Page 125 of Sin Bin

Jess’s eyes widened. “Seriously? She can get anything?”

Meadow ignored her. “I don’t need anything. Really. I mean, I hear what you’re saying about the dress code, but it won’t bother me if I’m a little underdressed. Besides,” she added, her nose wrinkling as she looked around the store, “everything here is ridiculously expensive.”

Jess snorted. “Who cares? It’s not your money.”

Meadow frowned. “I know that. It’s the principle of the matter.”

“Screw principles,” Bianca chided, wandering past with the saleswoman. “It’s his birthday and he’s buying. If he wants you to wear a ridiculously expensive dress to the party, give the man what he wants.”

“If you don’t,” Jess asserted, “I’d be more than happy to!”

The others cracked up laughing.

The saleswoman looked positively gleeful.

In the end, Meadow was strong-armed into buying a long red backless gown with a high slit on the right side. Bianca also found the perfect dress, a flowing blue number with a plunging neckline that showcased her marvelously voluptuous cleavage.

After leaving the store, they decided to take a break from shopping to have lunch. When they reached the second level, Jess lingered at the Cartier display window, wistfully admiring the glittering jewelry.

Meadow didn’t miss the way Nadia and Scarlett tucked their hands into their jeans pockets, discreetly hiding the dazzling ten-carat diamonds on their fingers. Nadia was sporting a custom-made Harry Winston engagement ring. Scarlett’s pink sparkler was made by Graff, an exclusive British jeweler favored by European royalty. The only reason Meadow knew these details was because Jess had pried them out of Nadia and Scarlett while they were all waiting to board their flight that morning.

“I’m starving,” Meadow announced, playfully bumping her hip against Jess’s. “Let’s go eat before I pass out.”

Everyone laughed and headed into Wolfgang Puck’s Cucina. As they were being shown to their table, Meadow received a text from Logan.

Hey beautiful. Whatcha doing?

Her heartbeat doubled. Having lunch with the girls, she texted back.

Yeah? Where?

Cucina, she typed, sliding into the seat beside Bianca. Thank you for the dress. You really didn’t have to do that. Srsly.

Is it pretty? he wrote back.

Beyond pretty. It’s amazing.

Can’t wait to see you in it.

Her stomach quivered.

Get some shoes and jewelry to wear with it. There was a pause before he added, And sexy lingerie.

Her face turned all shades of red as she retorted, You’re not gonna see my underwear, dude. Nice try!

He texted back a bunch of laughing emojis.

Shaking her head, she continued, I’ve spent enough of your money. You’re the one who should be getting gifts, birthday boy.

Instantly she knew it had been the wrong thing to say. She cringed, wishing she could unsend the message.

There was a long pause.

She waited anxiously for the dancing dots to reappear on the screen.

Gotta run, Logan finally responded. Enjoy your lunch.

Thank you. Have a good game. See you soon.

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