Page 44 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
Fallon took the dress to the fitting room behind her while stewing about the coincidence that she and Kade picked the same hour to shop at a store two hours away from their respective homes. A weird mix of emotions coursed through her—embarrassment at the possibility of him catching her shopping for their night out and not caring what he thought.
What was wrong with her?
Slipping on the dress, Fallon knew it would fit like a dream even before she’d zipped the back. She turned in the mirror, checking her reflection from all angles, and all the while, her mind was on Kade and his gesture of sending flowers—another reason she didn’t want to face him now.
Looking forward to Friday night, he’d written.
Why did it have to get complicated? Couldn’t they go to the dinner together, mingle a little, maybe share a dance, and call it good? Did he think of her invitation as the start to something more? She hoped not, for both their sakes. She didn’t want to hurt him. But it was wrong, all wrong. The invitation had popped out of her mouth in a moment of weakness, brought on by the pretty little drink he’d sent her way. June would strain something laughing if she knew Fallon could be swayed so easily with a well-timed hot chocolate.
But it was a sweet gesture. It stirred something inside her. If she were looking for someone, she wouldn’t look further than someone like Kade.
Fallon closed her eyes while she unzipped the dress again and stepped out of it. She replaced it on the hanger, admiring the embroidery work and the contrast between the satin neckline and velvet material while she dressed again. It was a beautiful gown.
What will Kade think?
Her shoulders dropped as she caught her reflection. There he was, sneaking into her subconscious again. Yet the idea of getting to know him better intrigued her. How could it not? He was single, handsome, and his family, well, they wereperfect. The family she should have had.
Fallon took the dress from the hook and left the fitting room. Back on the sales floor, Sibyl hovered, waiting for Fallon’s reaction. Kade was nowhere in sight. Relieved, Fallon let herself relax.
“How did that work for you?” asked Sibyl.
“It’s perfect.” She let Sibyl take the dress, who promptly draped it over her arm and motioned for Fallon to follow.
“I’m going to check you out in the men’s department,” said Sibyl. “The register over here is closed.”
“In…in the men’s department?” She stood on her toes to scan the area again. Kade had definitely disappeared. Hopefully he’d left the store.
While Sibyl covered the dress with a plastic bag and scanned the price tag, Fallon checked her phone messages. Nothing of importance popped up. A reminder of a hair appointment at this time tomorrow. A revised agenda from June for the staff meeting later on. She tucked her phone back into her bag and looked up to see if Sibyl had finished yet.
Kade stood frozen in the doorway of the men’s fitting room, staring at her.
Heat crept up her neck to light her cheeks on fire.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Kade said.
ChapterSixteen
The redness coloring Fallon’s cheeks meant she was just as shocked to see him as he was to see her.
“I came to town to find, uh, some gifts,” she said.
The salesclerk handed Fallon the plastic bag, which had hung on the rack near the register. Fallon thanked her and waited for him to come around the counter. He eyed the bag.
“What brings you to Duluth?” Fallon asked. Her gaze dropped to the dark pair of pants and dress shirts he held. He was having a heck of a time finding something for Friday night. It didn’t help that he hated shopping.
“Pops had a doctor’s appointment in town. I dropped my mother and him off at the hospital before coming here.” He lifted the clothes, smiling. “Trying to find something to wear for Friday.”
“Everything’s okay?” Her coloring had returned to normal, but her eyes were more green than usual under the store’s lights.
“I think so. At least that’s what the ER doc said on Saturday.”
“ER?What happened?” Fallon looked genuinely concerned. It touched him.
“His heart was racing again. But all tests turned out fine. It’s a follow-up today.”
“That’s good to hear.” She eyed the clothes over his arm again with a slight frown.
“Are you in a hurry? I was just about to walk out into the mall and grab a drink.”
