Page 42 of One Good Reason

“I hardly want to take them off,” she gushed as she further admired the black padlock sandal.

“Unless you plan on spending the next couple of hours in them, I would suggest putting your sneakers back on.”

“Where are we headed next?”

“Tailor.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I texted the driver to let him know he could come around.

“Ahhh. I forgot. Did you see where Becca went? I need to give her my card so she can ring me up.”

“It’s taken care of.”

“Law, I could’ve bought my own stuff.”

“I’m sure you could have.”

“You didn’t…”

“It’s done and over with now,” I asserted.

Talitha’s brows hiked before she finally lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Since you’re buying, maybe I should get some jewelry to go with the dress.”

“We can go once we get the bags.”

“I’m kidding, Lawton.”

Without taking my eyes off the phone, I told her, “I’m not.” I brought her here and had no intentions on letting her spend a dime of her money.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” she asked as she stepped into her shoes.

“Dinner at the hotel. I told you I didn’t plan for anything. I figured we would be exhausted from the travel. Why? You had something you wanted to do?”

“Nope,” she popped. “Dinner will be just fine.”

“Mr. Harvey,” Becca calling my name brought my attention up from my cell phone. “If you could sign right here, you guys will be set to go.”

Taking the receipt out of her hand, I signed it and handed it back to her. Grabbing the bags from the floor, I held onto them and escorted Talitha out of the door. The door to the truck was gaped open, waiting for us to enter. After bags were loaded, we were off to our next destination.

“You must come here often?”

I was standing on the podium in front of wall to ceiling mirrors while the tailor pulled, tucked, and pinned my suit together. Talitha was sitting in a chair behind me with her ankles crossed, asking a million and one questions. The wine coupled with the champagne that she’d been served while at Tom Ford, and now the glass she was handed when we arrived at Forest Parlor had her chatty.

“I have a few business associates here. What drew you to that conclusion?”

“You have a personal tailor here.” She downed the contents of her glass and leaned to place it on the table sitting beside her.

“I like what I like. If you do good work, I’m loyal to your business. Ain’t that right, Forest?”

“That’s right, Mr. Harvey.”

“It must be fun to have money,” she muttered.

“This again.”

Tossing her hands up in mock surrender she smirked. “I’m joking.”

“Anything special you require for dinner tonight?”

“I’ll be fine with whatever you’re having.”

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