Unadulterated Pleasure

18: Dress Shopping & Sightseeing

Amara watched as Tahly shifted uncomfortably in the dress she wore. It was a lovely dress, but Amara was sure the length of it was what had Tahly uncomfortable. So, she shook her head, asking Tahly to try on one of the other dresses. They were currently looking for her bridesmaid dress. Amara lost track of the number of dresses her friend had tried on, but each one hadn't been quite right.

Amara was starting to feel hopeless as she waited for Tahly to change into a different one. A part of her regretted not asking her mother to make Tahly's dress when she'd first decided she would be her bridesmaid. However, Amara hadn't wanted her dress rushed in favor of her mother having to finish two, and if she were one hundred percent honest, she'd been a bit selfish because she only wanted her mother to make her dress for the occasion. Now, that seemed to be biting her in hindsight.

When Tahly came out in the next dress, she seemed more comfortable, but Amara didn't like it. So, again she asked Tahly to try on one of the other ones. Amara got up and began looking through the racks again as she waited. She was sure Tahly only had a couple more dresses in the changing room with her.

"What about this one?" Lauren questioned, holding up a red strapless dress. "It shouldn't be too short, and it's the shade of red you were hoping to find."

Amara looked the dress over. Lauren was right, but she didn't know how Tahly would feel about wearing a strapless dress. Even though it was her joining, she didn't want her friend to be uncomfortable. Nodding, Amara took the dress from Lauren and went to the changing room, knocking on the door.

"Tahly, I have a different dress for you." Tahly opened the door slightly, and Amara pushed it through to her. "I'm sorry you're having to try on so many."

"It's okay," Tahly responded. "You're getting joined, and you want it to be perfect. I don't mind trying on dresses until you find one you like."

"Thank you," Amara responded with a smile before returning to the couch her mother and Lauren occupied, sitting between them.

Tahly came out a few minutes later, wearing the dress, and Amara looked her over. Though it seemed a bit big in the chest and waist, it looked good on her, and Tahly didn't seem uncomfortable with the length or the fact that it was strapless.

"What do you think, Tahl?" Amara questioned.

"I like it, but it's a little big."

"I'll try to find you a smaller size," Amara stated, going to get up, only to be stopped by Lauren.

"That was the only one I saw over there. I don't think there are any other sizes."

"Crap," Amara mumbled.

"Don't worry about it. We'll get the one she's wearing, and I can take it in," Adina stated, walking over to Tahly. She grabbed the back of the dress, pulling it until it fit how it was supposed to. "It shouldn't take more than a few hours to do."

Amara smiled in relief because she liked the dress on Tahly and was tired of looking. They'd been out for the past three hours doing so. "Thanks, mom. You're a lifesaver."

Once Tahly was back in her clothes, Amara paid for the dress. As she did so, she made a mental note to ask Dorian if she'd gone over whatever limit was on the card since she'd been using it frequently to pay for joining items, and she still needed to pay Lauren back for purchasing Dorian's gifts for her.

"Do you ladies want to grab a late lunch?" Lauren questioned as they stepped out of the boutique.

The three women nodded, sliding into the back of the car and headed toward a bank of restaurants.