Page 61 of Home Run

There should be a music montage playing in the background instead of the soundtrack of me huffing through another pair of pants, some scarily large maternity bras, and I’d point-blank refused to try on any workout clothing.

“Jeans next. My stylist swears these are the best for maternity,” said Holiday, thrusting a pair at me. “I have the regular ones, which is what I’m wearing now. So if you like them, we can get them in all colors, which makes it easy.”

“Okay, but then we’re done. I truly can’t take any more.” I flopped down on one of the chairs and wished I hadn’t. It was too comfy to leave. “How long have we been here? The store must be opening soon.”

“An hour and twenty,” replied Holiday, checking awatch that looked exactly like Tanner’s. “We’ve still got half an hour.”

“It’s going to take that long to pay.”

“Exactly, that’s why they’re ringing it up as we go. I thought it would save time.” She smiled, like she’d come up with the best plan ever, but my heart beat a rapid pulse.

“What? But I don’t know what I want yet. I’ve tried on hundreds of things.”

“Not quite,” replied Holiday, unaware of the panic rushing through me. “And we’re taking it all.”

“Holiday! I can’t afford to buy everything I’ve tried on.” I had a little money saved, and my mom’s credit card, but there was no way I was buying everything. I don’t even know why I’d tried it all on. But like her brother, she wasn’t used to hearingno. “I’ll get the workout clothes, a couple of jeans, and the sweaters. That’s enough to get me through the winter.”

“Winter, of course.” She slapped her palm to her head. “We need coats.”

“Holiday.”

She stood up, marched over to me, and grabbed my shoulders. Her gaze was so intense as she stared at me in the exact same, determined way Tanner did. Firm mouth, strong nose, and sculpted cheekbones. Except she was blonde where he was dark. She was smooth where he was rugged. But underneath it all, I felt like I was looking right at him.

“First off,” she began. “I get forty percent off everything, which practically makes it free. Second, Tanner is paying. Except for that super cute jumpsuit you tried on,I’m buying you that. Plus the giant stuffed duck, because I’m a cool auntie, and I give the best gifts.”

I didn’t askwhatstuffed duck.

“No. He can’t pay, either, I don’t care if he has the money.”

“Millie, you’ve met my brother. If I don’t spend the entire day treating you like a queen and giving you enough new clothes to fill that walk-in wardrobe of yours, I’m going to hear about it until the end of time. And I’m not prepared to do that, sorry. It’s where I draw the line.”

I sighed. She had a point. I was also not a fan of hearing about it until the end of time. And was I really some special kind of brat to complain about Tanner asking his sister to take me out for the day when she was already so busy? Plus, who didn’t want a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes?

“Okay, thank you, Hol. I’ll let you spend Tanner’s money.” Glancing over her shoulder, I spotted a sweater I’d seen before my fashion show had started. A navy-blue cashmere sweater withdaddyembroidered on the front in red thread. Tanner had already given me so much, and I’d given him nothing. I’d taken it from the hanger, instinctively knowing how much he’d love it, even if it had made Radley laugh. “But I’m paying for this.”

“Good girl.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You want my discount, though, right?”

“Of course.” I held up the jeans still gripped in my fist. “I truly don’t need these, can we find Radley and go have brunch now?”

Holiday tutted, took the jeans, and placed them against my body. “These look fine, I trust the fit. We’ll buy a few and if you like them, my stylist will send youthe rest.”

“Thank you.” I breathed out. “Thank you, Hol. I mean it, you’re going to be the best auntie. I know it.”

Her smile lit up her entire face, the one she was famous for. The Hollywood starlet.

“You bet I am.” She hugged me. “You go and find Radley, I’ll pay and then we’re moving to our next destination.”

Millie: Thank you for asking Holiday to take me out. It was really kind of you

Tanner: Anything for you. Are you having fun?

Millie: I am. Now I’m not under Holiday’s rule and I’m sitting down with someone rubbing my feet

Tanner: I’ll rub your feet whenever you’d like *winky face* You name the time, I’ll be there

Millie: Don’t make it weird

Tanner: Nothing weird about me wanting to rub your feet. I like your feet. *angel emoji*

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