Page 48 of Away With You
“Fine,” I give in, handing over my black AMEX. It’s not like I can’t afford to do this, or that Katie doesn’t deserve it. It’s just a matter of making sure this is an enjoyable experience for her. To set the tone for the rest of the week.
“Great. We’ll see you there at 1 p.m.,” Rosie says after giving my credit card details to the stranger on the other end of the phone. When all this is done, I need to talk to her about credit card security.
“We’llsee you there?” I ask as she hands me back my card, with a big helping of reluctance. It’s not that she isn’t richy rich in her own right, I just think she gets a thrill from spending other people’s money.
She clears the table and smiles up at me. “Of course, I’ll be there. You think Katie will be comfortable shopping with only you?”
The girl has a point.“Fine. You can come. Now, I need to make sure Katie does, too.”
Rosie dumps her cup into the kitchen sink and beams at me over her shoulder. “Big bro, you leave that part to me.”
?·?·?
The temperature outside is below freezing, but inside this boutique store, it’s a balmy twenty-two degrees Celsius. The entire place has an opulent yet calming vibe, with its muted tones and its warm, glowing light. It even smells amazing. Rosie has picked the perfect place. Now we just need Katie to show up.
“She said she was coming, right?” I ask, pacing to the window to peer out into the busy street. Still no sign of her.
“For the hundredth time, yes. She agreed. She even said it sounds fun. Relax; she’ll be here soon. It’s difficult to get around London at this time of year.”
I glance outside again. “I should have sent a car for her.”
Rosie pulls a face.
“No? Too much?”
She nods. “Too much likePretty Woman, for sure.”
Pretty Woman. I make a mental note to add it to my ‘to-watch’ movie list.
“Here she is,” she says now, tilting her head to the door.
My heart takes off, and I wipe my sweaty palms on the front of my jeans. The store, which had been a lovely temperature mere moments ago, is suddenly too warm. Or is that just the effect this woman has on me? Like everything is perfect and off-kilter at the same time?
“Katie!” Rosie rushes to the door, yanking her inside and into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Katie pats her back somewhat shyly, before pulling away, giving me my first proper look at her.Is it possible that, in the last five days since I’ve seen her, she’s grown even more beautiful?She’s shucking off her winter coat, revealing a simple outfit of jeans and a burnt orange knitted jumper, the perfect contrast to her Mediterranean colouring. Her hair is wavy and shiny, tumbling down her back, and her cheeks are pink and dewy from the frosty air outside.
She looks perfect.
“Hey, Kitty Kat,” I croak, gathering my tattered wits about me. She’s literally robbed me of my breath and has zero clue of her effect on me. “Thanks for coming.”
She smiles, a small uptick of her lips I feel in my gut. “I should thank you. This is a dream come true for every woman who’s ever watchedPretty Woman.”
I flash my sister a smirk, and she sticks her tongue out at me. Clearly, some parts of that movie are aspirational. I’ll have to watch it to find out.
“We’re going to have so much fun,” Rosie gushes, holding Katie’s hand and pulling her further into the shop. “Here, meet Claudia. She’s going to help us both get everything we need.”
“Um, little sis?” I call out, trailing behind them. “Just to clarify. Who’s getting the shopping spree today?”
Her expression is deviousness dressed up as innocence. “Both me and Katie? Remember? It’s my Christmas present from you, and we thought it’d be nice for Katie to come along.”
Ah, the little minx has outplayed me.“Right, yes. Of course,” I mumble, shooting a ‘we’ll talk about this later’ glare at her.
Katie shifts on her feet, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. “Um, I don’t have to be here. If this isn’t something you agreed to.”
My eyes fly to her big, worried, hazels ones. “No, of course not. This is for you.”
She startles, and I smother a groan. “For both of you,” I amend. “A Christmas present and thank you present. Please, go. Have fun.”
