He ushered me toward a rack of dresses. I flicked through them and came out with three the assistant suggested.
I glanced over my shoulder and found Cleb lying near-horizontal in his chair, bored to tears. I felt sorry for him and came up with a cunning plan.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said to the assistant.
I took a seat beside Cleb and whispered hurriedly to him.
“I’ve got a new secret mission,” I said, glancing left to right as if someone might be eavesdropping.
He snapped to attention.
“What is it?” he said.
“You know this event I’m going to tonight with Traes? It’s not just a social gathering. I’m there to look for undercover spies.”
His mouth fell open.
“But you’re an undercover spy…” he said.
“Yes, but I’m a good one. I’m looking for the bad ones. It’s really important I fit in at this event. If I stand out, they’ll notice me… And maybe I won’t come back.”
“They’ll take you?” Cleb said, genuine fear painting his face. I hadn’t meant for him to take it so seriously. He wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t go!”
“I won’t go anywhere,” I said. “My commanders said we’re doing a really good job. They want to make sure we stay here and keep doing what we’re doing. But to do that, I have to go to the event tonight. I need you to help me pick the best dress. Can you do that?”
Cleb wiped his nose and nodded.
“Yes,” he said. “I can do it.”
“Okay. I’m going to go change,” I said. “When I come out, I want you to tell me which dress looks best.”
He nodded his head and this time sat upright. He kept his eyes fixed firmly on me as I entered the changing rooms.
I came out wearing the first dress. It was a short, sexy little number. Cleb clapped his hands excitedly when he saw me. I performed a turn and extend my arms out to either side.
“Gorgeous!” the sales assistant said, joining in the applause.
I headed back to the changing room and emerged in the next dress. Cleb held up both thumbs again. It was white, beautiful, and elegant but the train made me nervous. If somebody else didn’t tread on it, I certainly would. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass Traes.
I put it in the Maybe pile.
The final dress was red, with frills around the chest and hem. Cleb clapped his hands excitedly.
“Well?” I said. “Which one do you think is best?”
“All of them!” he said.
I kissed him on the forehead.
“You’re very sweet,” I said. “But I only need one.”
Cleb pursed his lips and bit his bottom lip. As he thought my life depended on this decision, I wasn’t sure it was best for him to choose.
I turned to the sales assistant, who said, “You look gorgeous in all three…”
“But?” I said.
“If I may, I would suggest the black dress,” he said. “It goes beautifully with your skin tone and if you wear a little makeup around your eyes, I think it would really draw people in. May I also suggest you rent some jewelry? A nice simple diamond or white gold necklace would stand out.”
He certainly knew his business. Lure the customer in with a dress and make them upgrade with jewelry. What girl didn’t like jewelry?
I changed into my original clothes and placed the white and red dresses back on their hangers.
I drifted over to the small jewelry case in the corner. The assistant came out with a simple white gold necklace that shimmered brilliantly.
“Mined from our very own planet,” he said with more than a hint of pride. “Cleaner white gold you will not find anywhere in the galaxy.”
It did look exquisite.
“How much is it?” I said.
“Rented for a single evening?” he said. “Fifty credits.”
I had no idea how much that was but I took it anyway. Traes did say I could buy whatever I needed, didn’t he?
I wanted his jaw to drop open, for him to stumble and flounder in her adoration. Okay, so maybe that was a bit much to ask but a little appreciation would go a long way.
The assistant placed the items in a bag and handed them to me.
“That’s three hundred and fifty credits,” he said.
I handed him the credit coin. The assistant’s eyes boggled at the sight of it.
“You didn’t intend on buying the entire store, did you?” he said.
“No, why?” I said.
He shook his head and waved his hand.
That single credit could buy this entire store? Now I wished I bought the other two dresses.
“Okay,” I said, turning to the chairs where Cleb waited. “We can now go. How about we go to the candy store—?”
The chairs were empty. Cleb wasn’t there.
I peered up and down the aisles to either side. No sign of him.
That was strange.
“Excuse me,” I said to the assistant. “Have you seen the little boy I came in with? He was sitting on those seats but it appears he’s wandered off.”
“No, I’m afraid not. He might have wandered into the changing rooms looking for you. Children do that sometimes.”
He moved into the changing room area and pulled the curtains back. He came out shaking his head.
Cleb wasn’t there either.
Okay, now I was beginning to panic.
“Cleb?” I yelled at the top of my voice. “Cleb?”
I moved through the store and checked every nook and cranny.
No sign of him.
I ran out into the street. My heart thumped loudly in my chest.
I had one responsibility. Ensure he was safe. That’s all. I never should have left him by himself. What was I thinking? I should have kept him close to me at all times.
“Cleb?” I yelled.
I was getting the attention of passers-by. I didn’t care.
I ran down the road, checking the nearest alleyways.
I froze.
There, Cleb stood staring up at a store’s front window.
“Cleb!” I yelled.
I ran to him, dropped to my knees, and embraced him.
“Don’t you dare run off like that again!” I said. “I thought something bad happened
