Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

She could twist a smile. She could tease with her eyes. She could beckon with the curve of her hips and the flick of her tongue upon her lips. Even the stupid habit she was doing right then where she pushed her delicate brown locks behind her ears was in some way charming.

Bekah just felt out done. It was a strange feeling, and this little shopping adventure was what she needed to get back her footing. She needed to remind this girl and herself exactly who she was. Bekah Bridges did not stand down or get flustered over some little girl.

"Lexi how wonderful to see you," Bekah trilled giving her a quick hug.

Lexi was momentarily caught off guard by Bekah's continued hospitality. This girl really was an enigma. One moment she was a snotty nosed bitch out for her life, and the next she was all happy-go-lucky girl next door. What was scarier was that Lexi didn't know how to predict her actions. Was it something that Jack had said that forced this woman to play nice with her today? Did Jack even know that they were out together again? Lexi hadn't bothered to call him again after their rendezvous at Ramsey's and then their texting conversation last night. She knew she would have to speak with him eventually since she had so much to figure out. She just didn't know how much of him she could handle just yet. He acted as if everything was fine and there was nothing between them, but then there were moments…shining moments where he was her Jack all over again. And she knew in those moments, he would take her as he always had. He would somehow work his magic on her and make her remember just what it was like to be with him. That was when she needed to be on guard the most. She had to get closure. Wasn't that what all this was about? Wasn't she talking to Bekah and dealing with Jack supposed to be about?

Her thoughts seemed to press in at her temples, and she forced a smile onto her face as the pain continued to crush in on her. She didn't want to think about that right now. She'd been able to forget for just the briefest of moments about Jack while she had been with Ramsey. That had been her break. Now she needed to get back to reality and fight out this battle so she could move on with her life.

"Good to see you too," she said pulling away from the embrace. "So what are we up to?"

"You'll never believe it," Bekah began ushering her away from Jimmy Choo. A slight glint in her eye remained as she passed the high heeled boots she had just been holding.

"What?" Lexi asked feigning interest.

"I had this gorgeous one-of-a-kind handmade Vera shipped to me last week for Jack's big day. Well my seamstress got a hold of it to do some last minute repairs and just destroyed it." The look on Bekah's face was pure destruction. "I've never fired anyone so fast, and she's been working for my family for years. You can't just go and ruin a brand new dress. I've no idea what she was thinking, but there was no way to salvage it and still have the desired effect."

"So you need a new dress."

"As do you," Bekah told her angling her body to direct them into Barney's.

"Oh, no I don't think so. I can't afford…"

"Money isn't an option," Bekah said the twinkle in her eye replaced by something else…a bit more mischievous.

"I'd never be able to repay you so I simply cannot accept anything, but I'd be happy to help you find something," Lexi said not wanting to ever be in debt to this woman or anyone else other than the Federal government for her student loans.

"I'll take answers to my questions as payment. How does that sound?" Bekah asked.

It sounded wonderful actually. She didn't have anything to wear to something as fancy as Bekah and Ramsey made this event out to be and she simply couldn't afford anything. But she could not let Bekah pay for her. There was more to that acceptance than Lexi was willing to succumb to. "I don't think so," she said uncertainly.

"Well let's just talk and if we find something then that was payment and if not then you're just fine. Is that better?"

Lexi chewed on her bottom lip not wanting to give into her. She tucked a lock behind her right ear and fidgeted outside of the department store. "Fine, but I doubt I'll find anything."

"Great!" Bekah exclaimed linking her arm through Lexi's and pulling into the store.

They were immediately greeted by a tall leggy associate with maroon hair and heavy makeup. She couldn't have been over thirty years old, but somehow with all the caked on layers she appeared older. "Miss Bridges, what a great surprise to see you in the store today," the woman said standing demurely before the perfume counter.

"Well thank you Katherine. My friend and I need something spectacular for Jack's big event tomorrow. Can you try to keep us away from the racks?" she asked smiling sweetly.

"Oh I think I know exactly what you mean," she said nodding and rushing towards the women's department. Lexi could tell she was excited that they had indeed come in that day since she was pretty sure everyone in this store worked on commission. Selling them two dresses for an obscene amount of money not mention anything else Bekah set her heart's desire on could keep her afloat for several months.

As Katherine bustled around the back of the store Lexi and Bekah got comfortable seated in the fitting area. Lexi didn't really know where to go next. Bekah had tried to make the conversation light and civil last time, and that hadn't worked. They both kept getting jealous and unintentionally saying things that made the other belligerent. She just needed to get through this. Lexi hoped that if she just answered the questions truthfully without any hindsight Bekah could then make up her own mind about Jack's past discretions. Lexi didn't necessarily feel the need to lead Bekah one way or another about Jack. His actions should speak for themselves. If Bekah still felt for Jack after the conversation and that he was worth her time, then that was her decision.

"So…uh…where to begin?" Lexi asked fiddling with her thumbs.

"Can you just calm down please?" Bekah asked sipping on some hot tea that appeared before them by another associate. Lexi smiled trying to sweep away her worries. She really did need to calm down. Anything negative that could come out of this exchange wouldn't be reflected back onto her.

"Yeah alright." She didn't sound all that convincing though.

"So can I just start it off then?" Bekah asked setting her tea down on a saucer and leaning back into the green cushion. Before waiting for an answer, she began, "Do you love him?"