Page 36 of Pierced Pages
“Gorgeous,” she said a little breathlessly. Then she quickly blinked and started again. “The dress. The dress is gorgeous.”
The only thing it was missing was a little jewelry. Maybe something small and simple, not to compete with the pattern. Morgan was pretty sure she might even have some beads to match.
When Danielle turned to her, a small, hesitant smile played on her lips while her cheeks revealed just a hint of pink. The sight of those lips and cheeks made Morgan grateful she was sitting because her legs felt weak and her head too light to remain tethered to her body.
“I think this is the one,” Danielle said.
Morgan gave a definitive nod. “Then let’s get it.”
While Danielle changed back into her clothes, Morgan went to the desk to pay for it. The salesperson had seen which dress Danielle selected, so she charged it to her card.
Danielle exited from behind the curtain with her cheeks much redder now.
“Never mind,” she said. “Do we have time to try one more?”
Morgan furrowed her brow as she tried to puzzle out what Danielle’s objection might be. She’d been so excited about that dress a minute ago.
“What happened? I thought you loved that one.”
Danielle leaned in close and whispered in Morgan’s ear. “It’s over five hundred dollars.”
Morgan shivered at the feel of Danielle’s breath against her ear. She fought to keep her mind on track and on the situation at hand.
Cost consciousness she could understand. But it wasn’t necessary in this case.
“I already paid for it. We’re good to go,” she said. “Well, after you give it to the salesperson over there, so they can put a bag over it.”
“I can’t let you do that. It’s too much!”
“I promise, it’s fine,” Morgan said, gently taking the dress from Danielle and handing it over the counter. “Even though I cut off my family and the cash that came with them, I have a trust fund from my grandmother. I never touch it except to use the money on other people. At least this way, some good can come to the world through their money, even if they won’t do anything good with it.”
And there was that look. There was always that look. The moment the trust fund was mentioned was the moment things changed.
Not that there was anything to change.
After all, nothing had changed with Jen. Knowing about the money hadn’t changed anything between them.
So why did thisfeeldifferent?
“Your mom’s family has money, then?”
“That’s what funded Mom’s campaign,” Morgan said. “Grandma was a good person. She was on the board of a couple of non-profits. Donated wherever she could. Her biggest sin was supporting my mother.”
Danielle looked utterly confused by all of that.
Or maybe it was shock.
The money did that. It’s why she hated telling people. Why she hated relationships. Well, one reason. Because the money was always there.
And the whole thing about money changing people was real. Once they found out about it, they always expected things to be different. For Morgan to be different. And she had no interest in changing who she was and what she wanted for anyone.
“Sorry, I’m just surprised, I guess.” Danielle took the dress the salesperson handed her, now protected by clear plastic. “I mean, you don’t act like someone with a lot of money. Not that I know what people with money act like.” She pressed her eyes together, then opened them again. “Can we forget I said anything?”
Morgan found herself laughing at Danielle’s reaction and the adorable look of panic on her face. As much as she hated talking about money, this was at least a different direction than she was used to these conversations taking.
“It’s fine. I promise.” Morgan aimed a hand at the door. “Now let’s get you back to Lila.”
Danielle seemed to relax at that, and the brightness returned to her expression. She gave a little nod, then they headed outside to Morgan’s car.
