Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
The next afternoon, Sutton joined Reese downtown at one of the most famous boutiques in Knoxville, Lo’s on Broadway. Named for Broadway, Laurenza De Lucio’s favorite street in New York, the boutique was one of few in the country.
“This is Lo’s,” Sutton said, taking his hand as they got out of the Tahoe. “How? Laurenza De Lucio is one of the most famous fashion designers in the world right now. Everyone is wearing her designs.”
“My cousin Sean is a friend of Lo’s from college.
I called him as soon as I got off the phone with you, and he called her to see if she had anything available here.
” He grabbed the door to the boutique to hold it open for her.
“They had a cancellation yesterday, and no one was on the waiting list, so they were able to get us in today.”
I’m glad I wore a cute outfit. I would die going into Lo’s looking like a gremlin.
She ran a hand down her navy pantsuit and sighed, hoping her nerves didn’t show on her face.
When Reese asked to join her at the ball, her first instinct was to tell him no, since it would be after the kids’ event, and he wasn’t obligated to be seen with her again. But then she changed her mind because she wanted him there, so she said yes.
Because you like him, silly.
She shoved that thought aside as they made their way into the building, the gentle scent of gardenia reaching her nose.
“It smells amazing in here,” she said, smiling as the stylist greeted them.
“Hi, I’m Emily,” she said, holding out her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you. Welcome to Lo’s.”
Sutton shook her hand, and she held it out to Reese.
“Nice to meet you, too, Emily,” he said, holding it briefly before he released it.
“I have to admit, I’m a little excited you’re here,” Emily said, guiding them back from the front of the building. The boutique was larger than Sutton realized, the space comprised of four small seating areas with identical pedestals and dressing rooms.
“Why is that?” Reese asked, drawing Sutton’s gaze back to them.
Emily’s face flushed pink. “Well, I follow you both on Instagram, and my boyfriend is a big Kings fan.” She motioned for them to take one of the seating areas, the space empty but for another appointment across from them. “So, to help you pick a dress for the ball is kind of exciting,” she said.
“Reese would be glad to give you an autograph, if you’d like,” Sutton volunteered, squeezing his hand still in hers. “Wouldn’t you babe?”
He smiled at her, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “Of course. Anything for you.”
His hazel eyes warmed, and Sutton fought back a blush.
Calm down, girl.
“Oh my gosh, he would love that! I’ll be right back,” she said, leaving them alone for a moment.
Their eyes locked, and she swayed toward him, trying to fight the urge to kiss him, but losing the battle.
He stepped forward, bringing their bodies flush together and whispered, “Can I kiss you?”
Her eyes rounded, but she nodded. “Yes.”
He leaned in and took her lips in a scorching kiss, her fingers entwining with his as he wrapped his free arm around her waist, and her hand grabbed his jacket lapel.
Oh my God, yes.
She squeezed his hand as molten lava slid down her belly to her center, heat crashing over her in a rush. She released his hand and grabbed his other lapel, trying to bring their bodies closer.
He broke the kiss, and she released a soft moan, rewarded when his lips immediately returned to hers, and his hands cupped her face.
She let go of his lapels and slid her hands inside his coat, pressing her hands to his chest. His heart beat rapidly under her palms, and she smiled against his lips at his soft, “Fuck.”
They broke apart at a small squeak, turning to look at Emily. She stood next to the couch in the seating area with her lips pursed, fighting a smile. Sutton noticed the ladies at the other appointment immediately turned around, two of them leaning over to whisper to one another.
“I brought this for you to sign,” she said. She held out a blue Kings hat to him, and Reese took it and signed it. “Anything else I can sign for you?”
She shook her head. “Thank you for that. He will be so excited.”
She set the hat down and clapped her hands together. “Should we get started?”
“Sure,” Sutton replied. She set her purse and jacket down on the couch as Reese came around to sit. He tugged off his jacket and discreetly placed it over his lap.
“So, what kind of dress are we looking for?” Emily asked. “We have a little bit of everything, and if we don’t have it, we can order it.”
“I’d like something fitted but not too tight,” Sutton said. “It’s still a work event, so I need something fabulous but still appropriate.”
