Page 30 of A Very Italian Wedding
‘Cara,’ Francesca gasped, clutching her hands to her collarbone. ‘The colour is spectacular on you and the sparkles divine. I really am talented.’ She grinned as she approached, spinning Rose around. ‘But you need to remove your bra!’
‘That’s a speciality of mine too,’ Ben murmured from outside.
Rose ignored him. ‘You want me to take it off now?’ she asked, clutching the dress tighter to her chest.
‘You won’t need it,’ Francesca said. ‘The underwear will bunch under the silk, and it’s cut so low you won’t be able tostop it from showing.’ She stared Rose down until she carefully removed and dropped it onto the chair.
Francesca nodded as she paced the room, checking Rose from the side and back, making various approving noises before quickly sliding up the zip of the dress. Then she spun Rose around to face the mirror. ‘You lookmagnifica!’ she declared, clapping her hands again.
Rose didn’t usually get pleasure from shopping. She kept her wardrobe tidy and unimaginative – always aiming for professional. She’d never wanted to dress to attract a man based on looks alone. Which meant she preferred keeping things simple.
But for the first time in a long time, Rose wondered if that was a mistake. The navy suited her and brought out the colour of her eyes and the low neckline looked sexy, giving just enough away but not too much. It wasn’t like Aurora’s dress, but it did have sparkles – plus, this one cut in at the waist and dipped at the front, exposing her pale skin and making it almost shimmer in the light. She tried to take a step forward so she could see better and found herself almost tripping on the hem.
‘It’s a little too long,’ she said, disappointed and oddly relieved that it was unsuitable.
‘You just need some heels,’ Francesca sang, drawing back the flap in the curtain again and disappearing.
‘You have shoes?’ Rose asked, turning to gaze at herself.
Perhaps it would be nice to dress up? Usually, Luna dazzled when they were out together and Rose was happy to take a back seat. She wasn’t looking to outshine her friend – especially not at her own engagement party – but it might feel good to stand in the same bright light. She twisted around, trying to find the price tag, but couldn’t see one. Rose had a strict monthly budget for her wardrobe updates. Looked like she might be blowing at least half a year of it today.
Francesca returned dangling a pair of glittery shoes from her fingers. ‘I guessed your size – thirty-eight?’
‘I’m a five, yes. I’m impressed,’ Rose said, taking them and staring. They were high and the straps were dainty. ‘I’m not used to wearing heels outside of work,’ she said slowly. The older woman waved a hand towards the chair and indicated Rose should sit. When she did, Francesca put the shoes on her, then encouraged her to stand.
‘Try walking! Slowly…’ she said as Rose hitched up the skirt so she didn’t accidentally tread on the material. The dress was exactly the right length now and the shoes were more comfortable than she’d anticipated. ‘You will be fine after some practice.’ Francesca waved a hand. ‘Why don’t you show Ben?’
‘I don’t need his opinion,’ Rose spluttered.
‘Is that a rule too?’ Ben, who was obviously still eavesdropping, asked from the other side of the curtain.
‘Yes, it’s called dress for yourself and no one else,’ she told him. ‘Don’t give up your style or change for anybody.’ She frowned. She’d seen too many clients trying to change themselves for their partner. Even Luna had gone through a phase when she’d only wanted to wear cargo trousers because her latest boyfriend was obsessed with them. Luckily, she’d finished with him, although it had taken her months to see she was being manipulated.
Francesca sighed. ‘Of course you should dress for yourself,cara.’ She nodded towards the curtain. ‘But it doesn’t hurt to share if you look this good.’
‘Is it cream?’ Ben asked, his tone still teasing.
‘No,’ Rose said, twisting around and ripping back the curtain, feeling her stomach drop to her toes when Ben’s mouth gaped and his smile disappeared.
She didn’t need or want his approval – but that didn’t stop the punch of satisfaction in her stomach at his reaction. It mightbe weak and irresponsible of her – but she decided to just enjoy it. It didn’t have to be complicated. Ben wasn’t even a friend.
‘You look…’ He trailed off as Rose stepped out into the main shop aiming to get a feel for the new outfit, to see if she’d be comfortable wearing it this evening.
‘Bellissima,’ Francesca filled in as she followed Rose out. ‘So now we have an outfit for this evening, we need to get you sorted for the rest of your visit.’
‘You’ll need a bikini,’ Ben said, his smile returning. ‘And something to wear to bed. Unless you’re planning on keeping my T-shirt?’ he teased.
Francesca’s eyebrow rose, but she looked pleased. ‘Ah, this chemistry isn’t in my imagination,’ she cooed.
‘It certainly is,’ Rose countered.
‘It’s good.’ The older woman regarded Ben as he went to sit back on the sofa. ‘I never thought he’d get over Sophia.’
‘He seems perfectly over her to me,’ Rose said. Hadn’t he been joking about the wedding presents back in the hotel? And what about all his constant flirting? Unless that was just a coping mechanism? The thought made her pause.
‘Is he?’ Francesca asked enigmatically before turning away. ‘Why don’t I pick you out some swimwear now – and you’re going to need a dress for the wedding. Luna’s already been in touch with some ideas,’ she said loudly, leaving Rose floundering as she watched the older woman go to gather up more clothes, all the while chatting with Ben.
Was there more to the man than she’d first suspected? Did he actually have a heart, after all? Time would tell, but suddenly Rose wondered if she’d misjudged Ben. And if she had, what did that say about her?
