Page 77 of Crushes and Confections

Except for the dresses, of course.

Those Dawn had arranged first by occasion, then color. But I didn’t need to pilfer through the racks searching out sizes. This was not my first visit and my favorite boutique owner was likely expecting me. We had a long history of finding Claire the perfect dresses.

And nothing made me happier than seeing Claire wear her dresses with confidence. It had her holding her head a bit higher and owning her beauty. To me, that was everything.

A stage with mirrors surrounding it on three sides sat in the center with an array of couches around it for brides to show off their choices. But Cherry & Cheer had far more than lacy white dresses on hand. They had some of the best styles I’d seen in any store.

“Ah, Riley,” Dawn cried out and rushed over, giving me air kisses on each cheek before greeting the alphas. “And the alphas I’ve been hearing so much about. You’ve chosen well, this one is one of my favorite customers.”

“You know I love coming in here, Dawn. We are here to find a dress for my favorite girl,” I told her. She was all business then, confirming the size before rushing off. When Dawn was given a task, she was like a hound dog on a scent trail.

“What do we do?” Vance hissed. Before I could answer, two of her workers came in with three flutes of champagne, passing them out and disappearing again. I took a sip of mine, loving the sweet bubbly drink.

“We sit,” I told them. “Dawn always spoils me like this,” I confirmed as I took a sip of the pink champagne.

The first round, Dawn always showed me all of her new favorites in Claire’s size, then I narrowed down ideas after that. This was always her favorite part, and it always gave me ideas for future occasions.

“I found the best ones to show off, I knew you’d be coming,” she gushed as she struggled under the giant stack of dresses. Without a word, her assistants were there, taking some of the burden and laying them across the couches across from us.

“This one came in this week,” She held up a sparkling gold number. I could already see Claire would hate it from the pencil skirt, she didn’t like how constrictive they were, and her clumsiness would be an issue.

“Lovely, but not for Claire,” I told her. She huffed playfully, but I could tell from her exasperated smile that she knew it was coming.

“Then this one I’m sure you’ll love more,” she continued as she pulled out a much shorter and flowing dress. It was a soft baby pink with a skirt that flared out like a tutu. Cute… but again, not for my Claire Bear.

“No,” Vance said for me. I shot him a glare and he shrugged, unapologetic. “We get veto power, I’ve just decided.”

“You’re going to be a difficult project today, aren’t you,” Dawn said knowingly. “Good thing I know you, Riley. And I do love a challenge.”

“I trust you,” I told her confidently. “Now, what is that emerald green lacy dress I see peeking out?” She smirked, knowing damn well I’d want to see that one and hiding it under others for later. Green complimented my sweet omega well.

“You sneaky boy,” she said as she pulled it out and held it up. It was off the shoulder and a jade green. The material was a soft satin that had a subtle shimmer to it. It cinched at the waist, and the skirt would hang just below her knees.

“We’ll take that, even if not for the dance,” Adrien said without hesitation. I couldn’t even be mad at them for being too opinionated, it was a solid choice. She’d look stunning in it, and the dress was the perfect mix of fancy and understated, so she could use it more than just for random formal events.

“You’re so lucky you’re cute and that dress is gorgeous,” I warned him. “I’m supposed to be the one with good taste, remember?”

“Oh you are,” he laughed. “I just know that with that color and her gorgeous hair, I’ll be a goner.”

“Well, good thing I already planned ahead and grabbed a sexy little lingerie set in that exact color for under her dress,” I sang out quietly as Dawn rushed off to put the dress on the counter for her assistants to wrap up for later.

“You’re a menace,” Vance declared. "Now all I’m going to be thinking about is how fucking gorgeous she’ll be once we take this dress off. Lace over her soft, beautiful curves, splayed out against our sheets and ready to be fucked.”

“Behave,” Adrien warned in a gruff voice. “We are not alone.”

Dawn came back in with a flourish and a fresh stack of dresses.

“I knew this was for the sweetheart dance, so now that you’ve seen some of my favorites, I have some amazing choices,” she promised. “Red, lace, sequins, plunging necklines.” She held up each one before draping them over the back of the couch.

“Thoughts?” I asked Vance and Adrien. The choice was already made but I was curious for their opinions as well.

“The red is nice,” Vance said with a bit of uncertainty. His choice had a transparent torso and sweetheart neckline. It was pretty but not at all Claire’s style.

“Black,” Adrien offered as he stared at them, considering them carefully. “The Pink isn’t bad, but the sequins are a bit flashy for our girl. I can already imagine her curls catching in them.”

He wasn’t wrong about that assessment. The sequins were double layered, and a few were sticking out. Usually Dawn’s dresses were better made, but during big events like holidays she got extra choices so she could fit everyone’s budget.

“And what is the winner?” Vance mused. “Because I know that you already chose.”

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