On Thursday, I went gown shopping with Gretchen. Drake had given her my number after he told me the event we were going to was a black tie affair. I had pretty dresses, but not one that would work for Saturday night.
I’d arranged to meet her at Tyson’s Galleria after work. The most shopping I’d ever done at this mall was via the windows. The stores here weren’t exactly in the price range of someone on a teacher’s salary, but I did have some money set aside in an emergency fund. And to me, this was an emergency.
When I walked into the ladies’ department at Saks, Gretchen already had several gowns waiting for me on a rolling rack. As I approached her and the dresses, my nerves spiked. They looked extremely expensive, which worried me. Even using my savings, I probably couldn’t afford them.
“There you are.” Gretchen hurried over to me and gave me a hug. “As you can see, I pulled some gowns that I thought might work for you. I guessed you were about a size four, right?”
“Hi, Gretchen, and yes, in most cases I’m a four or a six.”
“Fantastic. I wasn’t sure about your shoe size, so I grabbed a few different styles and sizes.” She tugged on my hand and led me toward the dressing rooms, where a very well-put-together woman was waiting for us, while another wheeled in the rack of gowns.
The saleswoman introduced herself and told us if we needed different styles or sizes to let her know. Before I knew it, I was in my underwear and bra, and Gretchen was helping me into my first gown. It was a black silk number and although it was pretty, it was too slinky for me.
Gretchen eyed me as I did a slow turn in front of the three-way mirror. “I don’t think that’s the one.” She went through the rack and handed me another. “Try this one.”
I slid into a black-and-red embroidered gown with an open back. It was gorgeous.
“Wow, Lucy. It’s beautiful on you. You have such great boobs, you won’t even need a bra.”
My face heated as I’m sure all the blood in my body filled my face. “There are cups sewn in, so this isn’t all me.” I tried to smile, but I was embarrassed.
“Do you have any idea how stunning your body is?” Gretchen shook her head. “Look at yourself. What do you think?”
“I think it’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever had on.” I did a one-eighty on the little pedestal, and when the saleswoman walked in, her opinion was the same as Gretchen’s.
The gown was a bit long, but I wearing high heels. As if she read my mind, Gretchen said, “You need a kickass pair of shoes.”
I grabbed the tag that hung under my arm, and when I read it, my heart stopped. The gown cost nearly four hundred dollars.
Gretchen shook her head. “Don’t be angry.”
“Why would I be angry?”
“Because the gown is paid for.”
“What? Who paid for it?”
“Drake did.” She lifted her palm to stop me from arguing. “He wanted to do it. When he wants something, he generally gets it, so he had me give his credit card information to the saleswoman.”
I frowned. “Yes. I’m figuring this out about him.” Inspecting the dress in the mirror, I did one final spin. “Hmm, I guess I have more money for shoes now.” Then I had an idea. “Would it be weird for you if we went to the lingerie department?”
Gretchen gave me a wicked grin. “My brother is a lucky man.”
After I picked out a gorgeous pair of red pumps that rivaled the price of the gown, we headed to lingerie, where I learned that Gretchen wasn’t a shy woman. She tried on a red satin corset ensemble with a tiny pair of matching panties, and looked like a Victoria’s Secret model.
I had selected a black lace garter outfit, but I didn’t model it for her. Unsure if Drake would even see it, I needed to buy it. I’d never felt so sexy in all my life.
When I got home, I hung up my gown and sent Drake a text.
LUCY: Thank you for my gown. You didn’t have to do that.
DRAKE: I wanted to do it.
LUCY: Well, I appreciate it.
DRAKE: My pleasure.
LUCY: Speaking of, I bought some things to go with it.