Page 28 of Bargain With the Boss
“Wait, Xavier!” Van’s voice lifted.
“I’ll be right back,” I said over my shoulder.
I slipped out the door, the bell ringing behind me as I merged into oncoming pedestrian traffic. She was obviously on a mission, but she stuttered to a stop outside Vintage December.
It was enough to allow me to catch up.
“Would suit you,” I said when I followed her eye line.It was a soft and feminine dress on display.
She startled, then frowned at me. “No it wouldn’t.”
“Sure it would.” I hooked my arm through hers and urged her through the doors.
“Xavier.” She tried to wiggle free, but I kept her at my side.
A stunning blond appeared almost instantly. She had a wide smile and when she moved, a swirl of ruby red and purple peeked from the underside of her thick hair. It matched the flowy skirt of her dress and jangle of silver bangles that stacked her forearms. “Welcome in.”
“Uh, thanks.” Sydney quickly switched from annoyed to polite.
“Hey, Ember. Nice to see you.”
“You too, Xavier. Can I help you two with anything?”
“Yes, the dress in the window.”
“No,” Sydney tried to interject.
“Is that a one of a kind or do you have others?”
Ember grinned. “One of a kind.”
“And I’m sure it won’t fit,” Sydney said firmly. “I don’t need it.”
“Do weneedanything?” Ember’s voice was smooth and rich. “But lucky for you I’m also a tailor.”
Sydney looked uncertain before she hid it under her usual cool veneer.
“I think it would look amazing on her and be a helluva lot cooler than what she’s wearing.”
Ember stepped closer. “Well, I’m sure the Me + Em line has a more breathable wool for summer, but those are for a more temperate climate.”
Surprised, Sydney’s mouth dropped. “How did you know?”
“It’s my business to know. I have a few pairs myself, but it’s a bit too pricey for my shop with the markup. I’d be happy to tailor them for you if you wanted though. It’s a bit loose here.” She lightly touched Sydney’s waist. “You cinched that lovely Dior belt to cover it.”
Sydney glanced down. “I can never quite get the right fit with my wider hips.”
“Your hips are perfect,” I muttered under my breath.
She glanced at me, her cheeks flushing lightly before returning her attention on Ember. “They are too wide for my waist.”
“Not too wide, just how your body is made. Many clothes are created with a hanger in mind and that’s stupid. Which is why I’m the best tailor in over a hundred miles.” Ember moved past her to the mannequin in the window and quickly pulled it down, swapping it with another that was in the corner.
“Oh, you don’t need to?—”
Ember fussed with it, centering it in the window then quickly swapped a few accessories to match.“Don’t be silly. This dress is supposed to bring people into my place. It did its job and now another one will do the same.” She swept the dress up and over the headless mannequin. “Now, let’s see if it works with you.”
Sydney fingered the fabric when Ember handed it over to her. It had dozens of sheer layers that worked together to make a more opaque silhouette.
