Chapter 16 – What She Never Had
Tyana and Jeff walked the mall together, dipping into stores that held items for them both, rather than just one.
"I'm gonna go use the bathroom, ok?" Jeff informed her, placing his hand beneath her shoulder blades, as they neared one. Tyana nodded and told him she would wait here for him. He dashed off, leaving her alone, so she looked around interestedly. Eventually her eyes fell upon the manikins in the windows of the store she stood in front of and she began to admire a particular ensemble that consisted of a black tank top with red, orange and yellow flames licking at it from the hem upwards with a pair of baggy low hipped pants. She adored them instantly, but what she loved even more was the outfit that the manikin in the very corner was wearing. Tyana moved to stand in front of it and then smiled as she looked it up and down. It was a cute black dress with a floaty full skirt and clinging bodice. The bodice was lined with beads and glitter that trailed down towards the skirt but slowly became scattered and eventually disappeared before it went past her stomach. It had two spaghetti straps and the neck line was straight and nicely cut. It was so simple and yet so beautiful. Tyana had never had a dress such as that, and she wanted it instantly. Wanted what she never had. Her fingers rose to the glass, pressing against it gently as she continued to stare at the dress.
Jeff washed his hands and then strolled out of the rest room and back out into the main mall, turning to head back towards the gorgeous woman he had come with. He had only taken a few sure strides in her direction before he saw her standing at the very window of a store, gazing inside in awe at what appeared to be a dress. Jeff paused a moment, capturing how much she seemed to want it, the very look on her face telling him so. He couldn't help but imagine her in it. The thought nearly knocked him out cold. He strolled over as if he wasn't so struck by the image of her in such a piece.
"Back"
Tyana jumped out of her reverie at the sound of his voice but then smiled, "Ok, where'd ya wanna go now?"
Jeff smiled and jerked his head towards the dress in the window, "Try it on" It wasn't a question; he intended to make her do so. She seemed to adore it too much to simply let her walk on past.
"What?" she looked back over at it and Jeff's smile grew when he saw her eyes soften. She shook it off, "No, no, I couldn't. I don't want to bore you. Let's go somewhere we'll both like"
"I wouldn't be bored. Come on, come try it on" he took her hand and turned, pulling it gently. He melted when he felt her squeeze it a little as he pulled her with him into the store. From inside he looked back at the manikin in the window to get another look at the dress so that he could remember it exactly and find it easily within the store. But he noticed another outfit in the window, with flames, and turned back to Tyana, giving her a quick once over. She blushed a little.
"D'ya like the flame thing too?" she nodded a small innocent nod. He just smiled at her.
"Ok, well let's get you kitted out then" Together they wandered the length and breath of the store, picking out things they wanted her to try on. Finally they made it to the changing rooms where Jeff sat outside and waited patiently for her to appear in the first outfit. She was surprisingly quick at changing—so much more so than Amy—and the curtains flew open as she stepped outside of the cubicle with a giggle, doing a little turn in the flame top and black low hipped pants. Jeff nodded his approval instantly, loving how it hugged the curves of her hips and thighs.
"You like?" she asked cutely before jumping out in front of the mirrored wall and inspecting herself.
"Very much so. You?"
"Yeah, I do"
"Ok, put that on the pile of clothes to buy then and bring out the next one" Tyana smiled at him then vanished into the cubicle again to change. Time seemed to fly by as Tyana bounced out of that dressing room in outfit after outfit. Some of them were deliberately atrocious, just so they could get a laugh out of them, while others she seriously liked, but either way she always seemed to carry such a sexy air that let her pull them off. If it was up to Jeff he would have made her buy everything, even the things she had made clear she would never really wear, but it wasn't his money so he hushed up and just made it obvious how stunning he thought she was. Tyana, in result, ending up blushing several times over as she scampered back to the cubical. Finally she was trying on the dress that had captured her attention so well and Jeff couldn't wait for her to step outside so he could see it. She seemed to be taking a long time—or perhaps he was becoming impatient—so he called out curiously.
