“It’s very forgiving and more stretchy than it looks.” Ember urged her deeper into the store.
The boutique had a good mix of vintage and new styles. It mostly catered to the female presenting clientele, but there was a fair bit for both sexes and even some androgynous pieces that would be perfect for summer no matter who you were.
I stopped at a rack with linen pants in a deep purple that would go with Sydney’s hair. I snagged two I figured might fit her and followed the women who were quietly talking about sizes and measurements. I plucked a sleeveless shirt as well as two summer-weight sweaters off hangers then stopped at a poppy floral dress over ivory that made my chest tighten.
She’d look good in that as well.
I had an armful of clothes by the time we got to the massive dressing area that took over the back of the store. There was an oval raised dais with a 360º bank of mirrors that showed every angle of a person.
December Jones knew her business and excelled at body positivity.
Sydney frowned when I handed over my stack of clothes. “I came in for a dress.”
“And you need a summer wardrobe, obviously.” I turned her around and followed her in.
“I beg your pardon.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not staying in here. Unless you want me to.”
Her raised brow was her only answer.
“I had to ask.” I brushed by her, my voice pitching low. “Definitely perfect hips.” Then closed the door in her face.
I turned around to see Ember with a wide grin. “How long have you two been seeing one another?”
“We’re not.”
“Oh.” Her lips twitched. “I see.”
“Yet.” I took a seat in one of the pink chairs and prepared for a fashion show.
Her delighted laugh made me smile back at her. It probably wasn’t the best course of action. She was Jude’s sister, but I couldn’t deny the pull toward her.
When Sydney came out in the flowy lavender dress, I was very glad I was sitting down. I folded my hands over my reaction to her. Those damn legs were going to kill me. As well as those grip worthy hips. She walked to the dais with her four inch heels that made her calves flex deliciously.
She smoothed her hand over her hips. “It’s a bit tight.”
Before I could dissent, Ember did it for me.
“Not at all. It’s just form fitting and the layers soften it.”
Sydney tugged at the fabric. “I don’t know.”
Ember glided toward her. “Look up instead of down.”
Sydney sighed and finally looked in the mirror. Her lips parted.
“See? I don’t even need to alter it. I could shorten it a touch.” Ember lifted the hem two inches and my mouth watered at the toned length of her legs.
“You think?”
Ember nodded. “Killer legs should be celebrated.”
“Damn right,” I agreed.
Sydney met my gaze in the mirror before she looked away again.
“Try on the rest.”
