Page 21 of Blackmailed Marriage

Aria spun toward him, folding her arms beneath her chest. “Are you sure there aren’t a million other things you’d rather be doing?”

“Nope.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

Dante chuckled. “You’re right. There are a million other things I need to be doing, yet I am here with my wife, enjoying her company.”

“Shopping. I thought the whole adage was men hated to shop.”

He winked at her. “I’m not like most men.”

She was about to ask him more questions but their assistant arrived, as well as two other women.

“I’ve got everything to get us started.”

Aria hated shopping. Her mother would often complain about the size she had to wear, and usually it would result in a diet. Stepping into the changing room with the assistant, she wasn’t used to having someone with her. She expected the other women to make a snide comment about her weight, as that had happened in the past. Yet, she said nothing. No rude comment. No disgusted looks.

The woman who flirted with Dante seemed to have disappeared, and now was a woman of focus.

“I brought all different kinds of outfits. Is there anything you’re looking for?”

Aria glanced down at the woman’s name tag, to see she was called Chloe.

“I have no idea. This shopping spree is kind of a surprise.”

“Well, well, well, your husband is a keeper, Mrs. Gallo. You do not let a man go who is interested in spending money on clothes and even helping you.”

“Uh, what size did you get?” Aria asked, looking at the pair of slacks the woman had brought.

Chloe didn’t say it aloud, but showed her the size. “I didn’t want to appear rude by asking you, and I took a guess.”

“It’s right,” Aria said and smiled.

This was nice not to have any kind of judgment.

Changing into a pair of slacks and a sleeveless blouse, Aria looked at herself and then stepped out.

Dante stared up and down at her, and then shook his head. “Next.”

Not a great start, and for the next three hours, Aria was pretty sure she fell out of love with shopping. Not that she was ever in love with it. Dante was strict.

She happened to notice most of the dresses were keepers. The slacks and trousers he instantly dismissed. Then the skirtswere accepted, along with certain tops, which again had to all be fitted at the bust. By the end of those three hours, she had enough, and was starving.

When Aria thought they were finally going to be leaving, he then sprung another little surprise.

“Chloe, we’ve got a social event tomorrow night. Would you please find an evening gown for my wife?” Dante said.

Aria looked toward Dante as Chloe made her agreement and then left.

“What?” Aria asked.

Dante held up his cell phone, but it wasn’t like she could read the message. “Just came through. My father expects us to attend. It’s another engagement party.”

“When is it not an engagement party?” Aria asked. “Don’t you think this is a little soon? Tomorrow night?”

“Aria, you will be more than ready for tomorrow night. You have nothing to fear.”

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