“Um, hi.” She knows who I am?

“Let’s look at you, hmm.” She gives me a once over, then turns around, heading to a display rack. What’s going on right now?

“Should I, uh, follow you?” I ask, stepping toward her cautiously.

“Yes, yes.” She beckons me forward, stopping at a silk red dress not too far off in design from the one I ruined. “From what the gentleman described on the phone, I believe this may be to your liking?”

I blink at her, confused. “I thought I was picking up something.”

“Right,” she says, still smiling. “A dress.”

I hold up a finger. “Could you give me a moment?”

“Of course. I’ll be by the register if you need me.”

I pull out my phone and text Connor.

Me:You didn’t.

Connor:I said I’d buy you a new one. Get whatever you want and use the company card. You deserve it.

I bite my lip, keeping my grin contained. He set this up for me?

I stroke the silky fabric, imagining it on me, the way it’ll hug my curves, the bottom gently twirling around my legs. Will Connor’s eyes widen when he sees me in this?

I check that it’s my size and carry it over to the register. “Is it okay if I try this on?”

“Fitting rooms are right over here, hon,” she calls out, already walking toward the door where a new customer has walked in.

I take it in, closing the curtain behind me, and undress, wishing I had my shapewear with me to tighten everything up. I slip the dress on, contorting my arms to get the back zipper pulled up, and survey myself in the three-way mirror. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Pulling out my phone, I snap a quick picture on impulse and send it to Connor, asking what he thinks. I blush a moment later as I read his response.

Connor:Are you going to wear that for me tonight?

His invitation to his hotel room hasn’t been far from my mind since he extended it yesterday.

Me:Maybe…

It’s okay to flirt over text, right? I’m not technically in the office. And it’s not in person. I’d felt awful enough pushing to do stuff at work and then getting caught like that by Dave.

Connor:I can’t wait to take it off you.

All right, definitely okay to flirt.

“Can I help with anything?” the sales associate asks from outside the fitting room.

My head jerks up, breaking the fantasy already forming in my mind about me, him, and this dress. “No, I’m good.”

I change back into my shirt and skirt, unable to keep the goofy grin off my face. Connor wants to see me in this dress. Wants to peel it off me, in fact.

“How’d it fit?” she asks as I exit.

“Great.” Connor seemed to enjoy it, at least.

“Will you be purchasing it today?”

I hesitate for a moment. I never even checked the price tag and a dress like that can’t come cheap.