Page 104 of Elusive Surrender

“Well, are you going to just stand there or open that dress? I’ve been dying to sneak a peek.”

I turn, smiling at my friend. “You didn’t?”

She gasps in mock shock. “How could you even think that I would do such a thing?”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure that you would and did.”

“Open it. Right now,” she orders.

I laugh. “Patience, my friend.” I unzip the length of the bag, pull out the dress, and place it on top of the bag admiring its beauty and simplicity. “It’s absolutely perfect. How in the world did he pick something so perfect?” I touch the luxurious olive-green fabric, admiring the simple design of the scoop neck, short sleeves, and ruffled asymmetrical hem. I run my hand down the length, admiring the slight flare and the just above the knee length. Simple, classy, and a dress I would wear just about anywhere.

“The shoes, check the shoes.”

I laugh, opening the square box to display the perfect pair of shortie boots to wear with this dress and a gazillion other things in my closet. “Nick’s a pretty good shopper. He has my style down to a tee.”

Lexie’s beaming like a proud momma. “He sure does. Open the underwear.”

“Lexie!”

“What? I didn’t even peek at that once. Now open the box.”

The contents are folded in soft white tissue. I place the satiny undergarments on the bed for the two of us to admire. Neither of us say a word, and I chance a quick peek at my friend who’s grinning from ear to ear.

“Great taste in a lot of things, it would appear,” I murmur, taking in the shiny green G-string with a lace border and matching bra.

“Uh-huh. He’s a keeper, for all the right reasons.”

I inhale deeply because he is perfect. A man that any woman would be out of their mind not to want to hold onto. We still have so much to discuss, but tonight, we celebrate our accomplishments. “Are you going to stand there gawking at my underwear all night long, or are you going to get out of here so I can get showered and changed?”

“Go get ready! And I’ll do the same. Oh and, Allie?”

“Yeah, Lexie?”

“If you hurt that man, so help me God I’ll never speak to you again,” she states matter of factly, closing the door before I have a chance to reply.

If I hurt Nick? I’m the one who’s likely to end up with my heart shattered into a million pieces when everything’s said and done. But Nick has been nothing but open and honest with me. He’s a great man who cares about me, and that should be enough.

The water has started to get tepid by the time my hair is washed, skin has been scrubbed clean, and every possible thought about what a life with or without Nick would look like has managed to play out in my mind a multitude of times. When I’m ready for the evening, I turn, looking in the full-length mirror and smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

I grab my purse and walk down the hall but stop short as Nick comes from one of the other rooms dressed in a dark t-shirt and blue jeans. Holy hot. His blue eyes scan me from head to toe, admiring his purchases. “You look fantastic, Allie.”

I swallow past the nerves. “Thank you, for the compliment and the clothes. They’re beautiful.” I smooth a hand down the fabric of the dress.

“You’re beautiful.”

My cheeks heat with his compliment. “You picked Donovan’s for tonight?”

He grins. “I have it on good authority that it’s the place to be after a day like ours.”

“It’s a great place to celebrate or to drown your sorrows. I’ve done more than my fair share of each. And, they’ll love having the business. Lexie said she and Sheldon are going too.”

He laughs. “The entire team, at least those still in town tonight, are invited. Tomorrow will bring new assignments.”

My chest tightens. Because I’m no longer in immediate danger, maybe I’m no longer an assignment. I swallow through the lump growing in my throat, trying my hardest not to think of his inevitable reassignment.

My hands twist in front of me. “So, is this an official date?”

His eyes lose their look of amusement. “More like a celebration, Allie.”

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