While Chloe took some time to get dressed I decided to wander around. I knew she was going to need a few minutes to cope with what had transpired in the fitting area so I contented myself with looking at dresses. None of them looked like Chloe but all of them did look like the image she wanted to create for George.
"May I help you with something?" This brunette's name tag red 'Nashville' and she was smiling in a flirtatious manner.
"I was just looking. Uh Nashville."
"That isn't really my name it's Sho..oh never mind. Are you looking for something specific? If you tell me about the girl I can find the perfect dress for you, it's a knack I have. Zaye says it's uncanny. "
"Well. She's perky and fun. A girl you can tell your darkest secret to and she won't look at you differently after. She is somewhat independent and impish. Her eyes light up over the smell of coffee or when she is talking about something she loves. She chews on her pencils when she gets nervous, loves a good book to read in a bubble bath to relax and has a smile that can blast a light in the darkest room. She is the kind of girl that doesn't blink for fear of missing something. She has endless wit and a font of unending knowledge that can leave a man speechless. She is savvy, smart, sassy and snarky. The only person to rely on in a pinch and always know she will be there. She is slow to anger but quick to defend what she believes in or take up a banner for the downtrodden with a fiery passion. She is beautiful and has no idea that her inner being is complemented by her outward loveliness. She is not spiteful or boastful. Her name itself is an epithet for a Greek goddess and she embodies it well. She is as perfect as one of flesh and blood can get. Do you have a dress for that?"
"Ummm. Well..wow your fiancé is one lucky duck. Let me see what I can pull from all of that soul spilling. She is romantic and flirty and spunky. Let's just cut it down to that because darlin' we can't fit all of what you said into a dress."
'Nashville' waded into the sea of dresses and after a few moments pulled out three to bring back to me. The first two were hopeless but the third one was Chloe to the point I knew it had been made for her to wear. It was unconventional with its spaghetti straps so thin that you could barely see them. The bodice rounded off over the high bust with plunging neckline. The fabric for the top was soft and shiny like the inside of a clam shell. The bust would fit tight and fall into a small pooling train in the back made from the same pearly white material. The flirty part of the dress was in the four strips of cloth that created the bell shape. It was two strips of the shinny textile overlapping an almost shear gauze. It looked like an upside down exotic flower. It was Ms. Chloe Sullivan to a T.
"When she returns to do more fitting will you have this dress with the rest of her choices. But can you sneak it in?"
"Sure I can have that arranged. I'll have Marti take care of that for you. She has been here for awhile and has some pull. Plus she is a really sweet girl and would love to help you surprise your gal."
I should have corrected her assumption but I didn't think the dress would make it to Chloe if they knew I was just a friend tampering with one of their clients possible purchases.
"I'll go talk to Marti now but before I go is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Thank you no, the client's name is Chloe Sullivan and she is on her way over here right now." She pivoted away just as Chloe got close enough to catch a quick look at the dress. I needed a distraction.
"Coffee. You look like you need a drink and a strong one at that. I owe you one"
"Mmm maybe add a dollop of brandy to it at this rate. Nah, that would taint the quality. Yes I do need one and I need it right now."
I waggled my brows at her in Groucho Marx style and opened my mouth to make a comment but she cut me off.
"Let's just go."
I tried my hardest not to keep looking over at her while I drove. I failed miserably and made the swerves to prove it. After she issued a crack about my driving I kept my eyes on the road. Actually I stopped veering off course and didn't let her catch me with my eyes on her.
'Jacques' Sinful Bean' walked all over Starbucks according to Chloe and its high quality coffee was just what she needed. When she ordered a triple espresso I knew I had rattled her well. I rushed to finish our delayed conversation but she held up a hand and took a deep breath of her aromatic drink. After taking a long sip off it like an addict feenin' finally gifted with her fix she nodded her assent for me to continue.
"If I could stop how I feel about you I would. It's not the most romantic thing to say but I see how happy you are and part of me doesn't want to ruin that. The last time I saw you like this was too long ago at the spring formal with me…and you were even happier." If not for my super hearing I would have missed her quietly grumble, "Good thing George didn't ask you to be a groomsmen after all." She paused and took a sip.
"I gave up and started believing what I said about only being friends with you. I couldn't wait forever. You always looked at me but never saw me Clark."
"Well I am being punished now because I can't stop myself from looking and I want to look for as long as I breathe."
Her brow wrinkled. "I don't know Clark after all this time are you sure there isn't something weird going on like in the old…er, "She made a funny face and amended to "Normal days." Chloe trailed a tapered nail over the circle of the cup's rim. It was hypnotic, that feminine digit swirling in a leisure pattern. The little spark of desire shot through me again.
"Nothing weird going on..you can search me if you like." I held my arms out and grinned an 'I dare you.' at her.
"Clark I gave you all the chances in the world. I laid my heart at your feet and you walked all over it in your huge muddy boots." She said this with a wobbly smile.
I wanted to cry but the man of steel has no room for tears.
"I won't let you go." I dropped my arms and implored her with my azure gaze. "I know part of you still wants me or you would not have almost ripped my clothes off while we kissed. And it was a mutual kiss Chloe."
She shrugged. "Maybe I'm suffering from cold feet?"
"I know better Chloe. You won't stop loving someone once you start."
"You're right, I love George."
That cut me deeper than an emerald sliver of rock from my home planet.
"I guess you do but tell me Chloe, would you have kissed me the way you did if you had loved him how you should? You always kiss me that way and it hasn't changed. What does that say?" I reached over to place her hand in mine. That action held a little sense of déjà vu.
"Are you going to be like this after the wedding?" I was encouraged when she left her hand in mine.
"Nothing is final until death and even that doesn't hold true in regards of you." I fell silent to study her. She looked twisted in not knowing what to say or to feel. I sighed. "To answer your question, No. Once upon a time I would have. Heck my past actions speak for that. Whereas I did do that with Lana I feel deeper for you, deep enough that I place you first."
"When I say "I do" you will stop and we fall back into great friends again right?"
I wanted to yell 'NO!' like an impudent child instead I nodded.
"Well than we have nothing to worry about." She flashed a bright smile.
"On the contrary Chloe, I have exactly every second of two weeks to make you comprehend that you belong with me. You won't be saying "I do" to anyone but me after that time is up."
Just an fyi for anyone who is curious, Chloe epithet I referred to: Greek goddess Demeter.