And I do a double take.
“Christ, Hayls.” I swallow a lump in my throat as my eyes drop to her legs, my gaze roaming as I take her all in. And she steals my fucking breath. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone look more beautiful.
A giddy smile graces her lips as relief overwhelms me. She found something. No, she didn’t just find something. She found the one. It couldn’t be more perfect.
Giving me a spin, she shows off the gleaming silver dress with plunging neckline and open back, gently holding the flowing skirt. I smile until a flash of skin highlights the split reaching her upper thigh, making me my throat dry.
“It’s… You… I don’t have the words,” I rasp.
She releases the skirt and the material pools at her feet while I can’t take my fucking eyes off her. “No words,” I repeat like a fool.
“But you like it?” she questions, her expression confident while I fight to form a proper sentence.
“I was here to say hot or not, right?” I ask, ignoring the cracking in my voice.
“Right.” Hayley giggles before trapping her lip between her teeth.
“You’re a fucking knockout,” I whisper in awe, unable to hide how I feel.
“That’s what I was after.”
Evelyn finally smiles and I laugh because of it. “I’ll leave you two alone for a minute to decide, but it’s perfect, Hayley. And you look beautiful.”
“Don’t I?”
Hayley turns again until I’m looking at her back and glances over her shoulder, gathering her hair up to show off her neck. “With my hair up, you’ll see the detail on the back, and I’m thinking a drop necklace.” She turns to face me again and clutches her neck before letting her hand drop to where the necklace would fall between her cleavage. “Maybe even a simple white gold bracelet?”
I grumble low in the back of my throat and shift my gaze back to her eyes, forcing a smile when she doesn’t notice how affected I am. “It all sounds perfect to me.”
“Thank you.”
“Seriously, you look incredible, Hayls. I wish I had the right words.”
“You don’t need them. Your expression says it all.”
“Fuck.” My nose scrunches as I run a hand through my hair. “I’m guessing that means you know my thoughts on all the other dresses?”
“I sure do.” She laughs when I wince.
“Don’t worry about my opinion. She’s great.” I fake another smile, but my tone gives me away.
“You don’t have to be niceallthe time, Reed. She’s abitch.” She mouths bitch and I have to agree with her.
“So…you’re not going to hire her,” I whisper back and Hayley shakes her head.
“I’m not. But I am definitely wearing this dress.”
I nod, my eyes raking over her again, imagining the reaction of the crowds as tension fills my chest. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Hayley
Ismile as the Storm players run off the field at halftime, revved up with their eight-point lead.
When they disappear through the tunnel, the girls—otherwise known as the wives and girlfriends of the players—immediately turn my way. “Show me the dress.Now.” Amelia stamps her foot with demand and it’s so adorable it makes me laugh.
“The photos donotdo it justice,” I explain with an awe to my voice that I completely own. I love that dress. “I wasn’t even supposed to take photos.”
