Blended Love

Chapter 13: Mimi's Boutique

"So what do you mean by new money?"

Steve chuckled, taking his eyes off the road to look at me.

"When I say New Money, I mean young guys or first generation, self made millionaires and billionaires. They still remember what it was like before they reached cushy millionaire status. So they still know how to party but have the money to really turn it up."

"Rich people throw crazy parties?"

"The absolute craziest. And the newer they are to the money, the crazier it gets," he says, "but this New Year's Eve party shouldn't be that wild. The company is the one hosting it. Although Fred, the CEO of the company is known for throwing caution to wind and really splurging on his employees for the holidays."

"Awe he sounds nice," I say.

He scoffs. "No way. He's a total douche bag. I'm pretty sure he does all of this nice stuff just so he can get away with being a narcissist."

"Oh. Should I be worried?" I did not want to see this Fred guy.

"Nah. Fred's a dick, but he's not a complete monster. Don't worry you'll understand when we met him."

We pulled up to the mall, which was absolutely packed. You would think with Christmas having passed the place would've been a little more empty. Not our luck.

"I guess everyone is coming to do the same thing we are."

Steve opens my door for me and we walk hand in hand into the indoor mall.

"Where do you want to try first?" Steve asks me.

"Hmm? I honestly don't know. I haven't gone shopping since I got pregnant, really. Hmmm," I paused, "I should be asking you, where I should shop. Are these New Money folks going to be able to smell cheap Forever 21 clothes on me?" I laugh.

"The actual rich folk, yes. But the employees that work for them, no. Let's try Express. Their clothing is good quality."

We shopped around Express looking at a few things. Most of the things I was drawn to were sequin skirts and sparkly shorts but I couldn't really get a good fit over my growing belly.

After my fifth failed attempt at pairing this super cute silk blouse with some bottoms I groaned in frustration.

"This was supposed to be fun." I pout.

"Hey this skirt was almost the best," Steve says trying to console me.

"Yeah it zipped all the way up but look at this huge pocket of space. It makes me look like a glittery table!"

Steve stifled a chuckle. "Babe, it's okay. Let's try another store and maybe we'll get you a pretzel too."

"Yeah. Maybe a cinnamon pretzel and a pretzel-dog," I said as I walked back towards the fitting room. "Maybe two pretzel-dogs. Ooh! And glaze for the pretzel."

Steve chuckled out loud this time. "Whatever you want."

On our way out of Express I spotted a cute metallic gold, mid length trench coat.

"Ooh I really like that," I said walking to grab it from its stand.

I held it up to my body and turned to show Steve.

"Let's do it," he said leading me to the registers.

After we bought the jacket, stopped by the pretzel stand for my cinnamon pretzel, glaze and two pretzel-dogs, we stopped by Saks 5th.

I fell in love with a million things inside the store. None New Year's Eve worthy, but I did walk out with two pairs of gold and silver strappy heels.

"We need a maternity store. Why doesn't the 2020s have maternity stores anymore," I whined.

"I've enjoyed just walking around with you," Steve says. I look up at his smiling face and reach to grab his hand.

"Me too."

"And if we don't find something here, we can try another mall," he suggests.

"I want to eat at the Maggiano's that's here though," I said with a laugh. "I've been craving their chicken parmesan and cheesecake since I saw the sign when we pulled up."

"Okay let's keep walking then."

We walked some more and came across a shop called Mimi's Boutique. It wasn't a store I remembered being there before. It made sense though, businesses in this spot never lasted longer than a year, if that.

I pulled Steve into the store and was greeted by a friendly black woman. She was a beautiful dark skin lady, with a short pixie cut.

"Hello, I'm Mimi. Fashion stylist and boutique owner. Thank you for coming into my shop today. Can I help you guys with anything?"

"Uh yes. I have a New Year's Eve party to go to, but I'm not finding anything that fits this baby bump," I said as I rubbed my stomach.

"Awe, you are so cute. Well I'd love to help you find something that works for you," she said as she beckoned us to follow her.

As we came further into the shop, I became more and more impressed. None of the items had more than 3 or 4 of them. Everything look unique and luxurious.

"I see you've got some bags, anything in there for you?"

"Ooh yes. I bought a few things!"

Steve handed me the two shoe boxes, one by one, which I opened and handed to her.

"These are cute and love that you got both silver and gold."

"They were too comfy to pass up."

And then I showed her the gold jacket.

"Oh. Honey this is cute!!" She took the jacket from me and held it up in front of me trying to imagine something.

"I have just the thing for you."

She sets the jacket down and walks to the corner of her store and back with a glitter, silvery-iridescent mini dress. She plucks a silver clutch as well.

"Try on this dress you'll love it. It's nice and stretchy for your cute bump."

I looked at the dress that looked like it wouldn't come past my lower belly, skeptically, but went to the dressing room anyway.

I undressed and slipped the little dress over my head effortlessly and to my surprise it came down mid thigh length- even with my bump, bumping.

It was so soft on the inside too the glitter wasn't a bother and I loved how cute my belly looked in it.

I came out to show her and Steve.

"Wow babe. You look amazing."

"I love this dress." I said as I looked at myself in another mirror.

"You look like a smokin soon to be milf," Mimi laughed. "Being pregnant doesn't have to mean we lose our appeal."

I definitely felt like the shit in this dress.

"So hear me out. This dress with those silver heels, this clutch," she said, "and here's where I might lose you. Your gold jacket."

"All this silver and then the gold, like that?"

"Yes trust me. This is going to look so good with your baby bump, with or without the jacket on. And it gives you the ability accessorize with gold jewelry."

"I'm gonna trust you."

After all she was a stylist. She clapped her hands excitedly.

"Oh awesome. So this week because it is our grand opening week. I am offering a 15% discount on all purchases."

After changing out of the dress, Mimi rang us up.

"Please take my card so you can tag me on social media in your outfit," she said slipping a business card in the bag. "I hope you guys have a great day."

"Thank you," we both said as we walked out of the store.

"Maggiano's?" Steve asked.

"You know it."

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A/N: Next chapter will be a longer chapter. So stay tuned for that. May take a little longer but it'll also be a longer read ❤️