Page 61 of Captivated By Him

Lena links her arm through mine. “If it wasn’t Jakub’s guys it would have been Micah’s or Dominik’s.”

“She’s right.” Kasia steps ahead of us and enters the ground floor of Macy’s.

I still remember when it used to be Marshall Field’s. I was a little girl back then and my parents would bring me to Chicago for Christmas. We’d see the Marshall Field’s Christmas window decorations depicting a story using the display windows on Michigan Avenue and have lunch beneath the gigantic Christmas tree inside the store.

“Face it, our husbands are overprotective possessive men.” Lena lets out a mock sigh. “It’s a burden.”

I laugh. “You don’t sound that put off by it.”

Kasia leads us to the escalators and the two men tasked with babysitting us for the afternoon follow behind.

“She’s not. Micah would give her anything she wanted so long as she flashes a smile while asking.”

“I don’t ask him for things. I can take care of myself,” Lena protests, letting go of my arm and leaning against the rail of the escalator.

“I didn’t mean you were spoiled.” Kasia puts a gentle hand on Lena’s arm. “I just meant he’s overprotective but he’s not a jerk, doesn’t keep you from doing what you want.”

Lena nods and her eyes soften. “He does spoil me, but not in a bad way.”

Kasia laughs. “That’s his job. Dominik is the same way.”

Lena’s face screws up with repulsion. “Eww, I don’t want to know what my brother does for you.”

Watching them is like watching old friends, sisters really. And they should be. Maybe not by blood, but they are close.

“Jakub will let up soon.” Lena turns her attention to me as we step off the escalator and head to the women’s department. Lena’s in the market for a dress for a wedding on Micah’s side of the family. Apparently, her husband had ordered a dressmaker to meet with her at the house, but Lena insisted she was going shopping like a normal person.

“I know,” I say, moving through the department, glancing at all the dresses. There aren’t racks like at the department stores I’m used to. While there are a few display racks, there are only a few dresses on each of them. She’ll have to have a shopper get the dress from the back if she wants to try anything on.

“Once the addition opens up, I’m sure he’ll relax.” Lena stops in front of a manikin wearing a shimmering silver dress. Strapless and the neckline runs deep—like down to the belly button deep.

“Micah will kill you.” Kasia comes to stand beside Lena.

“Micah will love it,” Lena beams.

“There’s no way he’s letting you wear that around his family,” Kasia argues.

“Who said it’s for the wedding,” Lena argues back with a grin. She reminds me of Jakub with her playfulness. I know they were close growing up, but I wonder if he knows how much of him rubbed off on her.

Kasia laughs. “Good point.”

“I’m going to get a room set aside.” Lena leaves us to find a saleswoman to help get her settled.

“I know it’s hard at first.” Kasia turns to me, compassion filling her eyes. “Being married to Jakub, it’s not like a normal marriage, right?”

Is anything about Jakub normal?

“I guess not.”

“He’s overbearing, bossy, and possessive?” Kasia’s lips twitch at the edges.

“That sums it up pretty well, yeah.” But he’s more, he’s also attentive and caring. He doesn’t push too hard, but lets me open up to him without harsh demands.

“Once the issue with the Kaczmareks is settled, it will calm down.”

“You know about that?”

Kasia nods. “I’m probably not supposed to, but Dominik doesn’t always remember to leave the room when he’s talking business.” She smiles. “He trusts me.”

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