Maybe Something Cute?

You take a deep breath, peeking out from behind the velvet curtain of the fitting room. David is still lingering near the displays, pretending to examine scarves while clearly waiting for you.

"David?" you call softly, your lilting voice carrying across the boutique. "Could you... pick something out for me to try?"

His head snaps up, surprise evident on his face. "Me? You want me to choose?"

"Just something nice," you add quickly, stepping halfway out of the fitting room in Clara's borrowed clothes. "Maybe something... kinda modest but cute?"

A smile tugs at the corner of David's mouth. "Modest. Right."

Clara appears beside him, arms already loaded with potential outfits. "Did I hear correctly? David gets to play stylist?" She nudges him playfully. "Go on then, banker boy. Show us your taste."

David moves through the racks with surprising confidence, occasionally glancing back at your petite frame as if taking mental measurements. After a few minutes, he returns with a single outfit on a hanger—a dark emerald wrap dress with three-quarter sleeves.

"This," he says simply, offering it to you. "It's elegant."

Natalie swoops in to inspect his choice. "Excellent eye! The Ivy wrap dress is one of our bestsellers." She takes the garment and ushers you back behind the curtain. "Let me help you into this."

Before you can protest, she's in the fitting room with you, tugging Clara's borrowed sweater over your head. "Arms up," she instructs, leaving you standing in just the black lace bra and jeans.

"I can manage," you insist, crossing your arms over your chest.

Natalie ignores your protest completely. "Jeans off too. This dress deserves proper presentation." Her tone brooks no argument.

Reluctantly, you shimmy out of the jeans, hyperaware of your nearly naked state in the borrowed underwear. Natalie holds the dress open for you to step into, then pulls it around your body, adjusting the wrap style to accentuate your waist.

"Perfect," she declares, turning you toward the mirror. "See how it highlights your coloring?"

https://imgur.com/a/Le6RWZ0

The reflection startles you—the dress hugs your new curves in a way that's undeniably flattering. The deep green makes your copper hair seem to glow and brings out the vivid emerald of your eyes. It's modest by most standards—covering your shoulders and falling to just above your knees—but the wrap style creates a V-neckline that hints at cleavage and cinches your waist tightly.

"Come out and show everyone," Natalie encourages, already pulling back the curtain before you can prepare yourself.

You step out hesitantly. The boutique suddenly seems very quiet as both Clara and David turn to look at you. Clara's expression is one of delighted approval, but it's David's reaction that catches you off guard. His eyes widen slightly, a flush creeping up his neck as he takes in the sight of you in the dress he selected.

"Turn around," Clara instructs, twirling her finger. "Let's see the full effect."

You comply, rotating slowly, feeling the dress swish around your thighs. When you complete the turn, David is still staring, his expression difficult to read.

"What do you think?" you ask, your voice coming out softer than intended.

"It's perfect," he says simply. There's something in his tone—a warmth that wasn't there before—that sends an unexpected shiver down your spine.

Your phone buzzes in the fitting room. When you glance back, you can see the pink glow emanating from behind the curtain. Task completed.

15:15 | Saturday 2 August 2025 | Slink Boutique, Putney

[TEMPT TIER TASK] | Complete | Pending reward: +3 Return Points