Page 58 of Love on Tour
“Fine. Give them to me.” She ducked into a dressing room.
“Try the black one on first,” Julianna said.
“Got it,” Christine said, stepping into the black one.
She looked in the mirror. The dress was shorter than she was used to, but it swayed nicely above her lower thighs. It was light and airy, and it would be comfortable for sitting and walking while still looking elegant. The shoulders were open, revealing her smooth skin, with bell sleeves that ended in cuffs. There was only one problem. It was tight around her midsection. She frowned at her reflection.
“I can’t pull this off. I don’t have the abs for it,” Christine said, refusing to come out of the dressing room. She shrugged out of the dress.
“Don’t move and do not hang up that dress,” Julianna said, rushing out of the dressing room area. She returned minutes later, sliding an item under the dressing room door.
“What’s this?”
“Spanx. The secret weapon of practically everyone in town. Put it on, then put the dress back on. And don’t give me an eye roll,” Julianna said.
Christine knew Julianna couldn’t see her, but she gave an eye roll anyway and did as she was told.
“Holy crap! I’ve heard about these but never believed they worked,” Christine said, admiring the way her tummy had flattened under the dress.
“Yep.”
“And there are no telltale lines,” Christine said, turning back and forth in front of the mirror.
“Open up the door and let me see.”
Christine obliged.
Julianna’s jaw hung open. “Stunning, Christine. Absolutely stunning.”
“Thanks.” Christine blushed. She looked at Phoebe and couldn’t get a read on her expression. Christine wasn’t going to beg for a compliment. She turned to head back into the dressing room.
“It looks beautiful on you, Christine,” Phoebe said.
Christine cocked her head and looked Phoebe in the eyes. She saw sincerity. “Thank you, Phoebe.”
Christine chose two more dresses and made her purchase.
“Anyone up for a bite to eat?” Phoebe asked.
“I think I’m going to head home. Shopping is a bit stressful for me,” Christine said. She knew that as a woman she was supposed to love shopping. But when you were tight on money and insecure with your body, it was a different experience.
“Are you sure?” Julianna said.
“I am. Thanks for including me in this girls’ night out. It was more fun than I expected. Enjoy your dinner,” Christine said.
Christine loved the black dress. As she drove home, she tried to envision a scene in which Matt would see her in it.
THAT SCENE CAME TO LIFE ATthe BMI Awards, which was held the night before the CMA Awards to honor the songs and songwriters.
The ceremony was held in the parking garage of the BMI building. It took hard work to transform a regular parking garage into a glitz-and-glamour awards room. Workers spent days setting up a stage and lighting. The lighting is what made it special. Along with stage lighting for the performers, the room lights sparkled blue and red, giving a romantic ambience to the evening. Tables, draped with white tablecloths and adorned with floral centerpieces, were arranged to maximize the number of people who could attend. Bars were set up on both sides of the room, fully stocked with liquor served by tuxedo-wearing bartenders. Rick had purchased a table for his employees, and Christine and Julianna made sure to sit next to each other.
“How do they do this every year?” Christine asked Julianna, who looked stunning in a gold dress with a plunging neckline and a hem that fell perfectly mid-thigh.
“Transform a parking garage into the glitziest place in Nashville? I have no idea. They work on it for weeks. Look at those chandeliers. Probably cost more than most cars,” Julianna said.
“My car for sure.”
“Do you think ‘Promises to Me’ will win?” Julianna asked.
