Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Four

'So what kind of dress are you looking for?' Ecie asked pushing back rows of dresses.

'I don't know,' Emily replied. 'I want a really gorgeous gown.'

'When is the event?'

'It's in August,' Emily replied. 'But I always leave these things until the last minute.'

Ecie laughed. 'Well don't worry; it's good you started early.'

'Thank you,' Emily sighed. 'God, you never get used to this.'

Ecie looked at Emily.

'All of these event invitations,' she replied. 'If I had known he was a socialite when he had first asked me out, I probably would have turned him down.'

Ecie laughed. 'Because of all the events?'

'Yep,' Emily laughed. 'Don't get me wrong, I love seeing myself on society pages, but it's weird. My parents have been doing this for their whole careers, but it's still hard to get my head around it.'

Ecie laughed as she produced a red silk chiffon Camilla strapless Jason Wu gown, with a nude lace neckline. 'Ta da.'

'I love it.'

'How's it going?' Holly asked.

'Good,' Ecie replied looking up from her magazine. 'It's been a busy morning.'

'What stuff are you looking at?'

'Basics,' Ecie replied. 'We've got too many extravagant things, but not enough basic essentials.'

'Oh okay,' Holly nodded. 'What do you have so far?'

'Current/Elliott jeans, J Brand and Seven for all Mankind,' Ecie replied. 'I also looked at the T by Alexander Wang collection. Everyone loves him,' Ecie looked at Holly. 'Are you okay?'

'Yeah,' Holly sighed. 'I'm so exhausted and I want a holiday.'

'Why don't you just take one?'

'I've got too much going on here,' Holly replied. 'This place runs my whole life.'

'Then why don't you take the rest of the day off?' Ecie suggested. 'Go to the spa or go home and rest. I can look after this place.'

'Are you sure?'

'Totally,' Ecie smiled. 'You need some pampering. You've got a little girl at home, you're running the largest Chêne de Pois store and you haven't taken a proper break in about three years. Go home; I'll take care of everything.'

'Thank you so much,' Holly hugged Ecie. 'You are the best.'

'Just shut up and get home,' Ecie smiled. 'I'll call you tonight to see how you're doing.'

'Okay,' Holly smiled. 'Thank you.'

'I mean what I say,' Ecie called as Holly walked away. 'Rest.'

'I will,' Holly replied. 'Thanks.'

'There you are,' Esme sighed. 'I've been looking all over the store for you. Here you are.'

'Thanks,' Ecie said taking the cup of coffee from her sister. 'Sorry, I forgot to text you, I sent Holly home.'

'You sent Holly home? Why? Isn't she supposed to be your boss?' Esme said. 'You can't send your boss home.'

'Well I did,' Ecie replied. 'She is completely exhausted and what she needs is a nice rub down, so I sent her home.'

'You stole Holly's job,' Esme said. 'You've just stolen her job.'

'No I haven't,' Ecie said. 'Don't be stupid.'

Esme looked at Ecie.

'Fine,' Ecie replied. 'So I stole her job. It looks fun.'

Esme laughed. 'So does this mean we can't do lunch today?'

'You can hang out here with me for the rest of the day,' Ecie smiled. 'I know you've got nothing else to do since Taylor skipped town...'

'He didn't skip town...'

'Since he skipped town,' Ecie went on. 'You can literally follow me and keep me company. What do you say?'

'What's in it for me?'

'Hey,' Ecie said. 'You're the one always complaining that we don't spend enough time together. I'm offering you your dream come true. Plus, Dorothy, you stole my shoes.'

Esme laughed. 'Okay WWW. I'll stay.'

'Come on.'