Day-to-Day Operations #2
Hope snickers and the rest of us fall apart. Madison leans on my shoulder as she holds her stomach. I let out an unladylike snort before laughing. Nan sways back and forth with the other dress like she’s dancing with it, while Juliette sits to the side, shaking her head with a knowing grin.
“Can’t you just imagine how dreamy it would be, Kayla?” Nan stops in front of Kayla with a huge grin on her face and holds the purple dress up to her. Her brown eyes sparkle. “Everyone will know we’re a couple.”
Kayla grabs the back of Nan’s neck and kisses her soundly. “No to matching dresses, and if anyone has any doubts about our status by the end of the night, I haven’t done my job right.”
“I do have some real options.” Nan blushes and kisses Kayla before returning to the changing room. “You’ll like them better.”
“I prefer you in nothing at all, but show me some pretty dresses.” Kayla turns and glares at the rest of us. “That wasn’t funny.”
“I’m hilarious,” Nan calls from behind the curtain.
Kayla shakes her head and meets each of our eyes. “Don’t encourage her.”
“Juliette says it’s too much fun to watch you squirm.” Hope sits beside Juliette on the sofa. Those two have gotten really close.
“I brought more dresses.” The saleswoman, Ann, wheels in a rack of dresses portioned out into five sections. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find one that’s perfect for each of you.”
She quickly fills the changing rooms with dresses for all of us and then stops in front of Nan’s with a couple of dresses. “I have a few more for you to try on.”
“Is Kayla still out there?” Nan asks.
Kayla arches a dark eyebrow. “Why? Did you want to put on a Disney parade?”
“No. Go into your dressing room. I want this to be a surprise.”
Kayla crosses her arms, but Madison grabs Kayla and pushes her into her dressing room.
“All good,” Madison says. We can hear Kayla grumbling behind the curtain.
Nan steps out in a floor-length silver gown with a back that dips down almost as low as the one I wore last time. It hugs her curves.
“Gorgeous,” I say.
“You can’t have her. She’s mine,” Kayla yells.
I shake my head.
“Though I may be willing to negotiate a trade for Dante.” Kayla sounds thoughtful.
“Kayla!” Nan glares at the curtain.
“What?” Kayla laughs. “He’s hot. Sara’s hot. It’s a pretty even trade.”
Nan shakes her head and meets my eyes. “It’s a good thing she’s joking. Because if you swung my way...” Nan winks.
“Nope. No trade.” Kayla tries to open the curtain, but Madison holds it closed.
“I’m not after your girl, Kayla.” I chuckle. “But she’s stunning in this dress.”
Everyone nods and smiles at Nan. She ducks back into her dressing room to change. The rest of us go into our dressing rooms to try on the new dresses. I want something as stunning as the last dress for the benefit.
Honestly, I kind of want to wear the same dress. The look in my guys’ eyes made it worth every penny. But this time, I’m going to draw attention by being on their arms. I’ll have my friends to keep me tethered and to fight off any girls who get the wrong idea about my guys.
I put on a pale green silk dress and step out to see what everyone else is wearing.
Nan sits on the bench in her jeans and a light sweater with a glass of champagne. She looks me up and down critically. “It works, but I can tell from your expression it isn’t the one.” She smiles. “You’ll find the perfect dress.”
I turn and look in the mirror. It’s not bad. Like she said, it works. But I’ve already found the perfect dress. I sigh. I just want to find the same feeling again.
Madison steps out in a strapless black satin dress that follows her silhouette perfectly. “With a black mask?”
“Definitely.” I smirk. “And the Graham diamonds?”
Madison glances down at the large ring still on her finger. “I’d be happy in a simple necklace, but Coop goes over the top.”
Hope walks out and looks down at her dress with a frown. “Do I look like a little girl playing dress-up?”
The dress has a lot of ruffles.
Kayla steps out in a blue silk dress similar to mine. But she looks ten times better in it.
Nan covers her eyes. “Ah, babe, the surprise.”
“You already know I’m hot.” Kayla shrugs and turns to Hope with a critical eye. “Is that what she picked out for you?”
A lot of ruffles.
Hope shrugs. “It’s on sale.”
I look at the rest of the girls and we all nod. Kayla leads Hope to the dressing room.
“Take that off. We’ll find you something.”
Hope bites her lip. “I can’t spend as much—”
“Nope. You’re getting a dress courtesy of Seth Hart.” Madison grabs Nan’s hand and helps her stand.
Hope shakes her head, so determined to not let us spend money on her. “Mad—”
“Friends don’t let friends wear ruffles to a charity event.” Madison closes in on Hope. “You were my first friend and even got kidnapped because of me. Let me do this for you.”
Juliette steps out and looks at the tense faces. She signs, “What happened?”
Hope talks as she signs, “I can only afford dresses from the kiddie section, so Madison said Seth is buying my dress.”
Juliette gives Hope a once-over and signs something too fast for me to pick up. I’ve been practicing with Dante, but I’m still only comfortable with the basics.
“She said obviously we’re looking for a rich harem so we can’t be seen in ruffles.” Juliette touches Hope’s arm. “We’ll pick something divine.”
Hope puts her hand to her lips, but then looks up at us with her blue eyes. Tears shimmer in them. “Thank you.”
Juliette pulls her into a hug before gesturing to her dress. It’s a pale pink with flowers embroidered on it.
“It’s lovely,” I say and sign.
“Perfect.” Kayla smiles.
“Good. Let’s find Hope a dress,” Hope translates for Juliette.