My Friend's Dirty Uncle

“But these are awesome,” said Kristi, as she surveyed the rack of clothes in front of her. “Plus, shopping with Dani like having your very own dress-up doll.”

I flushed and went back to the dressing room clutching the item Justine had given me. I shimmied out of the dress I was wearing and held the other one up to the mirror. It was even shorter and more revealing then the dress I had just worn.

“I don’t know about this,” I mumbled.

“Nonsense! Dani, you need to try it on first and then you can judge. What did I tell you about trusting me?” called Justine from outside.

I sighed and slid the dress over my head. It barely came halfway down my legs. I turned around, frowning at my ass in the mirror. It certainly did make it look shapely, even if my bottom was huge. I turned around again, admiring the scooped front. The sleeves came down to my elbows. Despite being revealing, I liked that modest touch.

I was afraid to admit how much I liked the dress overall given that there was no way I could afford it.

“Come on out Dani!” Justine said. “You’ve been in there forever!”

“Yeah, don’t leave us in suspense,” Kristi added from behind the curtain.

With a nervous gulp, I opened the fabric and stepped tentatively out into the store.

Justine was holding another shirt in her hands. When she heard the sound of the curtain shifting, she looked at me, stopping in her tracks. Her eyes went wide while Kristi gasped behind her.

“Oh my god, you look so hot!” Kristi exclaimed, eyes wide. “You are definitely getting that dress.”

“I don’t know…isn’t it a little short?” I asked dubiously before glancing into the mirror behind me. Was the girl with a flush on her cheeks and sparkles in her eyes really me?

“No, we are definitely getting that dress,” Justine replied. She tossed a bundle of other clothes to the floor. “It looks stunning on you.”

I looked back at the stack of clothes that Justine had set aside for me. Not all of them were formal – there were a lot of jeans and plain t-shirts too. But I’d seen the prices, and I knew they had to cost far too much money.

“No, Justine. I can’t. It would be too much.”

“I told you that when you came down here that I’d pay for you,” Justine said airily. “So it’s my choice, not yours.”

“But I don’t want to be a charity case,” was my protest. Justine slapped me on the arm and I yelped. “Ouch! What was that for?”

“To get that thought out. You are my cousin. This is what family does for each other. We spend ridiculous amounts of money on each other because we can. I know one day, you’ll return the favor when you make your first millions as a lawyer.” Justine winked. “So think of this as a investment. One day, I’ll need legal advice and you can be my attorney for free!” she concluded with a gleeful grin.

Despite my unease, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her words.

“You better buy that dress before I decide I want it,” said Kristi ominously, as she eyed the outfit once more.

“Too late,” Justine chirped. “That’s for Dani.”

And I nodded, grateful for my cousin’s generosity because I felt like Eliza Doolittle in the sparkling outfit, a mere housemaid turned into an elegant swan.

“Thanks,” I said as a hot flush spread over my cheeks. “I appreciate it.”

“I think we should go get some matching shoes,” said Justine, as she called over one of the salesgirls. She asked the woman to pick up the clothes she’d chosen and to bring them to the register with the instructions to wrap them up. Once the girl grabbed the material and walked away, Justine turned to me.

“Kristi and I are going to go the Jimmy Choo to start looking at shoes. Want to change and meet us there? Do you remember where it is?”

I nodded my head, remembering the boutique vaguely. “I think I can manage. Besides, there are maps.”

“Okay, cool,” she said as she turned to Kristi. “Ready?”

“Hell yes! Shoes are what I live for!” Kristi replied. She left the dressing area with a spring in her step.

Justine turned around. “Remember to bring that dress with you,” she said before she walked out. “I’ve already paid for it, so you’re getting it, for sure.”

I turned back, dragging the curtain back as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress was beautiful. It was bound to turn a few heads, although where I was going to wear it wasn’t clear. After all, I’m a big nerd who spends hours in the library, and this wasn’t my usual jeans and a t-shirt fare.

But as my mind wandered, I wondered what Hunter would think if he saw me in this item of clothing. And then I started to wonder if Hunter would remove it too. Given what had happened last night, it seemed totally possible, and my face flushed at the thought.