Lorren drove up to the nondescript two-story building and parked right out front. Plain gray stone with plain white trim made the understated building blend in with the others on the block.
She checked the piece of paper resting on the passenger's seat. Yeah, this was the right address, she thought. Her friend Anita recommended this place over a month ago, but Lorren wasn't the least bit interested. Now she was at least ready to try.
She checked her reflection in her rear-view mirror. She shook out her thick auburn hair, styled in an easy, swinging bob. She stroked her cinnamon-colored skin. Not bad, she sighed as she admired herself from different angles. At least it's much better than before. At least she's no longer hideous.
Hands shaking, she got out of the car and pressed the button for the intercom. Waiting, she frowned as she looked at her reflection in the glass door. Her loose, gray sweater and simple white denim skirt had once been one of her favorite outfits, but not anymore. Today, all she could see was the dated look of the plain garments.
Lorren's figure was lean, but she pinched her waist anyway and snorted in disgust at the bit of extra flesh she felt there. The usual butterflies in her stomach fluttered as what seemed like an eternity passed. Finally, a deep, yet sensual feminine voice boomed over the intercom.
"Yes?"
Lorren's voice shook. "Hi. I'm Lorren Tate. I have an appointment?"
"Hi Lorren. Come on up to the second floor."
A buzzer went off and the door unlocked. As Lorren walked in, she was immediately greeted with the sight and scent of an assortment of vanilla candles. In addition, tiny tea lights placed well around the room also gave the area a soft, warm glow.
The lower level of the building reminded Lorren of an upscale lounge; it was furnished with a soft black leather sofa and loveseat in the center and had small tables and plush chairs around the perimeter. An expensive Oriental rug lay over beautifully finished hardwood floors. This would be a great place to entertain, Lorren thought. At one point, she loved to throw parties and have friends over, but recent events in her life made that impossible. She sighed heavily, a wave of sadness suddenly rushing over her.
Lorren finally spotted the staircase in the corner of the room. As she climbed up, her palms began to sweat. Nervous, she unconsciously wiped them on her skirt. "Oh, shit," she said as she instantly realized her mistake. Her handprints left marks on the white fabric. "Damn it," she grumbled. "I can be so careless sometimes."
She sighed as she continued up the stairs but when she reached the landing, she was surprised to see strands of scarlet beads hanging from the upstairs doorway. As she parted them and stepped in, she gasped, awestruck at what she saw.
In and around the room were racks and racks of the silkiest and sexiest lingerie Lorren had ever seen.
Royal-blue corsets were positioned across from pink bra-and-panty sets. Jet-black silk robes and pale yellow sheer nighties were located right next to candy-apple red silk teddies. Racks of tiny silk and satin panties hung neatly from hooks fixed to the walls.
Scores of sexy stockings and garter belts were displayed in glass cases throughout the shop. Several colorful feather boas were also draped around the room.
Lorren was especially struck at seeing so many styles of black patent leather heels housed in their own display case. She also noticed that the mannequins in this store had various sizes and shapes. Very different from the usual mannequins she saw. That put her a bit at ease.
"Welcome, my dear," Lorren heard the sensual voice say. She turned to see a tall, slender woman stride gracefully from the back of the shop.
The exotic woman had soft, smooth, kissable skin the color of rich, dark espresso. Her stunning almond-shaped eyes were highlighted with smoky black and brown shades. Her bright and pretty smile was decorated with a vibrant berry lipcolor. Her jet-black hair hung in loose waves well down her back. Her nails were artfully manicured, as her neck, wrists and fingers were adorned with delicate gold jewelry. She wore a black lace wrap dress that hit above her knee, showing off her toned calves. Four-inch jet-black heels gave her legs the ultimate sleek and sexy look. "Hi Lorren. I'm Miss Lila. Welcome to Summer Rose Lingerie."
By this time, Lorren's face was beet red. She couldn't believe that she'd stared at the woman that long. She quickly composed herself. "Hi Miss Lila." She looked around. "You have a very nice place here. But I have to admit: I'm not too sure about this..."
Miss Lila held out her hand. "Come. Sit." She gently led Lorren to a set of leather chairs in the center of the room.
"Is anyone else here?" Lorren asked.
