I thought that we would browse the racks, pick out the clothes we like, but we do no such thing. Instead we head to the sleek Personal Shopping quarters of the store. It’s all jazzy piano music, soft lights, and plush chairs, and I can totally see why Renee loves coming here. We walk across the white floor, heels clicking in the airy space. There’s a large window letting in light, and a private room the size of our dorm where Renee can try on her dresses in comfort. Everything is already in her size I guess, because I don’t see any extras or anything. Laura’s also got a selection of purses and heels she’s pulled from the sales floor for Renee to inspect too. Talk about service!
“And this, and this, not this, and this...”
Renee picks up a bright fuchsia dress and holds it up to herself in the mirror.
“What do you think?”
“Sure,” I tell her. “Give it a go.”
She nods and Laura’s assistant places it on a rolling rack, wheeling it into the changing room.
“So what brings you to us today?” Laura asks as she bustles around. Her assistants have been sent to fetch us more tea and pick up a few date dresses that Renee’s in the mood to buy today as well.
“Oh, I’m just visiting. I’m Renee’s roommate and best friend at college,” I tell her. “It’s my first time in New York.”
“And how are you liking it here?” she asks. “Is it what you expected it to be?”
Not at all, I think to myself. I definitely didn’t intend to sleep with my best friend’s father!
“I’m definitely getting lots of new experiences,” I say at last, which is true at least. “I think it’s going to be a very interesting week.”
Renee steps out, and we both turn our focus on her. She’s in a gorgeous, ruffled, color blocked dress that shows off her mile long legs. She turns in front of the mirror, head tilted to the side.
“What do you think?” she asks.
“I think you look amazing,” I tell her.
Laura holds up a pair of heels with black studs and a red sole.
“These would go perfectly with them,” she says. “Adds an edge to the ruffles.”
“Ooooo,” Renee says, her eyes lighting up. “I love them!”
She steps off to try on another dress, but her phone buzzes and she stops to look at her phone. A moment later she looks up.
“Hey,” she says hesitantly. “I know we were going to go to the Statue of Liberty tomorrow, but Sebastian says he’d like to see me again. Would that be okay?”
“Of course,” I tell her quickly. “I need to catch up on some readings anyways.”
“Okay,” she says with relief. She quickly texts him, and seeing how excited she is, I know I made the right decision. I mean, it’s not like anything’s going to happen, right? Her dad’s going to be working all day, so it’s not like I’d be seeing him or anything. Right?
The next hour goes by in a blur as Renee tries on more and more things. Dresses, jackets, jeans, shirts, everything I could imagine. No wonder Renee comes back with a completely new wardrobe every time she goes to New York. Laura’s very good at her job, suggesting just the right accessories to go with the outfits, never pushing too hard, but always saying the right stuff. I’m really impressed actually by how well she does her job. By the time she’s finished, I think Renee’s spent over $10,000 dollars, all of which gets whisked away to the valet so we don’t have to deal with things like holding onto bags. Once we say goodbye to Laura, we head up to the store’s cafe to sit down and relax with a cup of coffee.
“So tell me, have you any more thoughts about your mystery guy? Anything you might remember about him so we can figure him out?” Renee asks.
I think she’s feeling guilty still about leaving for Sebastian, but honestly I don’t mind. I’m just happy that at least one of us is seeing something come out of it. I would never begrudge my best friend some happiness. And I jealous? A little, but that’s not Renee’s fault.
“No,” I tell her, hating the fact that I have to lie. “He was just a sexy man in a suit. Loads of them in New York.”
“You’re right,” Renee says. “But I still wish that you’d left your number or something. I mean, it sounded like you two caught on like a house on fire. It just seems sort of a shame that it’s all over before you guys could really begin.”
Her words hit home, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore in case I’d be tempted to spill the beans. I know that it wouldn’t solve anything if I did, just complicate things further, and the temporary relief of telling my best friend the truth would be overtaken by the lost friendship. Not to mention the fact that Renee might never forgive her dad. I would be devastated if I ruined that relationship somehow too. In the short time we were at the apartment, I could tell he loves her for sure.