[h2]Esme[/h2]
 Before Esme turned to ask the boys their opinions on the dresses she liked, she had secretly watched them in the mirror, seeing how uncomfortable Dean seemed and how perfectly comfortable Duke seemed. Of course, Duke would be comfortable, was getting free booze, and there were pretty girls. She almost laughed as she watched them. It still got her how different the two were from one another, but still alike in some ways. One way they were similar was how fiercely protective they were of her, which could be sweet and annoying at the same time, but she wouldn’t change that about them. After turning and asking them their opinions, Esme watched them both, taking in Duke raising his eyebrows and seeming speechless before elbowing Dean. Focusing on Dean as he opened his mouth, she smiled as Dean stuttered out his answer and blushed. It was pretty damn cute. “But hopefully not too distracting.” she replied warmly to him with a grin. Her attention went to Duke as he laughed and answered in his usual flare. She saw the look Dean gave him. Esme playfully narrowed her eyes at Duke,  lightly shook her head, and softly laughed. “You have no idea how nice I clean up, Cowboy.” she joked with a grin. 

“You, on the other hand…. I guess we’ll just have to see.” Esme continued to joke with a smile. She then turned back to the three women with a warm smile. “Let’s start with these first.” she said, pointing to a few dresses. They nodded and led her back to the dressing room after one woman got her shoe size and a pair of heels. Seconds later, two of the three women came out and waited. Once alone in the dressing room, Esme proceeded to get undressed behind the curtain, starting with her boots and socks. Once undressed, Esme chose to go with the silky teal strapless number. It had silver detailing on the bodice and a little more throughout the dress. The front was just low enough to be a bit dangerous, and the back was open to mid-back and laced, similar to a corset and a mid-thigh slit. Once she slipped into the dress, she held the front in place while she slipped her feet into the heels. They felt a bit strange since he hadn't had to wear a pair in a while. Stepping out from behind the curtain, the woman who stayed behind smiled. “Let me help you with the back.” she said warmly. 

Esme turned with a “Thank you”, bringing all her hair to her right shoulder as she held the front of the dress in place. Esme looked in the mirror as the woman laced and tied the back of the dress. She felt a little exposed but couldn't deny it was a lovely dress. “This color looks so lovely on you.” the woman said as she finished. “This is a lovely color.” Esme said with a smile. “Why don't you go out to the bigger mirror so you can have a better look and so the two gentlemen can see how gorgeous you look.” the woman suggested with another smile. Esme laughed a little and nodded her head before responding. “Okay, but I'm a little afraid their eyes will pop out of their heads.” Gathering up the bottom of the dress as the woman laughed with her, Esme walked out of the dressing room and to the large mirror. “You look stunning.” the older woman told her as she walked over to her, smiling softly. Once in front of the mirror, Esme smiled back, released the bottom of the dress, and looked at the dress from all angles as the older woman adjusted parts of the dress. 

It hugged her in all the right places, but she thought it would bring her more attention than what she actually wanted. There was also the thought of one false move, and she’d fall out the top, and she could scarcely breathe. “What do you think of this one?” the woman asked, looking over Esme’s shoulder into the mirror at her. “It’s lovely.” Esme replied warmly. “It’s definitely a maybe.” “Maybe is good.” the woman smiled. “But you want to see the others before you decide.” “Yes.” Esme nodded with a smile. “I understand.” the woman replied. After gathering the dress up, Esme returned to the dressing room, but not before flashing the boys a warm smile. Esme went in and out of the dressing room a few more times, looking for that one dress that felt right. The last dress she came out in was a velvet royal purple, off-the-shoulder number with a slight plunge in the front, and the back was open to mid-back. It hugged every inch of her and slightly fanned out at her knees. She was liking this one more and more the longer she looked at it. Esme turned to the three women to tell them that this was the one she wanted but stopped herself when she saw another dress just out of sight of the boys. 

Esme stared at the dress momentarily before smiling and looking at the older woman. “Could I try that one?” she asked, gesturing towards it. The women turned and looked to where Esme had gestured. “Yes, ma’am. Of course…. I didn’t think to show you that one because most of the women in town don’t like that one.” the woman told her. “Really? I think it’s a gorgeous dress.” Esme replied. With a genuine, warm smile, the woman sent one of the other women to retrieve the dress Esme had pointed out. Esme watched as the woman went to get the dress, then turned and faced her when she got to it. “This one, right?” “Yes, that’s the one.” Esme smiled. When the woman returned, Esme walked back to the dressing room with her and immediately changed out of the dress and into the new one she had found. She stood in front of the smaller mirror and looked at it on herself with a smile. “This is the one.” she told the woman. “Are you sure? You don’t want to look in the bigger mirror.” she questioned. “I’m sure this is the one.” Esme said matter of factly. 

“I think your gentlemen friends will be disappointed they missed you in this one.” the woman smiled. “Perhaps, but they’ll get one heck of a surprise tonight.” Esme grinned. The woman laughed as Esme took one last look at the dress before changing out of it and back into her clothes. Once changed, she came out from behind the curtain, handed the dress and heels to the woman, and walked out with her and over to the boys. “I found the one I want. I’m ready when you two are.” she grinned. She then looked over at Duke. “I hope you didn’t drink too much. We don’t need you sloshed before the party has even started.” she joked. Esme then took Dean’s hand and walked with him up to the front of the store.