My Spy 5: A Southern Girl in Paris

Dress

When we get into town, I start noticing some of the store banners passing by us and realize Willa took us to a very expensive part of town. She has the driver drop us off in front of Dior and after she bolts from the car, two men in suits hold the heavy glass door open for us. I glance to Bash and say, "Are these the only stores around here?"

"Why? You don't think you'll find a dress here? I know there are a few more down the block," he says and my eyes scan over three more extremely upscale designer boutiques. I do not want money to be an issue but I'm pretty sure a dress here is going to eat up almost everything Momma gave me for my birthday. I do not want to spend thousands of dollars on a dress that I am only going to wear once.

"I was just looking for something unique to England, ya know? I can get Dior and Prada back in the states," I tell Sebastian while crossing my fingers that he buys that load of crap.

He frowns, "I think we'd have to go back down to London. But I am sure they have dresses in there you can't find in the states," he says in hopes of sweetening the deal. I don't want to have to drive over an hour to get down to London because I don't want to shell money out here. It was so much easier when I could wave Momma's Amex around but now I am trying to use my own accounts. He notes my hesitation and says, "Don't be nervous about tonight darling. Or tomorrow either. You'll look beautiful in anything, it doesn't have to be anything special." He kisses me on the cheek and then turns to go into Prada. I watch him disappear inside and I realize I am about to spend a pretty penny. I know Sebastian would pick it up if I asked him to but Willa will assume once again that I am with him for his money. I have to prove to her I can afford their lifestyle and don't need his wallet to get by. I exhale loudly before nodding to the doormen to open the doors for me. I notice a few shoppers lingering in the shoe section and Willa is pointing to dresses on a rack for an associate to find. Looking at her choices, I am realizing this is one fancy party. She's pulling ball gowns out and I don't think I have ever worn anything this luxurious. I stride over to the evening gowns as well and Willa says, "I think I found a few that would look darling on you. You're what? A 38 or a 40?"

Confused, I look to the associate and reply, "If she means size, I am a U.S 4 or 6." Willa scoffs and mutters, "I forget how off U.S sizing is." She then glances back to the associate and says, "I guess pull a 36 then." She nods and then heads off to start us a room. I do the quick math and see Willa thinks I am eight times bigger than she is so that's a confidence booster. I glare at the back of her shiny black head and want to whack it with one of these over-priced handbags. I ask the associate to pull a few gowns of my own choosing and soon after, I am in the back trying on gowns next to Willa. I flatter her by trying on her choices first but everything is way too fashion-forward for my taste. I know she is purposely trying to get me to look stupid because she keeps trying to tell me it's the "Latest trend in London." I look to the hot pink chiffon monstrosity I have on and if it is indeed the latest trend in London, I have no desire to be fashionable.

I push my way back into the fitting room and find a simple, yet chic long black dress that fits like a glove. I want to cry when I see the price tag but I hear my momma yelling at me to buy the damn dress. I run my hands down the satin bodice and wonder if it's too formal for the dinner tonight. I think back to what Willa was trying on and I think I'll wear my plum dress tonight and get this for tomorrow. That way if it is a bit fancy, I'll blend in better at a full party.

"Do we need to run to Oscar or Givenchy?" She asks me but I do not want to go to any more stores. The dress I have on would pay my rent for a year so I quickly say, "No I found what I need here." I get back into my own clothes quickly and tell the associate which dress I'm buying. Willa then hands her her own dress and says, "I'd like to see what you have for shoes." I cross my fingers that Willa will not try to tack on shoes to my purchase so I avoid going over to that area with her.