Page 47 of Jake

“Why can’t we just stay in?” Lauren whined.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with Jake, but she felt out of place looking at these dresses and going out with him to this more than upscale restaurant.

“Because he wants to take you out and show you off, so pick something.” Catherine waved at the dresses laid out for her.

“Nothing seems enough.” Her dresses weren’t the type that women wore to these restaurants. There were inexpensive things she’d bought to attend galas with Catherine and Cade, but she faded into the back there, unlike tonight.

Catherine clapped her hands excitedly, as she did whenever someone came around to her ideas. “Let’s go to my closet.”

Reluctant but resigned, Lauren followed. She needed something to wear because she was going to go out with Jake tonight even if it wasn’t her favorite thing.

Catherine was giddy as she pulled dresses out of her closet. Tossing several on her bed, she went back for more.

“This is too much, just let me look,” Lauren pleaded.

“No, I have it. I’ve never even worn this one because it didn’t fit me right, but I think it would be perfect for you,” Catherine called from the closet.

She exited with a dark-green dress, floor-length with spaghetti straps, holding it up with one hand and draped over her other arm, keeping it off the floor.

Lauren had to admit, Catherine was right. It was perfect. The satin material would shine in the lights but wouldn’t do the same as the glitter or sequins on some of the other dresses.

“It’s perfectly classy and yet understatedly elegant. Plus, on your skin tone, it’s going to look great. Go try it on.”

“I don’t think I need to. This is it,” Lauren told her, taking the dress.

“That’s true. Go get ready so you can put it on and keep it on,” Catherine said, still smiling.

“I’m going.”

She carefully laid the dress across her own bed as she went to shower. The dress was definitely improving her opinion on going out tonight, as she knew she could look the part. She didn’t want to borrow from Catherine, but it was too perfect to even be upset about it.

Quickly showering and wrapping herself in her robe, she set about doing her makeup and hair. Catherine joined her after a few minutes, helping her to add curls.

“Okay, put it on now. I want to see!” Smiling, Catherine held the dress out to her again. “I’m going to go down the hall so you can do a grand entrance.”

Just like she always did, Catherine had steamrolled her, and before she had a chance to process what happened, she was gone.

She held the dress out, taking it in before stepping into it. There was no back to the dress. Backless wasn’t accurate; it was just gone. The dress hit her just above the mark that would have made it indecent.

Looking in the mirror, she spun side to side, looking at the dress that fit her like it was made for her. There were few things she’d take as gifts and even less as expensive as this dress, but if Catherine never wanted it back, she’d thank her and keep it with a smile on her face.

Picking up the shoes, she placed them on the floor by the mirror and stepped into them. The black heels were perfect for this dress.

“I’m coming,” Lauren called down the hall as she opened her door.

Slowly, she made her way down the short hall to find Catherine. The dress with the heels on was just short of the floor, keeping her from having to lift it as she walked.

“You look amazing,” came Jake’s amazed voice as she entered the living room. “Not that you don’t always, but wow.”

He looked her up and down, and she spun so he could see the back. It felt like a prom date with Catherine acting the part of chaperone.

“Catherine, I might have to kick you out of your place so we can stay in,” Jake said as he walked to Lauren.

“Jake,” she scolded, swatting his arm as he got closer.

“Nope, you two are going out and there’s no curfew,” she teased.

“Maybe you should pack a bag.” Jake raised an eyebrow at her.

---