Page 160 of Dangerous Encore

The saleswoman steps out of the dressing stall and nods to us. "Do you have the undergarments you're goingtowear?"

Uh… am I supposedto? "No."

"Let me grab you a bustier. What's your bra size?"sheasks

I tell her and she runs off to fetch properundergarments.

Piper pushes herself to her feet. "Do you want me to help now or would you rather get into your skivviesfirst?"

"I'd love your help." I look to Bella. "It's a little small forthree."

She laughs. "Go. I'm only here for thefashionshow."

I nod, follow Piper into the dressing room, and start stripping out of my jeans and t-shirt.

The salesgirl hands the bustier over through the crack in the door. It's a huge white thing that covers most of my stomach. It's cut low in the back, low enough to work under most of thesedresses.

Piper helps me latch the last few hooks then motions to the dresses hanging on the wall. Three are sleek shift dresses. Three are breezy chiffon numbers. "Anything calling your name inparticular?"

"This one." I point to the simplest dress. It's an ivory sheath without anyadornments.

"Okay." She unzips the dress and lifts it off its hanger. "You want to pull it over your head or stepintoit?"

"Let's try steppingintoit."

She nods as she pulls the sidesapart.

One foot at a time, I step into thedress.

Piper pulls it up my legs. It catches at my hips. I have to shimmy to get it to mywaist.

She pulls it into place, helps me get my arms through the shoulder straps. Cinches thezipper.

It's a size too small. Two even. Possibly fixable with alterations.Possiblynot.

Piper gives me a long once over. "It looks good. Plain, but sexy." She reaches for the door. "You ready for the bigmirrors?"

Inod.

She pulls them open, steps into the main room, and holds out her arms like she's presenting a queen at her coronation. "The lovely and talented LaceyWaltz."

I step into themainroom.

Bellaclaps.

I catch her gaze and raise a brow.Isitgood?

She makes theit's okaymotion. Bella and I are close, closer than Piper and I are, and I trust an honest opinion from her. It's not that I think Piper will lie. More that she's blinded by how much she loves Mal and wants him to behappy.

Piper takes my hand and leads me to the double-mirror in the center of the room. "Well, what do youthink?"

It's a pretty dress.Simple.

Classic.

But…boring.

I turn around and check the back of the dress. The tight fit is flattering on my less than ample ass. But there's nospark.