Page 9 of What If We Do

She beams. “Thank you. I appreciate that. I work hard, but I like to play harder. So, with that being said, we need to get you a killer costume for tonight.” She bites into her chicken wing again, leaving sauce in the corner of her mouth and of course, on her fingers. Before I can even point it out to her though, she swipes a finger over the sauce on her lips and then wipes her hands on her dress, much to my shock and amusement.

“I could’ve gotten you more napkins, you know.”

“What good are napkins when you have a perfectly good twenty-thousand-dollar dress to trash?” She laughs and then stands. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Chapter 4

Scarlett

“Okay, let’s see what these look like before we look at anymore. If we’re lucky, one of these will be the perfect costume for you.” I pat the pile of costumes Oliver is carrying, internally taking note of how patient and easy going he’s been while we’ve sifted through just about every adult costume in this boutique. “Dressing rooms are in the back.”

“Alright.” He turns toward the back of the store but then stops and looks back at me.

“What?”

“Well, come on! You have to be back here so I can put on a fashion show.”

A huge smile spreads across my face and I clap my hands excitedly. “Eeeek! I was hoping you would say that! I’m so in!” Following Oliver to the back of the store, I take a seat in one of the chairs placed outside the dressing room so I can wait for his first reveal.

He comes out after a few minutes with his arms out, turning in a circle with a smirk on his face. “What do you think?”

Narrowing my eyes a bit, I shake my head. “I don’t think I’m feeling the bell bottoms and groovy glasses. It’s not…you.”

“Good. I hate it.” He laughs. “I just didn’t want to upset you.”

I giggle at his response. “Hey at least we’re on the same page. And I’m pretty hard to offend so don’t think you have to tiptoe around me. Fairly sure I’ve already lived through the most offensive experience of my life anyway.”

His smile falls and he lowers his voice when he asks, “I know I haven’t really mentioned it a lot but do you want to talk about it?I’m more than willing to listen if you want to vent, or, you know, cry or scream or whatever.”

He’s so sweet for offering. “That’s very sweet of you, but no. I’m good,” I say with a quick shrug and a bob to my head. “I mean it comes and goes, you know? Mark was an asshole who didn’t love me the way I needed to be loved. We weren’t meant to be. Better to not show for the wedding than put that ring on my finger and lie through the I-do’s you know? Then I’d be in an unhappy marriage wishing I had never walked down that aisle in the first place.”

“I suppose you have a point. Well, if you ever need to talk, you know…”

“I guess I know where to find you.” I smile at him. “And thank you. I really do appreciate it.”

“Alright then. So honest feelings about costumes from here on out?” He asks changing the subject back to the task at hand.

I give him a hardy nod. “Yes. Thank you. What’s next?”

“Be right back.”

He takes a little longer this time so I flip through my social media and take a quick close-up selfie so nobody can tell I’m wearing my wedding dress and post it to my profile letting my followers know we’re preparing for tonight’s festivities.

“Alright, coming out.”

“I’m totally ready,” I tell him, slipping my phone into the pocket of my dress.

Oliver steps out in his Mandalorian costume and with his helmet on there isn’t a person on this planet who would know who he is.

“Wow! How do you feel in there?”

“Hot.”

I nod. “Yeah. I wondered. I mean it might be nice for you because not a soul would recognize you and you could enjoyyourself without worry, but then again, having to wear that helmet all night could be a bit hot and or claustrophobic.”

“Agreed. On to the next one.”

I sit back in my chair, a contented smile on my face, and call to him in the dressing room. “Have I told you yet what an awesome guy you are for doing all this with me today?”

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