Saving Grace #Wattys2016

Chapter Six

KEKE PALMER AS BRENDA WILSON

Walking back to the car seemed.....peaceful. Hardy and I held hands as he pointed out all the buildings. I occasionally stopped at windows if stores to see the beautiful things they had inside.

"Oh!" There was one store that had me speechless. The dress was strapless, deep red, form-fitting and totally gorgeous. "The day I'll be able to afford that dress." I shook my head.

"You like it?"

"Yeah! But done things were meant to stay behind the glass."

"Depends on what side you're on." Hardy pulled me into the direction of the store.

"What're you doing?"

"The best thing about being a part of one of Houston's well-known families, is being able to do whatever the hell you want." This was one of those stores that even dressed your best, someone like me would feel totally out of place. I could already feel the stares directed towards me.

"I'm lookin' around for more things."

"More things?" I echoed. "I thought we had to worry about traffic."

"I know a short cut back." He was already flipping through racks and picking up things. Hardy looked up long enough to give me that slow devilish grin and a wink. On my own, I went in search of that perfect dress.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" I politely asked a saleswoman. "That dress in the window?

Where can I find it?" She gave me a quick look over, either thinking this black girl was about to get a rude awakening or wondering if I could even pay for the dress.

"Alright, darlin' this was all I could fit on me so...," Hardy came up and looked between us. "You found that dress yet?" I looked back at the shocked woman with an even smile. Backup has arrived.

"Mr. Hale, I didn't realize you were...." She looked at him like she was about to die. "Let's get you that dress." she scurried away to get the dress literally off the mannequin as another woman got us into a dressing room.

"Amazing what people would do for the money." Hardy shook his head. "Okay, let's try to keep this under an hour before traffic really gets up." I tried on everything between short sets to flowy dresses; Hardy sat and laughed while I put on the fashion show. Then last the red dress. It felt so smooth, I thought it would slip out of my hand and touch the floor, soiling it. Once I slipped in it and looked at the mirror in the stall, a wave of uneasiness went through me. I let down my hair, which stayed artfully curled for more effect. For the first time in a while, I felt like a woman, not a little girl everyone always told what to do. I had a certain feeling of independence. The way it curved right over my hips, hugged my chest and penciled down to my knees gave me feeling of rebellion so when I walked out of the stall, I did it with spice.

And almost made Hardy cry.

His eyes traced over every single curve and skimmed all this places where there was uncovered skin.

"I like it." I smiled seductively at him, turning so he could see the scandalously low back and everything. "What do you think?"

"We're getting it." He said flatly before I even finished the sentence in an accent. Me and every other woman whipped their head to him.

"Hardy, I don't have anywhere to wear this."

"Yes you do. I'm taking you out. Soon." He got up and walked over in three long strides. I could hear his breath coming out uneven as his hands lightly coasted my curves, leaving a heated trail. "Get dressed so we can get on the road before..."