A Girl's Best Friend

"House party," Jimmy said. "Jack and Millie's."

"Ah, the fun one. Okay, darling, are you looking to lure the men into bed or just into watching you?"

"Um, neither."

"Watching her," Jimmy said. "She's a cute little dancer, and we want them to see her shaking her stuff. Don't think she'll be dragging anyone into bed, though at that party you can't ever tell, right, Helga?"

"Absolutely. What happens at Jack and Millie's stays at Jack and Millie's, though. Do you know what you want for your shows?"

"Yes, but I'd like to help Ryanna pick out a few things first. What have you got for her to try on?"

"Hmm. Give me a minute." Helga minced away.

Ryanna looked at the tag on one of the bustiers and gasped. "Jimmy, I'm not going to be able to buy anything here. Just this is more than my clothing budget for a month."

"Don't worry about a thing, honey. Those are Helga's special items; the clothes she'll show you won't be quite so much. And if you spot something you must have and don't feel like you can afford it, I'll help you out and you can pay me back."

Quite an offer. Despite their conversation at the nail salon, they hadn't known each other very long, and in Ryanna's experience people didn't like to loan money to people they didn't know well. Then again, Jimmy had paid for the nail salon and had seemed to enjoy watching her be pampered. He wouldn't have offered to buy her clothes if he didn't mean it. "Thanks. We'll see how much things are."

"Sure. Just speak up if you do want something. I don't mind helping a girlfriend find her fashion sense."

Helga came back with an armful of skirts, tops, and dresses. "Come with me, sweetie, and let's see what we can find. Fitting rooms are right this way."

Ryanna and Jimmy followed her to a few stalls with half-doors at the back of the store. Helga set the clothes on a chair. "Take a look at them first and see what you want to try on. Some of them may not be your style."