Page 60 of The October Arrangement

“No.” Celeste shook her head.

“No?” My brows furrowed.

“Beautiful dress. Wrong woman.” She brought her finger to her lips.

“I think it looks good,” I said.

“It does, darling. But good isn’t what we’re doing today. We’re doing unforgettable. I’ll be right back.”

She brought me three more dresses. One in a darker champagne color. One in burgundy. And one in a midnight-blue. I didn’t like any of them.

“I have one more,” Celeste said, standing outside the fitting room door.

“You said that three dresses ago.” I opened the door and took the garment bag from her. “What color is this one?”

“Just put it on.” She smiled.

I shut the door, unzipped the bag, and removed the rich, deep red gown that wasn’t bright or flashy. It had thin straps and a fitted bodice that flowed into a long skirt. The back dipped low, and there was a slit along one side that revealed just enough leg without being too much. I tried it on, and stepped outside the fitting room. I barely recognized myself in the mirror. It was as if the dress was made just for me and nobody else.

“Oh.” Celeste smiled. “There she is. Miss Unforgettable.”

As I stared at myself in the mirror, I imagined walking into the charity event, wearing this dress, holding Simon’s arm. It was elegant and sexy. Then I imagined Simon seeing me in it. My belly fluttered at the thought.

“This is the one.” I smiled.

“I totally agree,” Celeste said.

“How much is it?” I asked.

Celeste walked over and began adjusting one of the straps.

“Celeste?”

“Yes?”

“How much is the dress?”

“I don’t think we need to worry about that. Mr. Montclair is paying, correct?”

“How do you know that?” I stared at her.

“I saw you pull out his card and stare at it before I went to collect some dresses.”

“How much?”

“$10,000.”

My jaw dropped. “For a dress?”

“It’s couture.” She smiled.

“Does it come with a car?”

“Unfortunately, no.” She laughed.

I turned back to the mirror and stared at myself. There was absolutely no way. The guilt would consume me.

“I can’t spend that much money on one dress,” I said.