Page 69 of Crimson Love

I shrug. “I usually just buy what looks like it will fit and make it work. I haven’t done much shopping. When I escaped, I took a wad of cash that got me across the country and bought a couple outfits from a thrift store. I’m saving as much as I can, so if I buy anything, it’s thrifted.”

Harlow pauses, but she doesn’t say anything about how sad that is or try to fix it. She gives me a small smile. “Whatever you’re doing works. You have an eye for great style. I say keep doing what works for you. Let’s see, The Greenhouse is dressy, but I’d say more cocktail, right? What color do you feel good in?”

“I’m not picky. I haven’t chosen my clothes since my first year of college. I’m just trying to get by.”

“Then this will be more fun than I thought. Let’s dig in.”

For the next hour, I try on so many dresses, my head spins. Harlow fawns over some and puts her foot down on others. In the middle of it all, she brings in snacks and more drinks. There are a pile of dresses on their bed and shoes litter the floor.

Harlow hangs up the select few she declared were nothing short of amazing.

“I’m sending all of these with you. You might change your mind while you’re getting ready. In fact, keep these. I can’t fit into most of them. Plus, after seeing them on you, there’s no way I’d wear them anyway. I just wish we were the same shoe size. There’s nowhere to shop in Winslet for shoes. Your black heels will work perfectly.”

“I hope so, they’re the only pair I own outside of a few flipflops and a pair of sneakers. It looks like I need to get something to wear in the snow.”

Harlow glances out the bedroom window. “It’s really coming down. My first snow back in Winslet. It’s beautiful.”

The mountains and manor grounds are transforming into a white wonderland. I can’t take my eyes off it. “I’ve never seen snow in person.”

“It’s so different here than what we’d get in New York. There’s something magical about it in the mountains.” Harlow comes to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders to give me a squeeze. “I’m so happy you’re here. Once this is all sorted, you can relax and know that you’re truly safe. I’d say that Devon will take care of it, but it looks like Jett is handling that all on his own.”

“That’s been a new development. I hate that he’s doing so much for me.”

She drops her arm and turns to me. “I’m still getting to know my brother, but I don’t think he’d do anything he didn’t want to. And from what I can tell, he wants this. I think you came into his life at just the right time. He’s healthy, and now he has you.”

I think about last night. Jett stripping me naked, putting his mouth between my legs, and sleeping naked against him all night. I slept so well, I barely had time to get ready before the big meeting with the makeshift task force.

Harlow’s phone sounds with a text. She looks down at it and smiles. “Jett must be missing you. He didn’t even ask if we were done. He’s on his way up.”

I look at the stack of dresses and gowns that she insisted I take with me. “You really don’t need to send all these. One is enough. I’ll have it cleaned and returned in a few days.”

“Are you not listening? These are yours to keep. Devon will be happy that I’m making room in the closet. Wait, you need jewelry. Let me send you with some choices.”

I’m about to tell her she doesn’t need to do that, but she disappears into the closet.

There’s a knock at the door, and Harlow calls, “That’s Jett. Can you answer it? I’ll be right out.”

I take the pile of dresses she insisted are now mine and go to the door. When I open it, Jett is standing there, shoulder to the jamb with his arms crossed.

A smile spreads across his face when he sees me. “Did you find what you need?”

I lift the evidence in my arms. “Your sister is generous and too sweet for her own good. I’ll never wear all of these.”

“Don’t leave yet!” Harlow yells from the other room. “I’ve got more for you!”

I smile at Jett. “See?”

“No one knows better than I do how generous she is.” He pushes off the door jamb, and I let the door shut behind him.

“What did you do after I left?”

He takes the dresses from me and drapes them over his arm. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“Devon lent me a handgun small enough to wear under a jacket. Then we went over worst-case scenarios.”

My eyes fall shut. “Okay, maybe I don’t want to know.”