Help Me by Clara Bayard Page A

silly. The bottom hem puddled on the floor, clearly meant for someone much taller. And the fabric clung to me in a way that I thought made me look even rounder, and not in a good way. I looked at Rose through the mirror and frowned. “I don’t think this one is for me.”
    She smiled. “I agree. You’ve got such a great shape, but this dress doesn’t show it off right.”
    I bit my tongue to keep from arguing with her.
    “Okay, try this one. I think it will suit you better.”
    We swapped dresses and I stepped into the new one. It was a deep royal blue in a thick fabric that was tight to my waist and then flared out down to my knees.
    “Much better,” Rose said as she stepped closer to zip me up. “What do you think?”
    “It’s nice.” I looked myself up and down. The dress was lovely, but it wasn’t me. I felt weighed down by all the structured fabric. “Maybe too formal?”
    “I can see what you mean. But it’s really quite gorgeous on you. Consider it for another occasion.”
    “Sure.” I rolled my eyes when she looked away. Like people just buy gowns like this in case they come up with someplace to wear it.
    Over the next half hour or so I learned something interesting. Expensive clothes are a million times better than cheap ones. Styles I’d see on models and never think would work for me actually did. With Rose’s keen eyes and her little clips that made it possible to see how things would fit when altered for my body in particular, I realized that Trey was right. This kind of shopping was fun. Plus, I was half drunk which didn’t hurt.
    “Keep going, I just remembered we’ve got more cocktail dresses in the back that might work for you,” Rose said before slipping out of the room.
    I looked through the rack of things I hadn’t tried yet, and was drawn to a red silk shift dress. It called to me and when I touched the fabric I couldn’t get in on fast enough. And once it slipped over my hips and I looked in the mirror, I was in love. The color made my pale skin gleam against the dark fall of my hair. The lines of the dress skimmed my body, enhancing my curves in a sensual, but not vulgar way. I looked sexy and mysterious.
    Excited, I tried to zip up the back but couldn’t quite reach it. As I twisted to try, my eyes caught less attractive angles and my mood darkened.
    “This is why catalogs show things in only the most flattering ways,” I muttered. But since I had it on, I figured I should at least show Rose. She’d been so nice throughout the morning.
    I poked my head out of the dressing room but she wasn’t there. Trey was, however. He was sitting on a bench with a tablet in one hand and a beer in the other.
    “What are you doing?”
    He grinned without looking up at me. “Working.”
    I shook my head. “Nice job you got there, slick.”
    “Don’t I know it. Do you…” he trailed off as his head lifted to take me in. “Are you naked?”
    I laughed. “No, silly. I’ve got a dress on. Well, mostly on. I can’t reach the zipper and Rose says you have to see it completely composed to get the effect.”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Do you see her?”
    “She just went upstairs I think. I can zip you up, if you want.”
    I hesitated. I still felt weird about the idea of him buying me a dress, but I did need it if I was going to go back to the club to get more information about my sister. And it would be rude to not allow him to see what he might be buying.
    “Okay. Let me put some shoes on first, though. So I don’t look so short in this.”
    Trey rolled his eyes. “Women. Fine, go ahead.”
    I went back into the dressing room and stepped into the heels Rose had pulled in my size so I could see how everything looked in heels. Part of that full composition she kept going on about. The height boost did help. My legs looked longer and more elegant, giving a nicer line. I tilted my head to the side and scrutinized my reflection.
    The dress really was amazing. Thin straps over my shoulders