Page 93 of A Taste of Torment
I shake my head at the massive selection of dresses. Does she have a full-time designer or something? And the fact that she’ll give me free choice over them is wild.
She pulls out another dark green gown that’s simpler than the last. Smooth silk with a low neckline—but nowhere near as deep as the last—and few embellishments. She also selects a black and white gown that I don’t get a long glimpse at, a dark blue gown with sparkling jewelry—I pray they’re not diamonds or gemstones—and finally, a nude tone gown with a corset top and scattered with glitter.
She holds them out. “Strip.”
I’m not usually insecure, but with Bea’s sharp gaze continually watching my every move, I find myself fidgeting a lot. It’s like she’s sizing me up, seeking weaknesses she can exploit.
She probably is.
I try on the blue gown first. It’s lovely, with an embroidered halter top. The gems are not heavy enough to be gemstones or diamonds. It’s already tight over my waist making my belly look even plumper than usual. Not the most flattering cut for me.
Next is the nude tone dress. It’s honestly gorgeous, and with the corset boning, it smooths my belly nicely. It pushes my boobs up pretty intensely, but that’s the point. “It’s beautiful. But it’s not me.”
She nods. “Next.”
I grab the black and white dress she selected in the beginning. On the hanger, it looks a little odd. The top is half-white, half-black embroidery in a crisscross over the chest. The handkerchief skirt is shorter in the front than in the back.
I suck in a breath as she zips it up. It hugs my waist and chest snugly, making me look curvier than the others. The top of the dress is simple white, lacey embroidery in a sweetheart neckline, but the black swirls up from the black skirt, like it’s taking over.
“I like it,” I admit.
“See.” She wiggles her brows. “You don’t always realize what is a perfect fit till you try it. I’m not one hundred percent convinced it’s the best option yet, though. You?”
My smile widens. My shoulders relax now that I know I have an option that will be appropriate and flattering. “I don’t mind trying a few more.”
“That’s the spirit.”
She throws another three dresses on the rack, the green dress left forgotten. One has a sheer bodice and a coral skirt. Pretty but back to that tad-too-sexy problem. Another is a simple black with an empire waist and sweetheart neckline.
“Too prom,” I comment.
She nods.
Another is a beautifully draped light blue dress with gold jeweled embroidery under the bust that makes me look like a Greek goddess.
“I still like the black and white better,” I say after staring at myself for a full minute. It’s fun to play dress up, and with each new dress I see another version of myself. Which one will I be today?
She picks up the dark green gown and holds it out to me with a smug grin. “Try this one still. I’ve been putting it off ’cause I’m confident it’s the winner.”
She holds up the emerald gown. It has long sleeves, a low V-neck, and an A-line silky skirt.
I stare at it dubiously. It’s beautiful, but it’s much simpler than I’d have expected Bea to like.
I step into the silky material and pull it over my chest and arms. The moment Bea zips up the back, I freeze.
It fits my chest and waist perfectly, emphasizing every curve to precision, and the flowy silk skirt expands out, making my waist curves even more accentuated.
It’s understated sexy.
My lips tilt up.
“You love it, don’t you?”
“Kinda.”
It’s incredibly comfortable for a ball gown. The silk is so smooth I just want to rub my legs against it for hours.
She hops up on her tippy toes excitedly. “Is this the winner, or do you wanna try the black and white one again?”
