“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” the young lady asked, following Hailey’s gaze.
It was so charmingly graceful. “It really is.” She didn’t want to ask.
“Would you like to try it on?”
She pulled in a breath between her teeth. She’d want it. Bad. She could tell just from looking at it.
“It doesn’t cost anything to try it,” the clerk added.
What if it was the same price? “Sure.”
The woman grabbed one in Hailey’s size and even though she caught sight of the price tag—so not in her budget—she decided to try it anyway. What harm could it do?
It fit like she’d had it specially made just for her body. She forced herself to take it off, try on the other one, which was just as pretty. Almost. Sort of. She texted a picture to Fiona and Piper. Why weren’t they answering? Telling herself she shouldn’t have come alone, she put the other dress back on and took a picture in that one, too. She waited, hoping one of them would respond. When her phone rang, she was still in the black-and-white dress.
It was Wes. She swiped her thumb across the screen.
“Hey.”
“Hey back. What are you doing?” He sounded like he was typing while he talked.
“I’m trying to decide between two dresses. I texted Piper and Fiona to get their opinions even though I know which one I should get. Neither of them are replying.”
“What are your options? Send me a picture.”
“Uh, no.”
He laughed. “Why?”
“Because you’re not Piper or Fiona.”
“Why are you buying a dress anyway? Is it made out of yoga pant material?”
She laughed. God, he knew her well. “Jerk. Can you imagine how cozy that dress would be?”
“Come on. Send me a picture.” His cajoling tone made her stomach muscles tighten. He didn’t use it often.
“This isn’t why you called.” Though a guy’s perspective was one of the perks of Wes.
“No. I called to ask you a big favor. One I should have asked sooner.”
“Shoot.”
“Nope.”
“What?” She moved side to side, watching the dress dance in the mirror. Every woman should have a dress that made her feel this way.
“If you can’t ask me my opinion on a dress, I shouldn’t ask you for a favor.”
“Oh my God. You’re annoying. Hang on.”
She sent him both pictures then put the phone back to her ear. “I’m getting the blue. It’s a better price and more practical.”
“Hasn’t come through yet. I need a dozen salads tomorrow for a meeting at the community center. I can pick them up but is this enough notice?”
“Of course. That’s not much of a favor.”
She heard a sharp intake of breath. “Jesus. Neither is looking at you in a dress. You look fantastic in both.”
Her heart felt like it was vibrating. When Wes liked something, really liked something, he couldn’t hide it. Not well. His eyes and tone gave him away. And his tone made her heart do jumping jacks. Too much caffeine, that’s all. “See? Guy response.”
“You should get the black one.”
She grinned. “Rich guy response. I’m getting the blue. It’s half the price.”
“You can’t go wrong either way. What is this for, anyway?”
She didn’t want to say “date” again. She knew what they were. Hailey felt more certain with Wes than anyone else in her life at the moment. She didn’t want to play games just to see his response to the word “date.” That was a dangerous game. “My dinner on Friday with Piper, Nick, and their friend.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. There was a beat of silence where she couldn’t even hear his breathing.
“Wes?”
“I’ll pick up the salads at noon tomorrow?”
“Okay.”
He hung up and Hailey felt oddly disappointed. She put the black one back, telling herself it was silly to buy something that expensive that she wouldn’t wear more than a handful of times. The blue was practical and perfectly lovely.
When she got home later that night, she made a list of salads, sent them to Wes to get his approval.
Wes
Perfect. Thank you again. I owe you.
Hailey
You never owe me. I’m happy to do it and you’re paying.
Wes
Which dress did you get?
Hailey
The blue
Wes
You looked beautiful in both. Blue is a great color on you.