“We’ll go over your rules in the car, Dean,” Emma cut in, hustling me down the hallway. “We’re on a tight schedule today.”
“Of course Ms. Weber,” Dean said smoothly, tipping his head. “As you wish.”
Rachel gave him a brief smile before shooing me into the elevator. A shiny black SUV was waiting in the garage. Dean slid gracefully into the front seat as Rachel and I took the back seat. Once inside, Rachel and Dean went through a list of rules to keep me safe. It was mostly common sense and making sure that Dean could always see me. He made sure I had his phone number and gave me several ways to get his attention if I felt I needed him to be closer. I liked Dean. The way he spoke reminded me of my father and it was comforting to know he was looking out for me.
The car pulled up in front of a chic looking tall building with red awnings. Rachel grinned at me as we exited the vehicle and stepped into the luxurious store. Shoes that made my mouth water and feet ache just by looking at the heels, purses with names that I only associated with movie stars, and gleaming racks of beautiful clothes stood in front of me. I picked up a small bag, thinking it was kind of pretty and glanced at the price tag. $5,950. I set it down slowly, afraid it might break if I touched it too roughly.
“Rachel! They said you were coming today. How wonderful to see you! Is there anything in particular you are looking for?” A friendly voice drew my attention away from the designer clutch purse. A fashionably dressed woman was smiling at Rachel. She looked at me for a moment as though she recognized me, but couldn't place from where.
“Hello, Kristine. I need to purchase some basics for Ms. LaRue. “Rachel smiled politely at her, and the woman’s eyes flashed with recognition.
“LaRue? Jack's beach bride Emma LaRue...” The woman's voice trailed off as she realized she was quoting a tabloid magazine. She suddenly looked at me in a very different manner. “Of course. Let me get the room set up for you!”
Rachel turned and faced me. She ran her eyes up and down, eying me like a blank canvas she was preparing to paint. I tried not to fidget.
“Hmm, I think the spring collection will suit you wonderfully. Come with me,” Rachel said with a grin. I could tell she was in her element, as she headed into a rack of clothes and started pulling out different designs and patterns. She would hold one up, evaluate, and then either put it back or drape it over the waiting arm of Kristine.
“Do you prefer comfort or color?” She asked briskly.
“Comfort. Definitely comfort.”
“Are you comfortable in a dress? What lengths?”
“I guess so. I don’t wear them very often, but they’re fine. I like the knee length ones. Too short and my legs get sticky when I sit on things.”
Rachel nodded, asking questions as she moved through the racks adding more clothes to the growing pile in the saleswoman’s arms. “I think we have a good starting point,” she said finally.
I reluctantly followed the other two women to the dressing area. We were in our own separate room, filled with mirrors and a comfortable looking chair outside the changing area, a space obviously reserved for exclusive customers. Rachel selected an assortment of dresses, slacks and blouses, handing them to me with no order I could see. I walked into the changing area, glancing over my shoulder as she settled into the chair.
I looked at the clothes with dread. I hated trying on clothes. Hated it! It was something I did only in the most dire situations and even then as quickly as possible. I could hear Kristine offer Rachel something to drink, and Rachel requesting some sandwiches as well. We were going to be here for a while. There was no way I was going to get out of trying them
on, and besides, I had no clothes back at the penthouse.
With a sigh of resignation, I pulled off my clothes, neatly folding them on the small bench and tried on the first dress. To my surprise, it fit better than I expected. It was a simple wool dress, but it actually seemed to fit.
“The purple one fits,” I called out.
“Let me see,” Rachel replied. I sighed. I could tell she was going to have to look at everything I tried on. This was going to be a painful few hours. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
“The color is definitely good, but we need a different cut. Kristine, will you get the one with the square cut?” Rachel frowned thoughtfully and then smiled. “These are going to look so amazing on you. Go ahead and forget the rest of the dresses and skip to the slacks. Try the black ones first. I think you’ll like the cut.”
I returned to the changing room, and slipped out of the dress glancing at the fluttering price tag. $1,895! For a dress? The number made my head spin and I hung the dress up very carefully. I knew that kind of money would be nothing to the Saunders’ bank account, but it was still way more than I had in mine.
I slid the pants on and wanted to shout for joy. They fit. Actually fit. And they made my butt look good. And my front. Holy cow did I like these pants! This never happened while shopping by myself. Pants that fit on the first try? I didn’t hesitate this time, opening the door to show Rachel.
“Nice! How do they feel?” Rachel asked, standing up and walking over. I turned slowly so she could see the pants.
“They feel amazing.”
“I thought these would be perfect for you. Oh, you are going to be fun to shop for! You are going to be able to pull off some amazing styles.” Rachel was grinning from ear to ear.
“What do you mean? I usually can’t find anything that looks good,” I said slowly.
“That’s because you didn’t have me,” she replied. There was a light in her eyes, a simple happiness in helping me find clothes that was contagious.
“I’m guessing you like to shop,” I said.
Rachel nodded as she walked around me, rechecking the pants. Rachel laughed. “I like shopping. I love fashion. In fact, ‘love’ might not be strong enough to describe how much I enjoy fashion.” She motioned me back towards the dressing room, handing me a blue dress from her collection. “Try on this one—I want to see it on you.”