Page 38 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

“I’ve got one more stop.” She tilted her head toward Seraphina’s, the huge sign on a storefront in simple but elegant cursive. “A shoe store.”

“Well, that’s convenient,” he said, holding on to her waist as they walked to the door. He held it open for her, and she limped inside. Seraphina Bianco stood behind the counter, trinkets and small pieces of jewelry set out in cases.

“Hello, welcome to Seraphina’s. How can I help you today?”

Laney, with Ethan at her elbow, hobbled over to introduce herself. “Hi, Seraphina. My name is Delaney Hargrove, and this is Ethan Marrero. We both graduated from Holy Redeemer, three years after you.”

Seraphina shook her head, smiling. “Fellow survivors, huh?”

“Yeah. I wanted to stop by today to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about a fundraising event we’re having at the beginning of May.” Laney passed Seraphina a folder filled with a few papers. “We’re raising money for research and awareness of Huntington’s disease.” She glanced at Ethan then, who nodded and took over.

“My brother was recently diagnosed with it. Before then, I didn’t really know anything about it, but I’ve been learning as much as I can, and I felt like I needed to do something to help families like mine, who may be struggling with the diagnosis.”

Seraphina flipped through the papers. “I’d love to help you any way I can.” She gave them each a wide, fake grin, raising her fist in a limp cheer. “Crusader pride.”

“Wonderful,” Laney said. “You can find information about the nonprofit in the packet as well as the event in May. We have sponsorship opportunities, but we are in need of silent auction donations, as well.”

“Fantastic. I’ll look through everything in the next day or two.”

“Perfect.” Laney pointed to her business card paper-clipped on the front of the folder. “My contact information is here, and you can also find all of the printed information on the website listed. Thank you so much for your time.”

“My pleasure.” Seraphina walked around the counter as if to walk them back out, but Laney put her hand on Ethan again to pick up her left foot.

“I have one more thing. I need new shoes.”

Seraphina tossed her head back, amused, and even though Laney hadn’t known Seraphina at all while they were in school, she thought they could’ve been friends with her laid-back laugh. “You’ve come to the right place! Come on, have a seat. I’ll get you fixed up.”

Laney followed her farther into the store, where a small sitting area contained two comfy love seats with a table between them. A few clothing racks were draped in upscale athleisure wear along the wall, and Ethan surveyed the items as he helped himself to a seat.

“Why don’t you take your shoes off?” Seraphina said to Laney. “And I’ll take them to the back. In the meantime, you can look around, see what you like.”

Laney removed her shoes and passed them off before perusing the shelves.

“Found ’em,” Ethan said from behind her, and she turned.

“What?”

He pointed to a pair of black heels, not at all suited for cold weather. “What size are you?”

“I’m not getting those.”

“Why not?” He stood up to grab them, showing them off as if they were a prized fortune.

They were shiny patent leather with a heel that had to be six inches, at least. The back was full, but the front was nonexistent except for straps that crisscrossed from the toes up the shin, creating a half boot, half stiletto. “I think they’re best used for stripping.”

“First of all,” Ethan said, putting the shoe back down, “that’s a stereotype, and second of all, everybody’s got to make a living.”

“I need a new pair of boots. Save those shoes for your next girlfriend.” She shoved at his side so he’d sit back down, but he only hooked an arm around her waist.

“Well, then, you’re in luck. These shoes are yours.”

She edged away from him, unwinding her scarf from her neck before taking off her jacket, too hot under the fluorescent lights. Not to mention Ethan’s penetrative eyes. “I am not going to be your girlfriend, Ethan.”

“Think what you like, but those shoes are going to be your Christmas present. And if you happen to only wear them in the bedroom, so be it.” He shrugged and stepped over to another shelf of shoes.

“I’m looking for another pair of short boots, brown or taupe.”

“What’s the difference?” he asked, showing her a pair of brown boots that were nothing like her old booties.

---