"How about this one?" said Connie. She stepped out of the dressing room in a red dress she wasn't too sure about.
"That's beautiful," said Jason.
"That's what you said about the last five."
"I told you, as long as you're in them, you're all I see."
"But I can't just wear anything to the party."
"Why not? They won't care."
"They're high society. That's what they care about."
"That and national government."
She frowned. "That's another thing. Maybe we should just skip this party and have a night on the town instead. I'm not exactly…a government type. I won't know what they're talking about." A pang of panic pierced her when she thought of it. How had she dared to come here? She'd gotten all caught up in the excitement of it, her first real night out after…everything. And it hadn't hit her until she was on the flight over that she wasn't really cut out for this type of thing. Parties, sure. But an ambassador's reception? She'd make a fool out of herself. Not know which fork to use and that kind of thing. Trip on her high heels probably.
"Connie, a lot of their wives and husbands and others will be there."
"They're still a part of that life."
"A bunch of Agency people will be there. They're not exactly conventional….though they do know how to blend in. We can sit with people I know, and you can only talk to me if you want. Everyone will rave about the mysterious belle of the ball." He smiled. "Besides, you do fit in. You are the wife of an agent—or a wife of an ex-agent. You have a right to be mysterious."
"I'll probably just fall on my face."
"Just stay close to me. It'll be our night. We'll have fun together and won't care about anything else. If anyone bothers you, I'll protect you."
The fierce look in his eyes sent tingles through her. He looked ravishing now, in his casual clothes—she couldn't wait to see him in his suit tonight.
She wished she could step up to him and kiss him but there were people in the store. Who cared. But…there would be time for that later.
"I'll just try on this one more dress and then we can go to a different store."
"Okay."
She swept back into the dressing room and took the glittering blue dress off the hanger. It was gorgeous—a little too much so. It'd bury her in its beauty. But maybe that was the point. Still, it was probably too expensive. She'd just try it on for fun.
She took off the dress she was wearing and slipped into the other one. The zipper was hard to pull all the way up in the back, but with a bit of contortion she made it.
She stepped back and looked in the mirror. For a moment, she didn't recognize herself; the image in the mirror looked like a modern-day princess. Of course, her hair was a bit messy and staticky from trying on the dresses. But otherwise—wow. It fit her in all the right places, and the color brought out the blue tints in her eyes, and the magnificent flare of the skirt would be perfect for dancing. Ah, to dance with Jason on the dance floor….let everything else melt away except his eyes, his touch….
She looked at the price tag and gasped. "No, I can't get this one," she said under her breath, disappointment hitting her. It was so perfect….Well, sometimes it was fun to try on clothes even if you weren't going to buy them. Where else would she wear this, anyway?
She stepped out of the dressing room. Jason looked up from his iPhone. At first he just stared at her. Then he said, "That's it. That's the dress."
She twirled slowly around for him, reveling in the feel of the fabric, its rustle, its glitter. For a moment, she could pretend that she would keep it.
He stood and laid his hand lightly on her back, just above where the fabric met her skin. He took her hand in his, gazing into her eyes. He swept her slowly around and then tipped her backwards, as if the finale of a dance.
"Ah!" she cried, surprised. A couple people in the store looked at them.
He tipped her back up and kissed her on the lips. "That's just a taste of what we'll do tonight."
"I can't wait."
"I'll have to fight off a few guys for you."
She frowned. "I can't get this dress, though."
"Why not?"
"It's too expensive." She showed him the tag.
He barely looked at it. "The price doesn't matter."
"Are you crazy?"
"I told you, I want to treat you."
"But can we afford this?"
"We can't afford to live like this all the time. But tonight—we're going all out. If this is really the one you want, I'll get it."
"Well…" She looked down at its shimmering sapphire blue. "I do want it. It's not something I'll ever wear again, though."
"Who knows. If you have fun tonight, maybe we can come out here occasionally."
She fingered its fabric, a little hesitant still. "But is it too much? Maybe I should get something less…showy."
"You deserve a dress that's fit for a queen." He took her hand and bowed over it, kissing it.
"Jason, we're in a store."
"I don't care. You're the only one here to me."
She went back into the dressing room and changed into her shirt, pants and boots. Now she'd have to find some shoes to go with the dress. Her head spun. She could hardly believe he was getting this dress for her. But delight spilled through her when she thought of it.
In a different store, she bought some blue strappy high heels to go with the dress. Jason assured her that he'd get anything—within reason, of course, not some haute couture thing. She assumed, anyway. She didn't want to press her advantage too much.
As she was walking out of the massive shoe store, she spied a jewelry store and they went over to look at it just for fun. In the window glittered a necklace with a brilliant sapphire. It caught her eye at once and she stood mesmerized at the iridescent fire blazing inside of it, almost like it had a glowing heart of its own. It would go perfect with her dress. But she didn't want Jason to think she wanted it—he'd already done so much. So she stepped back and walked along the aisle looking at the other rings and necklaces, only half seeing them, the sapphire still gleaming in her mind.
Jason caught up with her. She doubted he actually enjoyed shopping; they should get back to the hotel anyway and get ready.
"Do you want anything in here?" he asked.
"No, I don't need anything."
"That sapphire would match your dress."
"It's too extravagant, Jason."
"I've hardly gotten you anything, though, if you think about it. Our life together has already been unconventional….I haven't even gotten you any jewelry."
"I want you for you, not what you can give me."
"Tonight is our night. If you want it, just say the word."
"Well…I suppose….."
"Great!" He strode over to the counter and asked the clerk to open the case. The man laid it in a golden box and Jason paid for it. Then they left the store, Connie dazzled at the whirlwind turn of events, the beautiful things she possessed, made all the more beautiful because of his love.