“This one’s purty.”
Cindy unlatches the hanger from the rack. Fragments of light shoot off the turquoise gown like miniature laser beams. I wrinkle my nose in a scowl. “Too much glitter.”
She cocks her head to give it a second look. “I like it. Stands out.”
“Human disco ball is not the impression I want to make.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m afraid we’re runnin’ outta options, hun. You’re gonna have to pick one.”
My gaze scans the rows of gowns. Shopping was supposed to be fun. I’ve tried on an endless number of contenders, but nothing haswowedme yet. They’re all just so … generic.
“Is it too much to ask to find a dress without sequins?” I snatch the bottom of a bedazzled gown and hold it out as an example. “I want something simple.”
“Simple,” she parrots with a sigh. Her stare moves to the other end of the store. “Maybe we’re just not looking in the right place. C’mon.”
She hooks her elbow around mine and drags me away from my rhinestone nightmares. A sea of white surrounds me. “These are wedding gowns.”
“Welp.” She shrugs. “Way I see it, brides need bridesmaids, and bridesmaids need gowns.”
The salesclerk pounces the second we cross the threshold. “Can I help you?”
“We need a dress with no sparkles, sequins, rhinestones, upper thigh slits, corset bindings, or too much cleavage …” Cindy looks over at me to see if I have anything else to add.
“I think she has it covered,” I say.
The clerk purses her lips. “I think we can find something to accommodate that.” Hangers clink as she rifles through the racks. “This would look lovely on you.” She lifts her arm like a game show hostess gesturing to a prize, and from what I’m seeing, she’s found one. Champagne-pink tulle over lightweight satin. The deep V sweetheart neckline plunges to a wide waist that drapes in a perfect A-line silhouette.
A sharp breath hits my lungs. “That’s beautiful.”
The clerk smiles. “If you’d like to try it on, I can show you to the dressing room.”
She spins on her heel and saunters toward a curtained-off space. She drops the hanger on a hook and steps out so I can move in. I make quick work of changing my clothes, then glide into the mirrored alcove where Cindy waits.
“Oh, Ellie.” She touches her hand to her chest, her gaze softening around the edges. “That dress was made for you.”
I step onto the platform and survey myself in the 180-degree mirror. The soft color complements my skin tone, now bronze from months of biking around town. The molded cups hold my breasts instead of pushing them to my throat, and the boning on the inner bodice hugs my curves in an elegant fashion. It’s sweet and divine; everything I was looking for.
I spin around, watching the way the airy fabric swirls about. “I think this is it.”
Cindy grins. “I think you’re right.”
My attention drops to the price tag next. I hiss.Two hundred dollars.It wasn’t that long ago that I’d have rung this up without a second thought. A couple of hundred bucks was nothing. Chump change. I’d buy this dress, then saunter into Jimmy Choo for matching shoes. But having invested all my cash in my new business venture, this dress will cost me almost every penny I have left.
“Everything okay?” Cindy asks.
“Maybe I should keep looking.”
Her expression flattens. “What’s the problem?”
I spin toward the mirror again to give myself a last look. “It’s just a little pricey. I’m sure I can find something else.”
Cindy rises from the chair and comes toward me. She peers at the tag as the salesclerk returns. “How’s everything going over here?”
“She’ll take it.” When I open my mouth to protest, she slices the air between us. “Don’t argue with me. My mind’s made up.”
“I can’t. It’s far too much.”
“Didn’t I just tell you not to argue?” She takes me by the arms and twists me toward the mirror. “You’ve worked too hard to let somethin’ like a little money stand in the way of getting everythin’ you want. Your mama would be so proud. Let me do this. For her.”