"No. This is a private appointment. We're the only ones here." Miss Lila took a seat directly across from Lorren and looked into her timid brown eyes. She quickly read Lorren's apprehension and decided to be upfront about it. "Now why are you so nervous? Are you uncomfortable here?" Miss Lila asked
"No, I'm not nervous," Lorren said abruptly. "I'm just not sure if this is for me." Lorren looked over and spotted a gold string bikini hanging on one of the display racks. A vision of herself in the bikini flashed in her mind. Ugh, she thought. "No. This place isn't for me."
"Why not?"
"This stuff," Lorren waved her hand around, "this stuff is for...other women. Not me." She suddenly grabbed her purse. "I have to go. I'm sorry if I've wasted your time."
"Lorren, why are you so tense? You're gorgeous. And you deserve luxurious things just like anyone else."
"No," Lorren protested. "Don't say that."
"It's true." Miss Lila reached out to gently stroke Lorren's cheek. "You're a beautiful woman, Lorren."
"You say that now," Lorren said. "But you wouldn't have said that a year ago..."
"Why not?" Miss Lila asked.
Lorren fell silent but she balled her fists tightly.
"Lorren? Why not?"
Lorren still refused to speak but dug her nails tighter into her own flesh.
"Lorren?"
"It's because I was...heavier back then," Lorren whispered.
"Heavier?"
"Actually, I was huge." Lorren hung her head down.
Miss Lila looked at her questioningly.
Lorren sighed. "Not too long ago, I was over a hundred pounds overweight."
"Tell me about it, Lorren," Miss Lila pressed.
Lorren hesitated, but Miss Lila's expression was filled with such caring and such concern that she decided risk it. "Well, here's the short version: My dad died a few years ago and I think I just ate myself into oblivion. I was so sad that I really didn't care about myself anymore. I didn't watch my diet and I rarely exercised. But eventually I just got sick of it. I felt horrible because I was always sluggish. And nothing fit me anymore. And I was so unhappy."
Miss Lila gently stroked Lorren's hand. She then reached out and tenderly tucked a loose strand of Lorren's hair back behind her ear.
Loving Miss Lila's gentle touch, Lorren's voice grew stronger. "So I decided that I had to change. I had to free myself. Not just free myself from the weight, but free myself from treating myself so carelessly. So I decided that even if I never lost a pound, I would at least watch what I ate and work out on a regular basis. And as I felt better, I kept going. And it eventually worked out."
"How long did it take?"
"Just over a year."
"Well, congratulations on your effort." Miss Lila said. "You look beautiful now. But I have to be honest: I personally believe that every woman is gorgeous, no matter what her size. And I believe it's my job to make every woman see that she has the right to be glamorous and sexy and confident. So even though you didn't think so, I'm sure that you looked gorgeous back then as well."
"No I didn't," Lorren admitted.
"I find that hard to believe," Miss Lila answered. "For example, don't you know that you have an amazing bone structure? And a drop-dead gorgeous smile? And stunning legs?"
Lorren's shoulders relaxed and she chuckled. "Now you're just trying to sell me lingerie."
"Yes," Miss Lila laughed. "That may be true. But I'm more interested in selling you some self-esteem."
Lorren's head snapped. "Excuse me? What did you say?"
"Easy, hon," Miss Lila said smoothly. "I didn't mean to rattle you. But I do believe in being blunt. And, to put it bluntly, you need to feel better about yourself."
Miss Lila held out her hand. "Will you let me help you?"
Lorren paused. This woman was seductive as hell but borderline rude, but Lorren looked down at her loose, baggy sweater. She even noticed the frays around the sleeves. Who was she kidding? Her wardrobe was pitiful. Since her dramatic weight loss, most of her clothes didn't fit anymore, and the ones that did were seriously outdated. As her friend Anita suggested, having a professional lingerie fitting could be the perfect start to a whole new wardrobe. A whole new life, even.
"Ok," Lorren whispered.
"Come with me."
Lorren followed Miss Lila to the rear of the shop. As they reached the fitting area, Lorren noticed several carefully stacked boxes and neatly filed papers in the back workspace. She was immediately impressed at how tidy and orderly Miss Lila's shop was.
"Lorren, pick a fitting room, go inside and take off your top."
Lorren's eyes widened.
