Page 57 of Mr. Red

“Matt!” I scold in a whisper. “I never know what topick when I’m shopping. I usually have my friends who know what they’re doing.”

“You wanted to go in, so we’re going in. Go take a look.” He nods to the store. “There’s no rush.”

“Surely you don’t want to be here with me shopping. We can go on an adventure. You know, somewhere else.” I wave my hand towards the door.

“You’re going to need something nice for what we’re doing later. I’ll take care of it. Come on.”

“You’renotbuying me clothes!” I say in another hushed yell.

“Just let me take care of you. You know I’m going to win. Humor me.”

I look up at him with a hard glare, hoping he can feel it down to his toes. It appears to have no effect as he pushes me towards the clothing options. Now I have all this pressure to pick something pretty. I’m going to end up looking like a clown without Jason.

A woman wearing white pants and a black, frilly shirt with an understated belt greets us. “Hi, welcome in! Anything I can help you find?”

Matt answers for me. “She’s just looking for now, but we’re going to need a dress for a dinner tonight, it’s a special occasion.”

“Okay. I can help you get started. We have some options through here.”

We follow her to the dresses. Ineverwear dresses. Well, unless Paige picks a scandalous one for going out. It’s usually one ofherdresses I borrow. What the hell do we need to get dressed up for later? I’m quite alright with going somewhere casual or having dinner at his beach house.

I turn to Matt and whisper. “We can just hang at your place.”

“I want to take you out. Already have a reservation.”

I give a small smile to the clerk. “Dresses are nice and all, but is there something like the jumpsuit in the window?”

“Hmm, yes. Just this way.” She leads us over to some cool blazers, pants, jumpsuits, and blouses. “I’ll come back to check on you two.”

Matt turns to me with a frown. “You don’t like dresses?”

“I don’t mind dresses.” I shrug. “I just don’t know how to pick one that works on me. I’m very rectangular.” I glance down at my body.

“You’re beautiful.” His eyes hold contact with mine. “Pick whatever you feel comfortable in, sweetheart,” he says, then kisses the top of my head. “I need to step out for a minute. You okay until I get back?”

“Yeah.” I can escape the moment he leaves.

He must know I have ulterior motives. “You need to pick out something by the time I’m back. Got it?” I can tell he’s staring at me from the corner of my eye, waiting for confirmation. He’s not getting one.

I put one hand on my hip, swiping the options across the rack with the other. I pull out something random, ready to put on a show. Then I see the price tags and my eyes widen.

“Okay, off we go.” I hang up the garment and grab his hand. I pull him towards the exit, but he stays put.

“I told you to not worry about it. I’m taking you out and I can get whatever you want.”

“No, thank you. Let’s head down to another spot.” I pull his hand again.

“No. They have what you’re looking for. Get what you want or I’m going to pick a dress thatIlike, but either way, I’m getting you something to wear tonight. In here.”Another kiss to the forehead. “I’ll be back in twenty. Pick something.”

I watch him leave, my cheeks heating to the temperature of a volcano while I squint my eyes at the back of his head. I don’t have many options here. I can show up underdressed, let Matt pick a dress, or find what I want and return it.

I find the least expensive jumpsuit I can, which is still five hundred dollars—impeccable stitching, lightweight, and dark blue. Why do people need to spend so much money on clothes? People are crazy.

The woman comes over to me and asks if I want to try it on. The other options were twice as much, so I’m sticking with my blue jumpsuit.

“That’s all right. This one will be fine,” I tell her.

The door jingles, signaling Matt’s return. He comes up behind her, takes the item and goes to the counter where the woman packages up the suit in tissue paper and a nice bag. Matt pays while I stand behind him like a scared little girl. My leg pumps as I look around, trying to focus on anything else. This is weird.

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