Dean argued.
âNot really. Itâs a Christmas lunch with friends or a bunch of guys you hope to make your friends,â Kristen countered, deciding this was one argument he was not winning. âAnd besides, Iâm not a part of your business.â She almost said, âIâm supposed to be your girlfriend,â but she caught the way Jennifer was looking at them, her wide eyes speaking of her curiosity. So, she smiled and said, âIâm your girlfriend.â
Deanâs expression shifted from determined to confused.
But Jennifer seemed to love that tidbit. âThis explains so much about yesterday,â she said enthusiastically. She faced Dean. âFrom the things she chose while she was with Stella, I know that you can trust her taste.â She turned to Kristen. âAnd I agree with you. The right sweater dress will be more than appropriate.â
She motioned to the dressing room. âGive me two seconds to pull my three favorites.â
Dean scowled.
But as Jennifer walked away, Kristen laughed. âWho would you rather do business with? Someone who cowers or someone who knows what sheâs doing?â
He sighed and brushed his hand in the direction of the curtained-off changing area. âJust go get ready to try on the dresses.â
She slipped into the mirrored room and removed her pants and shirt. Jennifer stepped in holding three sweater dresses.
âThe red,â she said, hanging it on the first hook, âBecause I think youâll look beautiful in it. Blue because itâs a little more sedate for Grumpy Pants out there. And black because I know his type. Heâll pick the black because he doesnât want anyone looking at you.â
Kristenâs face flushed with color. âHeâs really not possessive.â
âOh, honey, theyâre all possessive. But if you donât believe me. Start with the red, give him the heart attack he wants to have, move on to the blue and go to the black. Heâll pick the black.â
Doing as she had been told, Kristen slipped into the red dress. The soft knit clung to her curves, but not obnoxiously. It just looked like a pretty dress.
When she stepped out of the dressing room, Deanâs back was to her. She said, âHereâs dress one,â and he turned around.
* * *
Seeing Kristen in the red dress, Dean swore his heart exploded. It nicely cruised her curves but not indecently. It was a pretty dress that complimented a gorgeous figure. And it came to her knees. There was nothing to be upset about.
But blonde, green-eyed Kristen was certainly heart-stopping in the striking red dress. Then he realized it wasnât the dress. It was Kristen. In anything other than black pants and a white shirt, she was going to be a knockout.
He tried to say something, but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Jennifer laughed. âLetâs try the blue one.â
She shooed Kristen into the curtained off room and in a few minutes Kristen returned in the blue knit dress.
âWow.â Okay. Heâd tried to stop that but couldnât. The blue dress somehow highlighted the pale green color of her eyes and made her look spectacular. âThatâs...â He cleared his throat. âVery pretty.â
Jennifer smiled. âOkay. On to dress three.â
This time, Kristen emerged in a black dress. It looked simple and elegant. Yes, it still accented the same perfect figure, but not quite so enthusiastically.
âI like this one.â
Jennifer laughed, but Kristen said, âI like the red!â Her eyes narrowed. âAnd you liked the red too.â
He sucked in a breath. Heâd been struck speechless by the red. Sheâd have had to be blind not to see that. âI did.â
âThen why are we picking the black one?â
âBecause I donât want Winslow or his friends to have a stroke.â
She sighed. âOkay. You know what? Iâm
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