[h2]Esme[/h2]
 Esme didn’t answer Duke’s comment about calling the woman back and asking about the necklace. If she had not mentioned what was so important about it, she probably wouldn’t tell him if he called her back. But she did wish he had asked while on the phone with the woman, nonetheless. When Dean answered her with questions, she nodded to his first and then gave him a knowing look at his second. “You know how I feel about wearing dresses, but if that means I get to see you in a tuxedo, I can deal.” she answered with a grin. Esme watched as Dean glanced between herself and Duke and finally gave in to going to the party. She smiled, leaned back into the couch to look at both boys without any trouble, and listened as the two talked, taking it all in. She nodded as Duke quickly explained, but she forced on his words ‘either one of us,’ which meant she would likely be the distraction in this. ‘Lucky me.’ she thought. Which meant she was going to have to put on a smile and deal with a drunk man possibly groping her while Dean and Duke took care of business. 

Esme’s attention was pulled to Dean as he grumbled a reply to Duke, causing her to smile. Of course, he would drink, and she knew he wouldn’t be kept away from the finger foods. She watched Dean as he walked over to her, placed his hand on Duke’s shin, and leaned down to kiss her. Esme leaned up and quickly kissed him back and smiled with a nod. “Alright.” She watched Dean step away and toward the stairs before looking at Duke as he leaned in close to her with a bright smile. “Pfft, of course, you’d say that.” she said, giving him a friendly little shove. “So, I’m assuming my role in this is to be a distraction while you and Dean get the necklace?” she questioned. “Walk and dance around the main area so most eyes are on me and have the men drooling over me and possibly get my own little trinkets out of the deal?” she added with a grin.


[h3]A Little Bit Later[/h3]
Esme walked into the dress shop with the boys in tow. There were dresses of every color for every occasion on racks and hanging throughout the shop. It would have been overwhelming if she hadn’t been in a shop like this before. Walking further in, she started looking at a few dresses, almost scrunching her nose at the thought of wearing a few of them. Finding a dress for such a fancy occasion would be more challenging than she thought. Moments later, she was approached by a slightly older woman with a bright smile. “Welcome in. Is there something specific I can help you find?” the woman asked kindly. Esme pulled her eyes away from the dresses she was looking at and looked at the woman with a warm and friendly smile. “Thank you. I’m looking for a dress for tonight’s party. I know I’m cutting it close, but you know how things can get in a busy life. I could have sent one of these two, but there’s no telling what they would have brought back.” she said in a friendly manner and light laugh. “Oh, yes, ma’am. We’ve had a few other ladies come in looking for dresses for the same party today.” the woman said with a light laugh in return as she glanced at the boys. 

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you some dresses I think will look amazing on you.” Esme nodded, her smile still on her lips, and followed the woman near the back of the store, where they were met by two more women closer to Esme’s age. The older woman stopped and turned to face Esme, looking her over thoughtfully. “I think reds, teal, purples, and gold would look really nice on you and make your eyes pop.” the woman started, getting nods from the other two. “For style, I think something that shows off your curves, low cut but not too low cut, off the shoulder or strapless, and something silky with a little lace. I’ll pull a few dresses, and you can tell me which styles you like.” she smiled. The older woman leaned in close to Esme and whispered into her ear. “When I get through with you, and these two see you in the dress, they’ll be drooling over you.” Esme couldn’t help but laugh at her words. There was really only one guy she wanted to have drool over her wearing one of these dresses, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t want to see Duke’s reaction.

“Alright, I trust your opinion.” she told the woman. The three women gathered a few dresses in the styles and colors the older woman mentioned and returned to show Esme after they placed her in front of a mirror. They held each one in front of her, giving her time to look it over before switching to another. “I’m leaning more towards the off the shoulder one with the low back and lace detail.” she told the women. She then turned to the boys and smiled warmly at them. “What do you guys think?”