“This is the last dress that would fit in her price range. She didn’t like the other two,” Britt told them, hoping to change the opinion on the one she was wearing.
“I have a cream dress that I can wear at home.” Jessie raised the dress up to her knees so she could hop down from the dais. The farther away she could get from her reflection, the better.
“I have four others she could try on if she’s willing to up her budget.”
Jessie was getting sick of Britt’s suggestions.
She defeatedly plopped down onto the dais to stare at the women. “I know you’re trying to help, but I really can wear the cream dress.”
“Have you worn the cream dress before?” Sutton scooted to the end of her chair.
“A couple of times. Once to church, and once to Logan’s kindergarten graduation,” Jessie told her, wondering what difference that made.
“Then it won’t do. Tate and I got married at the courthouse. I had the big wedding with my first husband, so I didn’t want a big one with Tate. I don’t regret marrying him at the courthouse, but I do what I wore. I wish I’d had a pretty dress and the pictures of me in it.” Sutton became tearful. “We all want you to have those pictures of being a bride when Dustin is gone.”
Seeing everyone was getting upset, the saleswoman picked up the Kleenex box and passed it around.
“What in the hell is taking so long?”
Britt jumped at Greer’s loud arrival.
“Jessie can’t find a dress,” Holly told him, using a tissue to wipe her eyes.
“What’s wrong with the one she’s got on?” Holding Rosie on his hip, he moved closer to the dais where she was sitting.
“I don’t like it.”
Greer stared at her critically. “Stand up.”
At his tone of voice, Jessie stood, letting the hem of her dress fall back to the floor.
“What style of dress is that?”
Britt bent down, fluffing the bottom. “It’s a mermaid.”
“She ain’t a damn fish. Find her something else,” he said, switching Rosie to his other hip.
“I don’t have anything else in her budget.” Britt eyed Greer like she was ready to get him out of her salon.
“What’s the budget?”
“Three thousand.”
Greer looked like she did when she had seen herself in the mirror.
“I only have a limited stock that I can release at that price. To sell something off the floor, I would have to reorder it, and I’d lose sales until it comes back in. I’m only a small shop. If brides can’t find it here, they’ll make the drive to Lexington, and I’ll lose the sale,” she explained.
“I see.” Greer gave her a cunning look. “What if price weren’t an object?”
Britt’s expression became just as cunning. “Unlimited?”
“That’s what I’m asking.”
“Then she can have the pick of the salon.”
“Oh no … she’s going to regret that,” Jessie heard Holly mutter to Sutton.
“Yes, she is,” Rachel muttered back.
“I’ve been saving money for a rainy day. I can take it to four thousand. Thanks, Greer, but—”
Britt’s face dropped in disappointment, seeing the huge sale slipping away.
“I got this. Don’t worry about it.” He waved his hand at the room. “Pick one. I ain’t got all day.”
Greer went to the small couch that Rachel was sitting on. “Move over, sis.”
Rachel scooted over, letting Greer sit down with Rosie on his lap.
Jessie had to walk slowly to keep up with Britt as she went to a wall.
“These are your size.”
Jessie started sliding the dresses along the rack, not seeing anything that appealed to her. “I don’t—”
“Jesus, let me do it.” Greer thrust Rosie into Rachel’s arms, then got off the couch to begin going through the dresses. He took one of them down, folding it over his arm. Then he took another three and arrogantly handed them to Britt. “One of those should do.”
At Greer’s hard look, Jessie meekly followed behind Britt.
“Is he your fiancé?”
Jessie nearly tripped in the dress she was wearing. “No, Dustin is Greer’s brother.”
Britt hung the dresses on the wall, then turned Jessie around to get her out of the mermaid dress.
“Is your fiancé like him?” she asked, giving her a sympathetic glance in the mirror.
“Oh no, Dustin isn’t a thing like Greer … Well … maybe a little.”
“I see.”
Jessie didn’t miss the pity in Britt’s eyes as she took one of the dresses off the hanger. Once it was on Jessie, she looked at herself in the mirror.
“I like this one.” Jessie ran a careful hand down the intricate beading. “Let’s show them.”
Britt opened the door.
Jessie’s footsteps were much lighter as she returned to the dais. Turning around, she faced everyone.
“Hell no. Next,” Greer said from the small couch with Rosie back on his lap.
Jessie looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with it?”
“That dress ain’t going to make my brother sit up and take notice. Next.”