Page 36 of Autumn's Coming

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

* * * * *

Dinner was perfect.

Cody picked a steakhouse—nice food, but not an eveningwear kind of place. He bought me a delicious dinner. Conversation was easy, comfortable between us. I told him about my mom, my childhood; he talked to me about his business and some of his friends. We discussed hobbies, interests. Surprisingly, we had similar taste in music, and talked about some concerts we could go see together.

It felt like we’d been together for years already.

When we were finished, Cody looked at me, smiling. “Come on. We’re not done yet.”

“We’re not? Where are we going?”

“You need a dress for the wedding.”

I groaned. “I told you not to buy me clothes.”

“Just this once. I’d rather not show up tomorrow without a date, since I already RSVP’d for one.”

I groaned again. “Cody…”

“Please?”

I didn’t want to disappoint him, and it would be even worse if I showed up wearing something inappropriate. “All right. Fine.”

“Good.”

He took my arm and walked me out to the car.

Twenty minutes later, we parked in front of a boutique store. I knew it by name, but had never been inside. It was too expensive for me.

I looked at him. “No.”

“Yes. It’s a black-tie wedding. You need an appropriate dress and shoes.”

I sighed. “Fine. One dress. And if I have shoes that go with it already, I’ll wear those.”

“Fine. But if not…”

“Yes, I’ll let you buy me shoes.”

He smiled and led me inside.

The boutique was incredible. I’d never been anywhere so glamorous. Elegant dresses were displayed on mannequins, all of them made of decadent fabrics and heavily embellished with lace, embroidery, and rhinestones.

I immediately gravitated toward a midnight blue dress made of sheer fabric. The skirt had just a slight train to it, and the open back was trimmed in the softest lace I’d ever touched. The high neckline kept it from being too risqué for a wedding. It was styled with strappy satin sandals, a delicate clutch purse, and jewelry with matching blue stones.

The whole ensemble was breathtaking.

I was vaguely aware of Cody speaking to a shopkeeper, but all I could focus on was this dress. It was like something out of a dream.

I had to have it on my body.

Cody approached with an older woman. She smiled at me, guiding me to the back to take some measurements. She walked into the back and returned with the dress, wrapped in plastic to keep it clean.

She helped me slip into it and fastened the neck, the hook just below my waist.

I looked in the mirror, gasping softly.

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