Page 355 of Dark Love

“Yes. Two nude Soft as Air bras and I’d like matching panties in a high cut.”

The woman’s eyes move from mine to the door. She freezes for a brief moment, then whispers, “If things go sideways, there’s a door to the alleyway.”

“What?” Why would she even say something like that?

“A scary-looking man just walked in without a woman on his arm. Bad things are about to happen.” She inches back.

What is with my life? I should run first and ask questions later, but my head turns of its own accord.

HE CAME IN! Even after I asked him to meet me in the car. “That’s just Vex. Everything is fine.” Except maybe the fact that my head is exploding. Can I roll up in a ball and die of embarrassment? Though he won’t know anything about what I’m buying.

“Vex? You?” Her head bobs between us. “Well, that explains the coat. You should have him pay to get you custom-made stuff.”

“It isn’t like that.”

“The way he’s staring at you is exactly like that.”

Nope. Nope, not thinking about any of this or what it means for the future. Live in the moment. “I have people waiting.” Like that wasn’t already obvious. “Can I check out, then wear a set out?”

Her eyes freeze on me. “Are you—Is this—You know what, I don’t think I wanna know.”

She thinks I’m naked under the coat. Well, I sort of am. Going without underwear is a very uncomfortable experience. It’s not at all freeing like some people might say. “It’s nothing like that.” I let the coat slip away to show that I’m fully covered.

“Rich people make no sense.” She walks over to a couple of drawers on the wall, grabs the four items I asked for, and heads to the register.

This I can do. This I can handle. I’ve bought clothing before. Just pretend he isn’t here.

Pay.

Change.

Leave. It’s as simple as that. I slip my credit card out of my purse and hand it to the cashier.

“What are you doing?” Vex’s voice fills my ear. His minty breath brushes my cheek.

I jump out of my skin.

This is not happening.

This is not happening.

Everything has been a nightmare since I left work on Friday night. But even in a nightmare, this just isn’t going to fly with me. “I’m paying for my purchases.”

Don’t look at them.

Whatever you do, don’t look down at them.

“We’re shopping together.”

Like I’m not vividly aware of that. And his point is? There’s no answer to that statement.

“Put your card away.”

“No.”

“You don’t pay when we’re together.”

He didn’t just say that. “I certainly will pay for my own clothing.”

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