“Did you have any colors in mind?” Emily asked.
“She would look amazing in yellow or purple,” Reese suggested. “Or red.”
He winked at Sutton, and she smiled, transported back to the night of the housewarming party.
“I have a few amazing options in red, yellow, and purple.” Emily motioned for her to head to the dressing room. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Sutton stepped into the dressing room and held back a gasp at how large it was.
Everything is so much bigger here!
She went ahead and stripped from her pantsuit, leaving herself dressed in her undergarments as she waited.
It didn’t take long for Emily to return with some choices. She knocked on the door, and Sutton called for her to come in.
“Oh, those are gorgeous,” Sutton cooed, taking in the mix of reds, yellows, and purples she grabbed.
She hung them neatly on the bar, spacing them out so Sutton could see them a little better.
“Let’s start with this red one,” Emily suggested, pulling out a red sheath dress with some beading, a deep V-neck, and a lower zipper back.
She helped Sutton into it, and once zipped up, it fit Sutton like a glove.
“This is beautiful,” she said, doing a small twirl.
“Do you want to go show him?” Emily asked.
Sutton nodded, and Emily opened the door for them to go out.
She stepped into the seating area, and Reese let out a low whistle. “Damn, Sutton, you look amazing.”
She giggled nervously at his praise. “Thank you.”
Sutton stepped onto the pedestal, and Emily arranged the small train around her. “So, thoughts?”
“I like it,” Sutton replied, running her hand down the front. The beading was elegant but a little bit scratchy. She held up her arm, the underside red and irritated. “It is scratching my underarms, though.”
She turned around on the pedestal to face him. “What do you think?”
“I love it,” he replied. “But if it hurts you, I definitely want you to try something else.”
He leaned back on the sofa, putting his arm out across the back of it, relaxed and comfortable.
Reese looked amazing in a dark-green button down, his pressed slacks beige—the entire outfit accessorized by his tan shoes and belt. He’d topped it with his dark-green peacoat, and she almost swooned when she saw him at her door this afternoon.
“Ready to try on something else?” Emily asked, drawing her from her perusal of him.
“Yes, let’s,” she replied, stepping down from the pedestal.
They went back in, and Emily helped her out of the gown, hanging it back up.
“What’s next?” she asked.
“Let’s try the other red one,” Sutton said.
Emily grabbed it and helped her into it, but as soon as Sutton had it on, she didn’t like it.
Emily saw her face and immediately unzipped it. “No good.” She pointed to the purple ones. “These next?”
Sutton looked over the purple ones and picked the lighter of the two, deciding to try that one first. She liked the design it had on it but wasn’t sure about the square neckline and the thin straps.
Emily zipped her up, and she did a quick once over before they left the dressing room.
“So, what do you think?” Sutton asked, stepping onto the pedestal.
He straightened. “Do a little twirl for me.”
Her stomach flipped at the gentle command, and she pursed her lips before she did a slow turn. When she faced the mirror again, she locked eyes with him.
“It’s pretty,” he said. “But I’m not sure it’s you.”
Sutton had to agree. The floral design was lovely on the lighter color, but it wasn’t her cup of tea.
“I agree,” Emily stated. “Let’s try the other purple. Or we can go straight to the yellow.”
“We can try the other purple, then the yellow,” Sutton said, shuffling into the dressing room behind Emily.
She made quick work of the zipper and helped Sutton out of it, getting it back on its hanger before she helped Sutton into a dark purple, beaded, strapless mermaid gown.
“How’s the underarms on this one?” Emily asked.
“Not bad,” Sutton replied, rubbing her arms over the sides. The beading wasn’t as heavy on this one as it was on the red, so it didn’t rub in the same way.
“Good to hear,” Emily replied. “Ready to show him?”
“Yes.”
Emily pushed open the dressing room door, and Sutton walked out, a smile coming to his face.
“You look beautiful,” he stated, leaning forward.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
“I do,” he replied. “It’s a great color on you.” He pointed to her arms. “How does it feel?”
The ladies laughed, and he arched a brow at them. “She already asked?”
