“Lookin' good,” Amber smiled, “It looks perfect on you! You have to get it!”
“I would, but it's almost two hundred dollars,” Tamara said, “There's no way, Mary's going to give me a discount that big!”
“True, maybe I could help. We'll see what she'll do,” Amber said and looked down at a long red dress. It was stunning, but her father would die of an aneurysm if she brought it home, “Dad would kill me!”
“For buying it, yeah he would,” Tamara said, “He isn't here, girl, so go try it on!”
Amber did try on the red dress and found out the shade clashed with her hair. She and Tamara spent most of the morning trying on dresses. Amber tried on a teal, baby blue, purple, and white one. She only modeled the white dress because Tamara nagged her into it.
“I can't find anything!” Amber said throwing up her hands.
“We're only half way through the store,” Tamara said.
“You're right,” Amber sighed, “Let's keep looking.”
“What about a black one?” Tamara asked, “Maybe a sexy little number like this?”
Tamara held up a short black dress, just long enough to fall below Amber's knees. It had a boat-cut top and three-quarter sleeves.
“I know it looks a little plain, but with some tights and cute shoes, it'd be epic!” Tamara said.
“I'll go try it on,” Amber sighed.
Amber scrutinized her appearance in the mirror. The dress didn't draw as much attention to her cleavage as the first dress. It didn't minimize her assets either. She ran her hands down her sides and over her hips. The dress definitely showed off her curvy hips.
“What do you think, Tam?” she asked stepping out into the store.
Tamara's mouth dropped open and Amber turned back to the dressing room with a sigh.
“I'll find another one.”
“No, it's perfect! It looks beautiful!” Tamara said.
“Really?” Amber asked skeptically.
“Mary, come look at her!” Tamara called out.
“Oh, Amber! You look so pretty!” Mary said, hugging her.
Was this normal? If her mother was still alive would she hug her because she looked pretty in the dress she wanted to buy? Was Mary trying to fill that spot for her or was she merely wishing it was Katie standing in her spot?
“Thanks, Mary,” Amber smiled, “I think this is the one I want. If I can afford it.”
“If you can't. I'll give it to you,” Mary laughed, “It fits you perfectly!”
“Do you think this will make Joshua Nelson notice me?” Amber asked, timidly.
“Girl, you need to quit worrying about that boy!” Tamara rolled her eyes.
“Honey, if he doesn't notice you in this, he's blind!” Mary laughed.
Amber glanced at the price tag attached to the sleeve. The dress was only priced at seventy-five dollars. Maybe she could pay for Tamara's and Tamara could pay for hers. No, she couldn't lie to her dad like that.
“It's okay, I can afford it,” Amber smiled, “It's only seventy-five bucks.”
“Good deal!” Mary smiled.
“I've only found the lavender one, but it's almost three times what I'm allowed to spend,” Tamara sighed.