"Ty, how's it going in there?" there was silence for a moment but then she answered by stepping out from behind the curtains.
Jeff sucked in a sharp breath when he saw her and fought the urge to babble incoherently like an absolute idiot. Tyana stood staring at him, bare foot, in the dress, looking so beautiful and innocent and mind-blowing. Each curve she had was accentuated and her eyes shone out brightly over the black. She looked stunning!
"Whatcha think?" she asked in a small voice, anxious over his reaction.
Jeff got slowly to his feet and then held his hand out for her to come closer. She laughed as she did so then delicately placed her hand in his; perfect fit. He spun her out, watching as the skirt flowed around her then spun her back in, letting her twirl right into his arms, making her blush. He stared down into her bright violet eyes, smiling warmly,
"You look wonderful" Tyana slowly backed out of his grip with a smile and pink cheeks. "You really look beautiful" Her cheeks just continued to glow brighter, making him think she was just adorable.
"Thank you" She stared at him for a prolonged moment with a smile then turned and admired the outfit in the mirrored wall. She sighed. Jeff's brow creased at her sad smile.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…I just kinda wish I could have it, I never had a dress like this" she shrugged to make it seem as if it all wasn't a big deal to her. It clearly was.
"What're you talking about? Of course you can have it"
She shook her head, "No, it's far too expensive, I can't afford it"
"Well I'll buy it for you then" She swished the skirt about a bit before raising her eyes to meet his in the mirror, her violet orbs shining at his generosity.
"I can't possibly let you do that. It costs so much…and besides, you hardly know me" She went to go back to her cubicle, wanting to take it off before she got too attached. Jeff caught her arm gently, causing her to turn to him. He stared deep into her eyes.
"Maybe so but I certainly want to" Tyana tried her best not to faint at the way he was gazing upon her, intensely, seriously. She wanted this dress so bad—not nearly as much as she wanted him—but she couldn't let him do something such as that for her. She shook her head again, making sure to make her shakes soft but firm.
"I appreciate it but I can't let you."
"You can, you just don't want to" he said pointedly. "Tyana if you're concerned about manners or whatever else, forget it, I want you to have the dress" His arm was still holding hers so softly, squeezing it very gently when he said something he truly meant.
For a moment she found herself lost in those green eyes of his, swimming in the sea of emerald, awash with his soul. She struggled against the tide to snap back to reality. A small sigh escaped her lips, "Jeff, even if I did get it, what would be the point? I don't have anywhere to wear it"
"Sure you do, I'll take you to dinner" her eyes went big, even a little watery, at how sweet he was being. He stroked his thumb against her elbow, "Somewhere nice, you can wear the dress. Come on" he smiled cutely, trying to coax her into it, "you know you want to"
Tyana bit her lip, finding she could do nothing but gaze at him with large eyes. "I can't believe I'm saying this…" she muttered quietly, a tiny smile playing on her lips, "but are you sure?"
Jeff's lips curved in triumph, "Absolutely"
So Tyana relented, "Ok, but I'll pay you back" he finally let go of her arm as he shook his head.
"No way, it's a gift"
"Jeff, please, I—"
"Tyana" he looked at her sternly, but with a caring smile, "It's a gift. Now go get changed, we'll ring all this up" With one last glance at him, and a wide smile, she bounced into the cubical. With the sound of the dress's zip sliding undone, Jeff sat down, glad he had agreed to spend the day with her.
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*A/N* Woohoo, College was great. Although today was just sooo hectic and, omg. Lol. Although I must mention now that I probably won't be updating on Monday's or Tuesday's because I have no time to write or really even post a chapter as I get stuck out of the house until almost 7. Hopefully you'll all understand that. But hey, maybe, if you're lucky I'll somehow manage an update on those days anyway. Shadow thanks again for reviewing. Great to hear the boys will be in Making Their Way, I'll be looking forward to that. Thanks for also suggestion the Humanity's conscience series to your friend, it was so sweet. Thanks :o)
