Page 13 of Peak of Love
Dane’s wry smirk was the response. “Thanks for noticing that I’m wearing somethingfor a date. You, on the other hand… ”
“What’s wrong with my Seattle Kraken hoodie?” she protested, insulted on behalf of her favorite hockey team.
“Other than that they’re the conference rivals of Vancouver Canucks, you’re not going to a playdate at Chuck E. Cheese.”
“We made you go to Chuck E. Cheeseone timeand you never fail to throw it in my face.” She pretended to sound miffed.
“That whole expedition was uncalled for,” he jived back. “Wear something a little less casual. You want to look like you’re making an effort.”
“I didn’t bring anything else. I packed for relaxing downtime, remember?”
“You’re telling me you would have worn something else if you knew we were going out to eat?”
“Yeah. Like maybe the jersey,” she quipped. “Just kidding! I work from home and it honestly never occurs to me to wear something dressier.”
“That’s it. We’re shopping,” Dane announced.
“Before we eat? C’mon, Dane, I skipped breakfast so I’d be hungry for brunch.”
“Grab a granola bar. We’re shopping.” And then he walked his GQ ass out the door, leaving her no choice except to stick her tongue out and grab a granola bar.
He insisted on driving because the conditions were much worse than when she drove in yesterday. The snowbanks were higher and ice glazed the road. They pulled into an underground parking lot twenty minutes later.
“The only thing we’re going to find here is a Whistler hoodie,” she retorted, based on what she knew of tourist gift shops.
“You’d be surprised. Whistler’s a world-class destination,” he countered as they exited the car. “They have things like dresses, Celina.”
“Do they now?” she droned sarcastically. “If I knew you were going to be this unbearably insulting… ”
“OK, I’m sorry. Look, I don’t want to insult you. It’s just that you seemed intent on a practice date. You want my help and I don’t do things half-ass. If you’re serious about dating, you’ll need to go shopping eventually.”
She pursed her lips and mumbled, “you’re right.”
“I don’t think I heard you correctly. Could you say it a little louder?” His grin was infuriatingly cute.
“I said you’re right,” she admitted more clearly.
“One more time. This garage is muffling—”
She lightly smacked him on the back of the head and walked faster. “Move before I change my mind.”
They ended up in a boutique that didn’t include a bargain section at the back wall.
“This is a bit posh for me,” she whispered.
He secured her hand in the crook of his elbow to stop her from jetting out the door. “I have an account here with a discount built in. Pick a few things and don’t worry about it.”
“You are not buying me clothes, Dane,” she said while shoving her fist into his side.
“Ouch! OK, I won’t. Pay me back if you want to. But there’s no discount unless we put it on my account.”
“Hello, Mr. Verghese,” a woman in a fitted green dress addressed him.
“Hi, Roni. I’m not here to shop for myself. My friend could use a hand, though.”
Roni seemed to have noticed Celina for the first time, clearly fighting the urge to look at her outfit with disdain.
“Hi!” Celina greeted, determined to get this done as quickly as possible yet unable to drop the opportunity to embarrass her friend. “I don’t know who this man is, but he said there would be donuts?”
