Page 53 of The Temporary Fiancée
“Wait, wait,” I say. “What exactly am I looking for here? What do I need this dress for?”
“Well, you’ll probably want one for date nights,” says Sophie. “After all, I’m pretty sure you’re guaranteed to have run-ins with the paparazzi.”
She’s right; that’s kind of the idea, after all. If my picture’s going to be in some tabloid, I want to at least look put-together.
“And you’ll need one for the engagement photoshoot, right?” Riley adds. “Probably something a little more formal than the date night dress.”
I crack my knuckles, nodding. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
After around ten minutes of perusing the racks, I find a dress with a knee-length skirt, made from burgundy satin and a layer of black organza. It’s classy and elegant, but not too formal—perfect for date nights.
The dress’s price tag catches my eye, and I flinch at the number displayed on it. My nicest dress cost me a couple hundred dollars. This one is almost three thousand. I have to resist the urge to return it to the rack, suddenly worried I’ll rip a stitch on it and owe the store.
While I’m examining it, a clerk approaches me with a smile. “Are you Ms. Olivia Quinn?”
“I…” I stare at her, too stunned to respond.
She seems to understand, and explains, “Mr. Eastwood gave us a call to let us know you would be coming in. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to me.”
A flush creeps across my face. “Oh. Well, um, I’m okay for now. Thank you.”
“He also mentioned that your name has been added to his account, so if you would like to charge your purchases to him, let us know at checkout.”
In a daze, I nod, accepting her words. She drifts past me, approaching Sophie and Riley, who are on the opposite side of the store.
I’m not quite sure how to feel about this development. I guess it makes sense that Reed should pay for these dresses, since they’re all part of our agreement and he’s more than capable of it. But still, it feels like a kindness that I could never repay him.
And I’m unaccustomed to being treated this way. Like royalty. People holding doors for me, addressing me like I’m a VIP.
I glance back at the dress, looking it up and down. It really is beautiful, and I’m sure that all of the other dresses in this store are bound to cost a similar amount.
Sophie’s words float through my mind again:Once you start to embrace the perks, you’ll find yourself enjoying them.
I drape the dress over my arm and cross the shop, looking for Riley and Sophie.
The two of them have gathered an impressive array of potential dresses for the engagement shoot. These are longer evening gowns, more formal than the date night dress I picked.
They’re all stunning, and it takes me a long time to decide, but I eventually select an intricately patterned silk gown, form-fitting and sewn with pearls.
At checkout, I ask the clerk to put the purchases on Reed’s account, to which she smiles and nods. I’m reeling a little bit as we walk out of the store, stunned by the amount of his money I just spent. It’s dizzying.
Sophie and Riley seem to understand my shock, but they’re also enjoying themselves—and doing their best to get me to enjoy it, too. Our next stop is a jewelry store, for the most important part of our shopping trip: the ring.
We talk in the car on the way over, and I admire Riley and Sophie’s rings, each set with beautiful, uniquely cut diamonds.
“I probably can’t expect something like this,” I say mournfully. “If this werereal?—”
“Oh, come on,” Riley encourages me. “Why not? Find a ring you actually like.”
I shake my head. “This is really more about practicality.”
“So? Reed will want you to pick out something you like. I know it,” says Sophie.
We pull up outside of the store, and this time, I remember to wait in the backseat until the driver opens the door. The three of us file into the store, and I blink rapidly, my eyes adjusting to the blaze of light inside the store.
Outside, it’s a cloudy day, but in here, every corner is illuminated by spotlights designed to catch the facets of the gems. Hundreds of priceless rings glitter in the display cases around us, attended by the jewelry store’s staff and half a dozen cameras.
Tentatively, intimidated by the security atmosphere, I approach one of the display cases. The attendant gives us a tight-lipped smile.
