First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

but one. She added a couple of her own choices to the stack and they headed toward the back to find the fitting rooms.

“Do you wanna see each one?” Sky eyed the pile warily.

“Only if you really like it or,” Leah chuckled, “if it’s so awful we need to see it. Right, Liam?”

“Yeah, really pretty or really ugly, we wanna see it!” In his enthusiasm, he spoke loudly.

The saleswoman gave Leah a look that either meant she should control Liam or she took offense at the idea they’d sell ugly dresses. Leah didn’t care and laughed along with the kids.

Sky entered the dressing room with her haul. Leah found a bench and sat down. Liam put his airplane in his pocket and then climbed up next to her. He leaned in.

“I missed you.”

Leah hugged him close and kissed the top of his head. She had missed him too. Missed all of them so much her heart ached. Leah wasn’t sure she wanted to engage in that conversation with a small boy though. As she silently debated how best to respond, Liam pulled away and pointed.

“Now THAT is a green dress!”

“Oh, my!” She eyed the tube top style dress. It was a shocking lime green and made of fabric that would stretch to almost any size.

“It looks like it could fit me,” Liam shrugged and continued looking around. “You should try on that one.”

Leah followed the direction he was pointing and laughed aloud. It was bubble gum pink and covered in ruffles. They both giggled.

“Okay, I’m coming out!”

Sky appeared in a dark purple dress. It had wide straps, a rounded neckline and hung straight down. She shrugged and turned in a circle.

Liam gave it a thumbs down. Sky let out a sigh and returned to the dressing room. Leah quickly got up and retrieved the largest size available in the pink dress.

“What are you doing?” Liam’s eyes bugged out as she pulled it on over what she was wearing. Then he giggled.

“Like my dress?” she swooshed the ruffled skirt around. Liam giggled again and eyed the green dress. Leah noticed the saleslady was occupied helping someone checkout, so she grabbed the green dress and offered it to Liam. He raised his arms and Leah pulled it on over his head. His work boots really made the outfit.

“Sky!” Liam bellowed, “We found you more options, come see!”

Sky opened the door and stepped out in a light blue dress. It was pretty but nothing special.

“What did you—O.M.G. No!” She looked torn between amusement and mortification. It was a fine line. Thankfully, humor won. She joined in their laughter.

“Okay, I’m gonna get out of this dress and you two get out of yours. We gotta get out of here before they kick us out!” she teased, stepping back into the dressing room.

Leah helped Liam out of his dress lickety-split. Hers took a little longer. Since the back was still unzipped she was able to pull the dress up and wiggle out. Just in time too. Sky stepped out right as the saleswoman reappeared.

Sky’s eyes darted from Liam to Leah before a look of relief formed on her face.

“Did we find the perfect dress?” the saleswoman asked.

“Um, no. Sorry.” Sky awkwardly handed back all the rejected dresses.

“Let’s try somewhere else,” Liam suggested.

Based on the saleswoman’s expression, Leah thought she was happy to see them go. Leah didn’t care. She was having fun. She winked at Liam and he giggled. Sky gave them both a stern look. They barely made it out of the store before they all erupted into laughter.

“Don’t ever do that again! I almost died!” Sky was still laughing as she scolded them.

“What? You didn’t like my dress?” Leah pretended to be shocked. “It had pockets.”

“Mine was green, Sky. Like neon green!”

“I know, I saw,” she ruffled his hair. “But I thought you two were here to help me?” Sky’s voice teased playfully.

“We did. We showed you what not to get!” Liam gave them a cheeky grin, clearly proud of his contribution.

Leah loved the things he came up with. She took his hand as they made their way through the mall. They passed several stores before something caught her eye.

“Oh, look. That’s pretty,” Leah pointed to a storefront window display. Sky considered, then nodded.

As they entered the trendy boutique, Leah looked down at Liam and warned him this was a nice store. She told him she would need his help to make sure she behaved. Liam promised, ready to take his job seriously.

A friendly associate offered to help them. Leah pointed to the dress in the window, “Do you have anything else like that? With the mesh at the top? Maybe a little shorter?”

The lady eyed Leah’s belly and frowned slightly.

“For me, please.” Sky interjected.

The associate looked instantly relieved. “Oh! Yes, wait right here!”

When she returned with a dress, Sky quickly nodded and disappeared into the dressing room.

Leah thought the empire waist dress was absolutely perfect. It was sleeveless with a round neckline. The top was a fine mesh across the collarbones and shoulders. The bodice and skirt were shiny satin with an overlay of the same mesh. The contrast between the materials elevated the simple dress design.

When Sky stepped out in the dress, Liam looked from his sister to Leah with wide eyes. Leah nodded. The dress fit and flared perfectly on Sky. Leah watched Sky study herself in the mirror. She shifted her hips back and forth, watching the double layers flow and move. She turned and the skirt twirled around her knees.

“It’s not too fancy, is it?” Sky fiddled with the satin ribbon tied at her waist.

“You’re beautiful,” Liam’s little voice came out in a whisper.

“Aw, thanks, bud.” Sky smiled and studied herself in the mirror. “It is beautiful, isn’t it,” she concluded.

“I’m going to have to agree with Liam.” Leah took a breath and hoped her words came out right. “The dress isn’t beautiful, you are. It could be the prettiest dress in the world, but if the person