Page 80 of California Dreaming

“Is that your tuxedo?” she asked. “Do you need help getting dressed?”

As always, she was thinking of him and not herself. He swallowed, suddenly nervous. He hoped that this was going to go the way he’d planned. “No, this is for you… if you want it. No pressure.”

The confusion on her face deepened, and she wrinkled her nose adorably as she always did when she wasn’t quite sure what was happening.

“It’s a dress,” he said. “And some shoes.” He put the box down beside her. “I know you didn’t find what you were looking for when we went thrifting and that Mila lent you something, but I saw this in one of the local boutiques and thought it would be perfect for you.” He paused a beat, but when she said nothing, he added, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it. If you do like it, there’s a seamstress on standby in case it needs alteration.”

Tessa’s eyes widened. “Wow,” she said. “What a lovely thought. I don’t think anyone has ever bought me clothes before, let alone an evening dress. Thank you.”

“Wait to thank me after you’ve seen it.” Arch laughed, his nerves really kicking in now. He was so desperate for her to love the dress and feel special. He unzipped the bag and carefully took it out, his eyes on Tessa the whole time.

She gasped when she saw it, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Arch, I—I don’t know what to say.” She looked awestruck. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”

Relief flooded through him. “You mean it?”

In that moment, he realized there was literally no better feeling on earth than making Tessa happy. He now acknowledged that he’d been afraid she’d refuse to wear it, letting her pride get between them. But, thankfully, she was doing the exact opposite.

She got up and came to touch the fabric. “It’s exquisite. Classic but modern too. I love it. I can’t believe you picked out such a perfect dress. It’s so…” She trailed off, clearly searching for the right words. “I’m just speechless. You really didn’t need to do this for me.” She looked a little shy. “But I’m so glad you did.”

“You deserve it,” he said quietly but firmly. “And it’s just a dress. Something for you to enjoy and a way for me to say thank you for coming with me. You’re doing me the favor, remember?” He gestured toward the shoe box. “Open it,” he suggested.

She lifted the lid, and there was that delightful little gasp again.

“Gorgeous,” she breathed. “They’re a perfect match with the dress.” She turned the sandals over in her hands and then looked up at him. “How did you know my size?”

“Don’t get mad, but I snuck into your room the other day and looked in your closet. I hope you don’t mind. You nearly busted me, in fact, when you came in from painting. Mila helped me choose the dress and shoes.”

She laughed. “Ah, I remember! I thought something was up, but then you seduced me, and I forgot all about—” She gave a little gasp. “That’s how Mila knew my shoe size. She and Erin totally had me fooled.”

He grinned and asked her to try on the dress. “In case we need to alter it.”

She thanked him again, then kissed him, and in a move so bold and beautiful it took his breath away, she stripped down to bra and panties right there in the living room.

Arch let his gaze rove over her perfect body. “You’re killing me.”

“In a good way?” she teased.

“In the best way imaginable.”

She took the dress from his arms and seductively stepped into it. She turned around and asked him to fasten the zipper. He slid it up her back, enjoying the softness of her skin as he let his fingers brush against it. “It’s a perfect fit,” he said. “Come into my bedroom and look.”

She slipped on the shoes and then headed toward his room. She gazed at herself in the full-length mirror while he watched her turn this way and that, admiring how the fabric caught the light.

He had already known the dress was perfect, but he was still blown away by how incredible she looked. It didn’t need alteration. The dress could have been custom-made for Tessa.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I can’t believe how beautiful it is.” She caught his eye in the mirror and then frowned slightly. In a quiet voice, she asked, “How much did it cost, Arch?”

He ran a hand through his hair, weighing his options. He’d been hoping she wouldn’t ask about money or where the dress was from so he wouldn’t have to lie.

But if he told her the truth, she might insist that he return it. He wanted her to have it, to shine and feel special.

He thought about telling her a little white lie—that he’d found the dress at another thrift store. But he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t bear to lie, in even the smallest way, to Tessa.

“I asked Mila to come shopping with me. And this was the one that we both knew would look incredible on you.”

Tessa was silent for a moment. “It must have cost a fortune.”

Again, he couldn’t lie to her. “A fortune to some, but not for me.” Before she could protest, he held up a hand. “I’m not saying you can’t refuse it, if you’re not comfortable with the idea of my buying you a dress. But I’m hoping you’ll agree to wear it. Because I love—” He stopped before he said too much. “Because I love that, for once, I can do something nice for you, when you’ve been bending over backward all these weeks doing nice things for me.”

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