat father had taken off, but she still believed in all.
.. this. I knew many in LA who sold dreams they didn't believe in, but my gut feeling told me Lori wasn't one of them.
She was honest; she was real. Of course, my gut feeling had been wrong before, but I was almost sure I was right about Lori.
Fuck, I should stop fantasizing about those full lips, about how perfect she'd feel underneath me. Or on top. What was it with me? The better question was, what was it about her that pulled me in? I felt caught up in her spell, and I didn't know how to break it.