Page 145 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
Looking uncertain, she takes it from me and slips off to the dressing room. I follow her, glad I don’t have Logan’s thing for dressing his little. I couldn’t do it all the time. But this is a special occasion.
Cynnie steps out of the little cubicle. I wolf-whistle, loud enough for her to blush.
“Oppa, it’s so pretty, but—” She runs her hands down the rose silk, patterned with cherry blossoms, that molds across her breasts and hips.
“Baby, you look so beautiful.”
She twirls around and peers at the mirror mounted on the dressing room door. “You think iz okay?”
“I think it’s gorgeous, but what’s important is whether you’re comfortable.”
“I don’t usually show off my—” She gestures to her sweet, round breasts.
“I’ll be with you the whole time. Will that make you more comfortable?”
She nods and does another twirl. “So pretty.”
“It is. And I know cherry blossoms are your favorite.”
She tilts her head back and forth as she looks at her reflection in the ankle-length gown. “You mind if I’z take a picture? See what some people think?”
“I don’t mind at all. Send it out to your two million fans and see what they say.”
She giggles, but ducks back into the changing room to retrieve her phone. When she comes back out, she takes her time lining up the shot, making sure no one else is reflected in the mirror. She takes several pictures and sends them off but doesn’t wait for responses. She changes back into the midnight blue sweatshirt and pastel layered skirt, leg warmers, and sneakers she’s worn shopping. She carries the gown out over her arm and edges toward the register.
“Yes?” I ask.
She nods shyly.
“I can’t wait to see you in it.” I hold out my hand for the dress.
“I can buy this, Oppa,” she says, hesitating. “Doan wants you spending your money on my clothes.”
I lean in and kiss her on her forehead. She’s so different from Julie, who played me for everything. Clothes. Meals out. A fat “loan” to help her pay first, last, and a security deposit on an apartment she never rented. Cynnie never asks me to pay for anything, but if she did, I happily would. I’ve known her less than half the time I dated Julie, but I trust Cynnie so much more.
“Baby, I’m very happy to buy a dress for you. I’m sure you have other dresses to wear tomorrow, but I want you to have something special that we picked out together. It’s my treat.”
“Okay, Oppa.” She tucks into my side and we go up to the register together.
Without the fear of being snatched off the street by Lindy’s mercs, I can take Cynnie out to dinner after shopping. While we’re sharing a cold, peanut noodle salad at the fusion restaurant she’s picked, her phone rings. I see her brother’s name pop up on the screen. Since we haven’t made any rules about phones at the table, I don’t object when she answers.
I hear his raised voice even with the phone to her ear, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.
Her brow beetles. “That can’t be right. I checked it just last week. I have an email from them confirming,” she responds to whatever he’s saying.
She’s silent for a moment while he continues to yell. Her eyes sheen. “I’ll call them now.”
More yelling. I reach across the table and take her free hand. Her fingers squeeze mine until her knuckles whiten.
“Let me just call them and I’ll get it straightened out, Jun. No, it’s not too late.” More yelling. “Well, why did you do that? I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.”
He yells for a long time, while Cynnie looks at the ceiling, blinking rapidly. “It’s not ruined,” she says, her voice small. “It’s just a couple of days.”
His voice drops but she continues blinking at the ceiling. “I don’t know. He has something important this weekend.”
Her eyes slide down to mine and a tear rolls down her cheek. I reach across the table and blot it away with my fingertips. “It’s okay, baby,” I mouth at her.
She shakes her head, looking utterly miserable. I’m not sure what’s happened but as soon as she gets off the phone, I’m going to help her fix it.
