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"You never have to worry about being like her, Wilkes. You're one of the strongest women I've ever met, and one of the most independent. This is a setback. Nothing more, nothing less. This moment in time isn't going to determine your life, or its outcome. It's just a drop in a very large bucket. And the money I'll spend today is exactly like that—a drop in a very large bucket. So, can you please stop agonizing over it? Haven't you ever watchedPretty Woman? Let me spoil you today."
Holly gave him a little smirk. "Well, I'd hate to spoil your elaborate 90s romcomfantasy."
Eli glanced over at the department store. "Then don't. Can we at least go to a mall?"
"Are you sure you won’t get mobbed?”
He started the SUV and pulled out of the parking lot. "I've got a hat, and the beard helps. Now get ready because we're going to burn up my fucking credit card. Got it?"
"Fine. Drive on, Jeeves."
* * *
"I think we should start with the electronics store," he told her, pointing to the bright yellow and blue sign. "You're definitely going to need some things in there. A computer, smart watch, headphones, maybe a video game system..."
Holly shot him an amused look as they walked toward the entrance of the store. "Eli, I don't need a video game system. I've never played a video game in my life, and I'm not going to start now."
"Why not? It's never too late to have fun. Remember fun?" He playfully elbowed her in the ribs. "Just repeat to yourself: fun is good."
Holly tipped her head back and rolled her eyes. "Right. Fun is good. But video games are not fun for me. Let's start with a computer, okay?"
"Sounds good." Eli led her toward the back of the store where there were rows upon rows of laptops.
"Holy crap," she said, peering around. "This is overwhelming."
"What kind of computer did you have before?"
"Just something basic. I used it for writing, surfing, email, and watching movies." She shrugged. "It wasn’t anything fancy.”
Eli grinned and slung his arm around her shoulders. "Basic, eh? Stick with me kid. I'll hook you up."
"This is not professional," she reminded him, slinking out of his embrace. "And we're all about being professional now, remember?"
He sighed. "Yeah, yeah."
By the time he was done talking to an eager young salesperson, he'd picked out a top-of-the-line laptop, an iPad, a fancy mouse, ergonomic wrist and mouse pads, a laptop cooling pad, a Bluetooth speaker, a pair of wireless headphones, and warranties for everything.
"You didn't get a smart watch," he commented, studying the pile of boxes. "We should get you one."
"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather get a regular watch. I don't need anything fancy."
He flashed her a grin. "If that's what you really want."
After the woman helping them rang up the items on the cash register, the final total ended up close to $6000. Holly's eyes bugged out of her head when she saw the tally, and he held up a hand. "We haven't even reached that drop in the bucket yet, Wilkes. Don't stress, okay?"
She pursed her lips and gave a small nod. "Okay. Not stressing. Or at least trying not to stress."
Eli handed over his credit card to the salesperson. "Where to next?”
"I guess we can head into the mall now. I need to get some clothes."
"Sounds good."
For the next two hours, they hit almost every clothing store in the mall. Holly obviously didn't like shopping for electronics, but when it came to clothes, she was in her element.
Though she hadn't asked his opinion on any outfits she'd selected, he'd enjoyed the view more than a few times when she'd exited the dressing room to glance at herself in the larger mirrors. She'd paraded past him in tight jeans, short skirts, and fitted tops. He'd had to fight off a hard-on the entire time. Fuck, she was hot.
Her taste in clothes was unusual, especially when she paired things that didn't seem to go together. But somehow on her, it worked. She had style, even if it was on the wild side.
