Free Weathering Jack Storm (Silver Strings G Series) by Lisa Gillis

manicure, a pedicure, facials, a deep conditioning cleanse of their hair, and much more wine on Randi’s part, they again settled their bill with plastic before stepping out into the bright California sun.
    Randi’s personal stylist was on this evening’s schedule to do their face and hair, so for now they wore wet ponytails.
    They returned to the boutique for the dress. Marissa met Jeanette who warmly greeted them then presented an array of accessories gathered from the shop that matched or complimented the dress.
    Randi was especially vocal over a pair of dangling ruby earrings. Marissa set aside the shoes that currently held her interest to hold the jewelry to her ears. As she beheld the beautiful stones in the mirror, her chest began to crush with the panicked feeling that had been assaulting her these days.
    The dress ticket had been well over four figures, the salon trip almost half that, and now these accessories...
    “No.” Determinedly, she shook her head in opposition. She wasn’t going to wear jewelry. “The dress doesn’t need it.”
    “Mariss...”
    Again, she flinched when the other woman used Jack’s personal name for her.
    “The dress may not need any more to it, but you do.” When Marissa only stared, clearly confused, Randi explained, “Tonight is your introduction. Into Jack’s world. At his drop party, no less. He would be embarrassed if you were not as glittered up as the rest of us. Not embarrassed of you,” Randi hastened to reword. “Embarrassed of himself.”
    Contemplating Randi’s words, Marissa watched through the plate-glass window as the rest of the world went by. Jack should be the one to buy her jewelry when it was charged on his card. Yet, she knew he would if he were here. She had seen how busy he was–probably too busy to think about trivial girl things.
    Most irritating was the fact that nothing in this store had tags on it. If you have to ask, you can’t afford. Reluctantly, she moved her chin in a slight nod of acceptance, and with a polite smile, relinquished the rubies to Jeanette. “Just the earrings. Not the bracelet. And please ring it up separate.”
    Before Tristan’s surgery, she had used part of Jack’s check to pay off a credit card, clearing it for any expenses related to Tristan’s recovery. It was this card, not Jack’s, which she would use to make the purchase. Technically, when tracing the money back, these earrings would still be still from Jack. However, it felt a little better than outright charging them with the other items for tonight’s outing.
    Jeanette balked at separating the set. Reluctantly, at both Randi and the store owner’s insistence, she agreed on a loan of the jewelry and that Jeannette could use any pictures of her wearing it as advertisement.
    “It is how things are done,” Randi assured.
    “I don’t know…” Marissa faltered over the third question. When she was not wearing the jewelry would it be in a safe? “I don’t even know if Jack has—”
    Randi leveled Gigi with a stare, and the young girl quickly thrust the paper to Marissa to sign with no further questions.
    Randi was sipping at wine as Marissa slipped on the dress again. The differences a few alterations made were astonishing. The dress was easily the most beautiful thing she had ever worn.
    In her euphoria, her steps were light as Jeanette held open the shop door and they exited the store. During the fitting, Jeannette had used a clip to hold Marissa’s wet ponytail up away from the dress. Now, as they walked, Marissa pulled the plastic accessory out so her hair could dry faster.
    Randi carried the small bags while Marissa carried the box containing the dress. When the other woman tripped off the curb, Marissa frowned in concern and offered, “Do you want me to drive?”
    “Would you?” Randi actually seemed grateful at the idea. Marissa froze. What had she gotten herself into? Driving a fifty-thousand dollar Bimmer in a city she didn’t know?