Page 46 of Booked for Theft

“Easily done. So, about this engagement party dress,” Bradley prompted.

As the bridal shop had an entire section dedicated to slinky dresses meant for cocktail parties and other events associated with wedding planning, I replied, “I will send you some pictures momentarily, and you can tell me which ones to try on.”

“I like this plan.”

“You’re going to like it right up until the reminder you have to wait for romance until Monday night.”

He sighed. “Why are we doing this to ourselves again?”

“It’s rude to romance after a funeral, and after today, we’re going to be too tired for romance, so we’re waiting for Monday night after the kittens have been put to bed to enjoy our romancing,” I replied. “I’m hanging up on you now so I can take pictures of your choices.”

I sent him a picture of all the available dresses, and his request that I try on all the little ones destined to reveal a great deal of skin amused me. While I waited, I checked price tags, determining I would be spending a fortune on even a single dress. Two choices loomed before me: I could accept the situation or fight the inevitable. As fighting the inevitable accomplished nothing, I began the process through determining which dresses appealed the most to me, would drive Bradley crazy, and I wouldn’t be caught dead in.

Once I eliminated about a third of them, keeping a few Bradley would like if I wore only for him in the comfort of our home, I took a photo of the skimpiest one and texted it to him, suggesting I should wear it to work at least once a week.

My phone rang again, and I answered with, “Is that a no?”

“How about we negotiate for you wearing that one at home three times a week?”

We would end up spending a lot on birth control if I did that. “If I don’t look absolutely awful in it, I’ll see about slipping it into today’s acquisitions. While you’re there, get a selection of suits for social events involving politicians. I think you’re going to need it. I’m going to be picking up a few dresses for that purpose. They will not be slinky, seductive affairs. What I wear underneath them might be, however.”

“You have my attention.”

I snickered. “We’ll go lingerie shopping together when we don’t have an audience, sometime next week. After the funeral, we will be going home so I can eat my feelings.”

“We’ll order in from the Indian place so you can pretend you’re crying from the spice. Anything else?”

“How long do you think it’s going to take a herd of bridesmaids and two mothers to pick their dresses?”

“Longer than either of us appreciates. Good luck. You’re going to need it. If they get carried away, remind my mother that dinner is a real thing we all need to have. Just be grateful that your mother decided we needed to eat before we started this, else starvation would be probable.”

“Let’s race. Whomever escapes their shop first, with all members of their party suitably dressed, wins a day trip of choice to take place in several weeks.”

“You’re on. I’m going to crush you, Janette. I have places I wish to go while you’re my captive prize.”

“Keep dreaming, Mr. Bradley Hampton.” I hung up, rubbed my hands together, and went to work herding cats so I could claim a day at the nearest beach.