Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

33

"So what is the dress code for these events?" Kie asked as we took the ferry to the mainland where we'd find better shops than in Kildare.

"Well, typically for VIPs it's black tie style. Dress in an elegant way and not like a prom way." I explained as I looked at the horizon. My forearms on the railing as we slowly came into port.

"Cool. So I've got money for that, but we'll probably have to go to second hand for JJ, John B, and Pope." I gave Kie a grin.

"No we won't. I'm gonna treat them and you. Consider it an early birthday gift."

"No. Absolutely not, Xena. That's too much." I set a hand on Kie's shoulder.

"Trust me, this will be small in comparison to the winners prize I'll receive after the fight. If it really bothers everyone- we'll figure out a 'pay Xena back' plan. But I'm definitely covering at least half for certain." Kie groaned before the boys joined up with us.

"What's up with her?" I set an arm around Kie at Pope's question.

"She's agitated I said I was going to sugar momma y'all." I got a mixed series of reactions.

"What? No." Pope croaked as John B stilled, completely frozen.

"I wouldn't mind you as a sugar momma." JJ murmured just loud enough for us to hear. I looked back at John B who was frozen.

"You good, B?"

"I- you- what? Really?" I laughed at his flabbergasted behavior. I pulled away from Kie as I began to walk towards the ramp leading off the boat.

"I'm serious. And if it's that big of a deal- we will figure out a way y'all can pay me back. But I want to spoil y'all and you're my VIPs at my boxing event- so sue me if I want y'all to look amazing." I called over my shoulder, knowing the rest of them were on their way.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Oh Kie." I whispered as she pulled the dressing room curtain back. My jaw absolutely smacking the floor as I saw her in the dress I had picked out. It was one of the last ones I wanted to try at this store, and I knew why. "You look gorgeous, babe." I clasped my hands together as she gave me a smile.

"Really?"

"Kie, you add some jewelry and throw a little charm. I'd happily get into bed with you." I joked. The tension lightening as she pushed my shoulder away.

"Don't tease me, Xena. I've got a thing for fighters." We laughed together as I turned her around to face the dressing room.

"Go change. I can hear the boys getting restless. Whatever plan they're cooking up I'm starting to smell." I joked but we both knew I was also serious.

As Kie went to take the purple silk slip dress off, I went to go find the three troublemakers.

"Quit hitting each other with the ties!" I hissed as I raced over to them. The three boys sent each other a look before I found myself at the wrath of the ties. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me as I fought them off. Their own laughs contagious.

"Excuse me." We all froze at the sound of that voice. My back straightening as I spun around stepping forward as if to hide the three youngsters behind me.

"Yes, ma'am, may I help you?" I asked looking at the older woman who seemed to stare down her nose at me- despite being several inches shorter.

"Actually, you can. Unless you intend to purchase those items I am going to need you to leave. Immediately." I straightened my lips into a smile.

"Yes, ma'am. Of course." The woman scoffed as she turned away once she saw I wasn't going to be moving.

Once she was gone I took a deep breath, the three idiots behind me laughing their asses off as I turned to look at them.

"I hope you picked a color you liked. Because that lady is about to get security on our asses."

"I'm ready to go." Kie called breaking us out of our stupor. The light purple dress hanging over her arms as she approached. "What the hell were y'all doing?"

"I was just helping them pick out ties." I lied as the three boys held up the different colors- the irony of the colors making me internally laugh. Of course they'd all managed to pick my signature colors. Purple, gold, maroon, and black.

"Yeah, we were testing to see their durability." JJ spoke up, not making the situation any better.

"Sure. So that's why the older woman over there is giving us all evils?"

"Yup. Yuppers. Certainly." We groaned at Pope as he failed to fib to Kie.

"Let's just get out of here." John B suggested, not liking the woman who continued to glare at us.

"Let me pay for y'all's stuff first. You four can go ahead to the suit tailor shop a few stores down. I'll pay for these and be on my way." I gently grabbed the purple fabric and the three ties from the guys before making my way to the register.

I put my victory press conference smile on as I approached the lady who suddenly quit glaring as she saw me approach.

"Will you be checking out?" She held a tone of surprise as she plastered a false customer service smile on her face.

"I am actually." I gently laid the dress down the ties on top. "If it's possible to get a dress bag that would be amazing." I could see the shock in her eyes as she simply nodded before ringing me up.

"Is this early prom shopping? Your parents not with you?" For someone who wanted me out of the store moments ago, she sure was asking a lot of questions.

"It's for an event." I answered as I dug my wallet out, hands reaching for the cash I had left over from my tie prior to Christmas. "Had to make sure my VIPs were dressed the part." I saw the lady fumble over the tags at my words. Making me grin wider in delight.

I read the total on the pop-up register as she set the dress up in a bag. Just under three hundred for the dress and the ties. As she turned back around, her surprise was no longer held back.

"Oh." She whispered softly, taken aback as I pulled three Benjamins out.

"Keep the change. For compensation with the whole tie fiasco."

She looked like she was about to faint.