Page 71 of Five Days to Be Mine

I’m toasting a bagel when Evan comes out of the shower, looking his usual perfect self in a light grey suit and a dark silver shirt.

“I like that dress on you. It hugs your boobs nicely.”

The dark green dress was a gift from my mom and I had stashed in the back of my closet. It was a size twenty-four but this particular outfit hangs loose on me. The flowy skirt tapers down from under my bust, kind of baby-dollish and I like it.

“Thanks.”

“It’s perfect for our errand.”

“What errand?” I was distracted when Evan mentioned it, thinking about my dad.

I had managed to get through Christmas without talking to him, but he always showed up around this time of year.

“To buy more furniture,” Evan takes my bagel off the plate and wraps it in a paper towel.

“Hey! What about coffee?”

“We’ll get some on the way.”

“Fine,” I grumble. But he raises his eyebrow at me. “It’s worth it princess, let’s go.”

We get coffee from the hotel café and then we are in his car. Evan chats to me about his parents. His mom and dad have been married for decades and it sounds lovely, the kind of upbringing I wished for even though he called it fun chaos.

At some point I hadn’t meant to, but my thoughts drifted, thinking about my dad and I lost track of what Evan is saying.

“Mara, everything okay?” Evan asks me now, a firm hand on my shoulder.

“I like waking up next to you, too,” I say, with an effort pulling my thoughts from the jumbled emotions of the past to this moment.

“I can’t wait to repeat it.” Evan grins, his eyes sparkling. “Here we are.”

I can’t tell where we are, because we’re in a plaza with several stores, the doorways facing the parking lot.

I go to reach for my door handle.

“Wait, Mara.”That Dom tone does something to me, makes me all fluttery and hot. I take my hand off the door handle, drinking in the sight of Evan straightening his jacket.

He comes around and opens my door.

“My princess.”

“Thank you, Sir Evan.” I accept his hand and he closes the passenger door, beeping the car locked.

“I love hearing ‘Sir’ from your lips,” Evan murmurs in my ear. The timber of his voice makes me shiver. The press of his hand to the small of my back feels almost familiar.

It makes me feel kind of panicky for a moment, like I shouldn’t be here with this hot guy. I don’t deserve to be in this relationship and I need to bolt.

“Mara, come with me,” his cool tone bats away those fears as he leads me to the second doorway.

“Winsome Lighting and Decor,” I read from the sign.

“This is the place to get a mirror.” The bell chimes as Evan opens the door.

I step into a room of white walls with gold specks, soft beige carpet under my flats.

The room is huge, with mirrors hanging on the wall, lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling, and tables and chairs in elegant arrangements throughout the space.

I stop at one display that has a green theme. A green oversized armchair, a green and grey coffee table and a light that looks like a huge mushroom.

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