Page 62 of Captivated By Him

“Okay, the room’s set. Let’s see what else there is.” Lena’s back and pointing at another dress I’m certain Micah won’t like her to wear in public.

“How is the opening coming?” Kasia asks as we follow Lena to a new cluster of dresses.

“Good. I think we’ll be all set. I’ve gotten a few critics and independent bloggers to attend, so I think that will help get the word out.”

“Jakub is really talented with the clubs. Dominik doesn’t have to worry about them at all with Jakub dealing with it.”

“I guess they all have their own talents,” I say. Jakub doesn’t deal with the family business in the same capacity as Dominik, and even though he says nothing outright, I think it pisses him off.

“I’m adding this one. I’ll be back.” Lena grabs another dress and disappears into the changing rooms.

“I know your parents have passed away, but do you have other family? Cousins? Aunts, uncles?” Kasia asks.

“No, not that I know of. Mom and Dad were all each other had. You come from a large family? Outside of Dominik?”

“Yeah, sort of. My father kept me secluded mostly, but I had cousins here for a while. They’ve left now, back to Poland or to New York.”

“After you married Dominik?” I ask. I know bits and pieces of their history.

“Mostly.” Kasia stretches her neck and waves in the air. Lena’s back out of the dressing room, stomping to us with a deep frown on her lips.

“What’s wrong?” I ask when she reaches us.

“None of them fit,” she complains, grabbing her purse from Kasia who’d been holding it for her.

“Did you ask for a different size?” Kasia asks.

“No.” Lena shakes her head, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “I do not need a new size. I need to shop somewhere the dresses are true to size.” And with that, she stomps off toward the escalators.

I exchange a confused look with Kasia before following her to the stairs.

“Uh.” I notice the sign on the next level. “Do you think we can look here?”

“Here?” Lena looks to the floor.

“Yeah. Jakub’s apartment is a little…”

“Man-cave-ish?” Lena fills in for me.

I laugh. “Yeah. A little. I thought, maybe I’d pick up some things for the bathroom. Just a little. Not too much.”

Kasia touches my forearm. “It’s not Jakub’s apartment anymore, Nicole. It’s yours too.”

“I know.” I shrug. It’s not supposed to be mine. This entire situation was supposed to be temporary. Jakub’s declaration really shouldn’t change anything. But seeing these women, these sisters, it’s making the future not seem so foggy.

Besides. A new bathmat doesn’t change anything.

“Okay. Let’s get shopping.” Lena leans to the side to speak to our bodyguards standing a few feet behind us. “Hope you guys are ready to carry some bags.” She wiggles her fingers at them, then grabs hold of my arm, dragging me toward the towels.

A bathmat, I remind myself. Maybe some towels.

Nothing too permanent.

Chapter 18

Jakub

My father coughs into his handkerchief then folds it in half and tucks it into his pocket. I look over at him, concern hitting me at how pale he looks today. His suit seems bigger, too.

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