Page 56 of Capitally Engaged

“How about this?” I asked softly. “You pick out a dress for a dinner to celebrate this book, just us. If you decide in the future to claim your pen name, you can reuse it for a book signing.”

“You wouldn’t buy me a second dress? Cheapskate,” she said, her face lighter than moments before.

I laughed. “I’ll buy you as many dresses as you, and my political salary, will let me.”

“Hmm. Good point. Does Duncan like buying women dresses?”

“Okay, joke time’s over,” I said, starting to go through the racks myself. I knew she was just kidding, but the thought of anyone else, even my brother, buying this woman a dress raised my blood pressure. “Do I get to pick out things for you to try on this time?”

Jax shook her head. “Nope. I think I have the winner right here.” A flash of blue fabric appeared before she draped it over her arm. “But I think you’ll see you did influence it somewhat.” She took off in search of a dressing room.

“Wait, so you get to just try on one, but I had to try on ten?” I half-yelled, following in her wake.

“Deal with it, buddy!”

Jax had already closed the changing room door by the time I reached the opening to the dressing room. I checked to be sure no one else was in there, not wanting to be the man who lurked in a dressing room uninvited. The door opened and she stepped out, taking my breath away. The dress had a peacock blue solid fabric that came to Jax’s knees, with a low V-neck between her breasts, covered in lace that carried up over her shoulders.

“You like?” she asked, spinning so I could see the back, where the lace carried on, along her shoulders, leaving an open back.

I cleared my throat. “Wow. I love... love it. You look great.”

She smiled shyly at me before turning back to the mirror. “It is a good dress. I hope it finds many uses from my closet over the years.”

I stepped up behind her. “Think you need some help getting that off? That zipper looks hard to reach.” I skimmed my fingers down her bare back.

“Shoppers, please make your final purchase. Macy’s will be closing in ten minutes.” While the announcement distracted me,Jax took the opening to close the door in my face. I groaned as Jax laughed. “Taste of your own medicine.”

I knocked my head against the outer wall of the dressing room. “Hold that thought. We’ll be home soon,” she called, fabric rustling as she changed.

My heart still warmed every time she called the apartment home. Since she’d moved in, the word never felt more right.

Text Interlude

BRANDT BROTHERS GROUP CHAT

Spencer

Yo, Preston! You and Jax are on @HillStaffWatch. “Check out this link.”

Hayden

Whoa, dude. PDA much?

Hunter

Yeah, you’re definitely one to talk.

Hayden

Can I come watch one of your games? I promise not to pants you this time.

Duncan

I’m honestly surprised Preston still plays softball.

Preston

Jax says I should invite you, Hayden, though I definitely still have PTSD. And Hunter’s right. You’re one to talk about PDA.

---