Page 67 of This Heart Of Mine (Chicago Stars 5)

“I’m not saying. Now, go away and don’t bother me.”

“If you tell me, I’ll take you over to that boutique, and you can put whatever you want on my credit card.”

“You’re on.” She threw down the silver glitter sandals and made for the door.

He moved ahead of her to open it. “Don’t you want me to twist your arm a little so you can hold on to your pride?”

“Did you see how ugly those sandals were? Besides, I know how much you earned last season.”

“I’m glad we signed that prenuptial agreement. Here I thought we were protecting your fortune, but son of a gun, in one of those ironic twists life sometimes throws at you, it turns out we were really protecting mine.” His grin grew bigger. “Who’d have figured?”

He was enjoying himself way too much, so she picked up her stride. “I’ll bet I can max out your credit card in half an hour.”

“Was it more than three million?”

“I’ll tell you after I’ve finished shopping.” She smiled at an elderly couple.

“If you lie, I’m taking everything back.”

“Isn’t there a mirror someplace where you can go admire yourself?”

“I never knew a woman so hung up on my good looks.”

“All your women are hung up on your good looks. They just pretend it’s your personality.”

“I swear, somebody needs to spank you.”

“You are, like, so not the man to do it.”

“You are, like, such a damned brat.”

She smiled and headed into the boutique. Fifteen minutes later she emerged with two pairs of sandals. Only as she put her sunglasses back on did she notice that Kevin also carried a shopping bag. “What did you buy?”

“You need a bathing suit.”

“You bought me one?”

“I guessed at the size.”

“What kind of bathing suit?”

“Jeez, if somebody bought me a present, I’d be happy about it instead of acting so suspicious.”

“If it’s a thong, it goes back.”

“Now, would I insult you that way?” They began wandering down the street.

“A thong is probably the only kind of suit you know exists. I’m sure that’s what all your girlfriends wear.”

“You think you can distract me, but it’s not going to work.” They passed a sweet shop called Say Fudge. Next to it was a tiny public garden, little more than a few hydrangea bushes and a pair of benches. “It’s reckoning time, Daphne.” He indicated one of the benches, then settled beside her. His arm brushed her shoulder as he propped it along the back. “Tell me all about the money. Didn’t you have to wait till you were twenty-one to get your hands on it?”

“Yes, but I was still in school, and Phoebe wouldn’t let me touch a penny. She said if I wanted into the accounts before I graduated, I’d have to sue her.”

“Smart lady.”

“She and Dan kept me on a pretty tight leash, so once I graduated and she finally handed it over, I did everything you’d expect. I bought a car, moved into a luxury apartment, bought loads of clothes—I do miss those clothes. But after a while the life of a trust-fund baby lost its luster.”

“Why didn’t you just get a job?”

---