Page 50 of Dark Love

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.”

Vex hands his card to the cashier and plucks mine out of her fingers. “I always pay.”

“Well, that’s just silly. I’m perfectly capable of paying for my own clothing.”

“Doesn’t matter. When you’re with me, I pay.”

The cashier hands him the receipt and me the bag. “You can use the first changing room on the left. I removed all the tags for you.”

It’s just not even worth the fight right this moment. I’m going to put on my clothes and feel like an almost normal person. “Thank you.” I snatch my bag from her hands before Vex gets any bright ideas and march off to the changing room.

Two little bits of satin and lace give me such a sense of normalcy. Though too much of my skin is still exposed under this coat, I don’t feel naked anymore.

Whatever happens, I can face this day!

Maybe not Vex… but the rest of the day. Is he as truly vexing as his name suggests, or is that just his way of trying to be sweet?

There’s no point in hiding from him anymore. I tighten the coat around me, pop my bag onto my shoulder, and stride out of the room.

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