Page 64 of Love, Hate, Love

“Most of them are a bunch of assholes. Don’t worry about them.” I started pulling some of the dresses from the pile, separating them out.

“I don’t know, Leah. I’d be so out of place.”

“You, out of place?Idon’t fit in. I’m a convicted felon. Everyone willloveyou. Plus I need you there with me.” I studied her figure, thinking which dress might suit her the best. “Look, I’ve got these amazing dresses and they’re all going to go to waste. Cassie said she was sending me something special, so I won’t be wearing a single one, and I won’t be going to any other affairs anytime soon.”

She came a little closer, and then leaned in to look at a price tag. “Oh, I can’t take one of these dresses from you. They cost a fortune!”

“You have to. It’s crazy to let them all go to waste. I think this one would look amazing on you.” I grabbed a deep green, holding it up to her. It made her hair glow.

“Leah, I just don’t think…”

“Please, just try one or two on for me? It’ll be fun.” I shoved the green one into her hands and then piled a few more onto her arm, then pushed her toward the bathroom while she was still trying to figure out how to stop me.

I closed the bathroom door before she got her words back.

“Leah, I don’t know if?—”

“Just try them on! And I want to see each one after you do.” I took a seat on the bed, waiting for her to walk out and give me a fashion show. After too much time had passed I called, “Missy?”

“I feel stupid.”

“You’ve seen me covered in horse manure. You can’t pull that card.”

“Fine.”

She walked out in the green, and I was literally speechless. I’d known she had a good figure, but what she did for this dress? She looked so beautiful that I got goosebumps.

“I’m not going to make you try on any other dresses,” I said.

She sagged in relief. “Thank you, because this is so not my thing. I’m so awkward in this it’s painful.” She patted the dress with her hands. “I’m afraid I’m ruining it just standing here in it.”

I got to my feet. “Oh no. I’m not making you try on any of the others because you’re wearingthatone. You lookinsane. We just need to pick out shoes. I’ve got a box of those too.” I began moving boxes, trying to find where those had gotten buried.

“Leah, come on! I feel like an idiot. I’m going to break out in hives!” She was following me around the room.

“But you look like a bombshell, and that’s what counts. As far as the hives, we’ll get you an antihistamine.” I moved another box, finding the shoes.

“I just don’t know.”

I straightened and looked at her big eyes. Hopefully the universe would forgive me for what I said next. “You know, Alec will be coming.”

Or he would be after I called him tonight.

“He will?”

“Yep.”

“Well, what shoes do you think would look right?”

“I saw something just perfect.” I tried not to smile like a crazy cartoon character. Even if her crush worried me, I couldn’t help wanting him to see her like this. I wanted the world to see her because she deserved to be seen.

Chapter29

Kade

I walkedinto the kitchen and Leah was up on her tiptoes, stretching to reach for a glass. Her pajamas were one of those silky shorts and tank top combos that smoothed over her figure effortlessly.

I walked behind her, grabbing the glass and handing it to her, my body flush with hers for a second longer than was good for my mental wellbeing. Even the way she smelled nearly undid me, reminding me of cotton candy. I moved to a safe distance.

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