Just Friends

Trenton flung an arm around her shoulders. “Come on.”

They strode toward the fitting rooms and found a trio of dark blue sofas. They dropped onto the one in the middle, sitting close to each other.

“This should be fun,” Trenton said dryly.

“You said you didn’t mind,” Alannah reminded him.

“I don’t mind at all, actually.”

Her face screwed up into a doubtful expression.

“Trust me, I’m glad to be seated. This is way more comfortable than running around the sales floor hunting for clothes.”

“What did I tell you about whining?”

“I’m not whining.”

“You are. Not everyone can afford to have a stylist shop for them, pick their clothes, and drop them off with the snap of a finger.”

“You don’t know what you’re missing.” Trenton slumped in the chair and spread his legs so that his knee bumped Alannah’s. Crossing his arms, he let his head fall to the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. “Wake me when she has your outfits picked out.”

“Don’t fall asleep.” Alannah nudged him with her elbow.

He kept his eyes closed. “Quit.”

Alannah rested her head on his left shoulder—a comfortable, familiar position. “Julia is a personal shopper for the store. Why didn’t I think of this before?”

The scent of honeysuckle filled his nostrils, and Trenton turned his face into her hair. This time he didn’t just enjoy the smell. He reveled in it, and a curious sensation rippled across his abs.

He tugged her braid to distract from the feeling. “You told me not to fall asleep, and look at you. Don’t you fall asleep.”

“I won’t.” She giggled, settling more snugly against him. As if she belonged there. But she did belong, and could always have his shoulder to lean on.

“Don’t be too sure. I’ve been told plenty of times I have a very comfortable shoulder.” He didn’t know why he said that. Almost as if he had to, because something felt off.

She didn’t respond at first, but then she whispered, “I bet.” Her voice sounded odd when she said that.

Maybe he’d actually dozed off for a little bit, but the next thing he knew, Julia announced herself and stood in front of them with garments thrown over her forearm and numerous belts and other accessories in hand.

“This way,” she said, and Alannah hopped up from the sofa to follow behind. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder at Trenton. She looked so excited, like a kid at a preview sale for cupcakes. He smiled back, ready to perform the very important task of critiquing her outfits when she came out.

But he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.

The first evening dress she tried on was gorgeous—in the front, that is.

“The entire gown is made of chiffon,” Julia explained.

The gown was halter-topped with a white empire waist, and the bottom half, black, curved into a bell shape and swept the floor. That was all fine, but when Alannah did a one-eighty turn, Trenton saw the thigh-high split and that her entire back was exposed.

Which meant no bra.

He sat up.

“What do you think?” Alannah grinned from ear to ear. Examining her image in the mirrors, she turned this way and that.

“Where’s the rest of it?” Trenton asked.

Julia laughed. “This is the whole dress.” She smoothed the material over his friend’s left hip.

Alannah tilted her head at her reflection. “Do you have a smaller size? This is a little big up top.”

Julia shook her head. “You don’t need a smaller size.” She pulled the edges at the back so the bodice flattened against Alannah’s body and emphasized her small bust to a distracting level. “Maybe a little tailoring at the top, but the skirt fits you perfectly. You’ve got some hips, so we don’t want to go too small.”

“What do you think, Trent?”

They both looked at him expectantly, eyebrows raised, waiting for an answer. His throat tightened and he willed his eyes not to lower to her breasts.

“Looks a’ight,” he replied.

Alannah pursed her lips and turned sideways to the right, showing off the length of one creamy leg to mid-thigh. Then she shifted to the left. His eyes narrowed on the freckles spattered across her back. For anyone to see. Definitely showing too much damn flesh. Practically naked.

A vein in his temple throbbed.

“I like it, but let’s try something else. This is definitely a possibility.” Alannah shot him the thumbs-up sign before hurrying back to the dressing room.

Trenton let out the breath he’d been holding and swiped a hand down his face, removing the small beads of sweat that had popped out. What the hell kind of outfits had Julia picked? Alannah was a nice girl, not one of those women who showed all their goods for the world to see.

Before too long, both women returned. This time Alannah wore a short black dress that, in his opinion, barely covered her ass and hugged it too much.

“What the hell is that?” Heart racing, he shot to his feet. “Half the dress is missing.”

That dress was unacceptable. Un-ac-ceptable.

Two sets of eyes widened in surprise and looked at him.

“It’s a cocktail dress,” Julia answered.

“I see that. A real cocktail dress.” Heat prickled the nape of his neck and he swallowed the tightness in his throat.

Alannah sent a strange look in his direction.

Julia frowned at him. Black, high-heeled sandals dangled from her fingers, and sparkly things like jewels covered the thin straps. To his dismay, she bent down and encouraged his friend to put on what could only be classified as hooker pumps.

Alannah slipped them onto her feet, and a transformation took place. The heels had her calves looking right, and her posture improved. Overall she looked fantastic. Taller and sexy, with elongated legs and her butt displayed in all its round, grabbable glory in a dress that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Trenton’s stomach knotted up, and his blood pressure spiked high enough to cause heart failure.

Alannah took two steps in the heels and twisted her ankle. He almost ran to her, but Julia was there, lending a steady hand.

“Careful,” Julia said. “You can’t walk like you’re in tennis shoes. You have to move those hips, and you have plenty.”

Staring down at her feet, Alannah let out a low-pitched, nervous laugh. “I guess I’ll have to practice. I’ve never worn heels this high.” Chewing the corner of her mouth, she shot a look in Trenton’s direction. “What do you think?” she asked timidly.

“I don’t like it,” he answered, shaking his head vehemently.

Julia gawked at him. “What’s not to like? She’s got great legs, and now they’re shown off in a nice pair of shoes. The dress fits her body perfectly—emphasizing her best attributes in a positive way. It’s all about finding clothes appropriate for your body type.”

Trenton scowled. “Who asked you?”

Alannah gasped. “Trent!”

He pointed at her. “Stay right there. Don’t move.”