Page 33 of Vacation Friends

Just touching him caused electricity to shoot through her. Slipping her arms around him proved how muscular he was. How fit. That he was a man who took care of himself.

And he smelled just as she imagined he might.

Like evergreen.

Like expensive, lux evergreen.

Like expensive, lux evergreen as it grew in the Alps.

The kind you might experience while on a luxurious vacation where no expense was spared.

She cleared her throat, reminding herself to keep her thoughts in check. Then she wrote down his measurements and showed him.

Satisfaction filled his gaze. “I’ve lost inches around my waist and gained some around my chest. Just what I was hoping for.”

Yes, a physique like his did require care and commitment. He seemed like the type who gave attention to the things most important to him—his job, his money, his body.

She cleared her thoughts and tried to focus. “So what exactly were you thinking of? Something sleek and elegant? Or something more casual?”

“It’s for a charity event. What do you think?” He glanced over his shoulder at her.

Cecilia observed him and tried to picture what she would pick for him.

She grinned as an idea hit her. “I know the perfect suit. Come with me.”

Garrick followed her to the other side of the men’s department, and she pulled out a black Dior suit. Slim cut and sharp. Expensive.

“How about this one?” She held it up. “It would look great with a pale blue tie to stay casual or a striking red if you wanted to make more of a statement.”

His eyes sparkled. “You’ve got a good eye. Let me try it on.”

He grabbed it and disappeared into the changing room. When he emerged several moments later, Cecilia’s jaw nearly dropped open. He looked even better than she had imagined.

“What do you think?” He stared at himself in the mirror, brushing lint off one of the shoulders.

“I think it’s perfect. I don’t even think it needs to be altered. It’s like this suit was made just for you.”

“I was thinking the same thing.” He observed himself another moment in the mirror and then nodded with approval. “Pick out a tie for me—you’re choice since you’ve got excellent taste—and then I’ll take it.”

Satisfaction filled her. She’d picked the pale one blue one. It would look fantastic with his eyes.

“Great,” she murmured. “Then I can ring you up.”

Garrick followed her to the register. Her hands shook as she scanned the tags. The price of these suits never failed to amaze her. How could people pay this much for one outfit?

He paused and tilted his head as he watched her before asking, “Do you have plans tonight?”

His words startled her, and Cecilia looked up to see Garrick looking at her with a twinkle in his gaze. He was asking about her plans for tonight?

“Just the normal,” she finally said. “Nothing too fun.”

“What do you think about going to this fundraiser with me?” The twinkle in his eyes turned to a glimmer of hope.

Cecilia tried to shake off her shock at his offer. Had she heard him correctly? How did she even respond?

Cecilia finally settled on, “I think there’s no way I can afford a dress that would match this suit.”

“Then I’ll buy you one.” His eyes sparkled as he said the words.