“She did.” Sutton tugged at the top of the dress as it slipped down a bit. “And they are fine. The beading is lighter and lays flat on this one, so it doesn’t bother me as much.”
“That’s good,” he replied, his eyes roving over her body.
Heat burned in his gaze, and she had to look away before she jumped into his lap, her body still on fire after that kiss.
“I think this one is in the running,” he said.
“I agree,” Sutton replied, smoothing her hand over the front. The beadwork was exquisite, with small pearl beads interspersed among the dark purple ones, along with a few diamonds as well.
“Do we want to try anything else on?” Emily asked.
“I’d like to try on one of the yellow ones,” Sutton replied. “It reminds me of a dress from a movie, but I can’t remember which one.”
“Sure,” Emily replied, grabbing the short train as she helped Sutton down.
“Be right back,” Sutton said, shuffling into the dressing room ahead of Emily.
Emily helped her out of the purple gown and hung it up. “Which yellow one?”
Sutton tugged the one she wanted from the rack. “This one.”
She pulled the yellow satin gown from the dress bag with a gasp. “It’s perfect!”
She examined it, and her eyes rounded when she remembered where it was from. “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.” She looked at Emily. “It’s the Andie dress.”
The gown had the same V in the front, along with the same backless design and the crisscrossed straps.
Emily smiled. “I knew you’d like that one.”
She helped Sutton into it, who tried so hard to tamp down her excitement at putting it on, but she couldn’t help how excited she got once it was finally on.
Reaching into her bag, she grabbed a hair tie to put her hair up. “I’ll probably wear it up, instead of down, so I’m going to put it up for now.”
“Ready?” Emily asked. She gathered up the short train and opened the dressing room door to let Sutton out.
She stepped out into the waiting area, and Reese’s brows shot up at the sight of her. He stood as they got close, taking her hand to help her onto the pedestal.
“What do you think?” Emily asked.
He pressed a kiss to the pulse on the inside of her wrist he hadn’t let go of and offered a warm smile, his heated gaze sending desire rushing through her.
“It’s perfect.”
“Really?” Sutton asked, looking back at the mirror. She smoothed her hand over the fabric, the satin hugging her in all the right places.
“Yes,” he replied. Looking over at Emily, he said, “I think this is it. We’ll take it.”
“Excellent,” Emily replied. “Did you want to use the same card you used to book the reservation?”
He nodded, and Emily disappeared.
“You had to put a card down to book the reservation?” Sutton asked, stepping off the pedestal to face him.
Thank goodness I wore my heels so I’m at least eye-level with him.
“Yes,” he replied. “Lo’s has a reservation fee, so I took care of it.”
“How much was it?” Sutton asked. “I can pay you back—”
He squeezed her hand to interrupt her. “It’s okay. I can take care of it.”
“What about the dress? I can help you pay for that. I don’t want you to—”
“Sutton,” Reese interrupted, “I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m going to take care of this, and your hair, and your nails and everything else that goes into this for you. You will let me spoil you.”
She opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again.
She had never had anyone want to spend their money on her, and she had to admit it felt good.
“Okay,” she replied, giving him a smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and released her hand.
“Okay,” Emily said, appearing again, “it’s all taken care of. If you want to come with me, we’ll get you out of it, then set up the delivery.”
“I can’t take it with me right now?” Sutton asked, leading the way to the dressing room, with Emily close behind with the train.
“Of course not,” Emily replied. “We have to order you one. This one is our floor model.”
“The event is next week, though,” Sutton said. “Will you have time to order it? I don’t want to put any stress or anything—”
“Ms. Cooke, I promise that gorgeous gown will be at your front door by Monday of next week.”
Sutton sighed. “Okay. Thank you, Emily.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Cooke.”
“You can call me Sutton,” she said. “This was super fun. Thank you for helping me find a wonderful dress.”
“You’re so welcome,” she replied, beaming as she helped Sutton out of the dress and whisked it and the others away, leaving Sutton to get dressed.
Once she was done, she walked out, as Reese lounged happily against the white cushions.
“Ready to go?” she asked.
“Yep. How about some dinner?” he asked, putting his hand on her waist as they left the boutique.
“Sounds wonderful. I’m starving!”