Page 78 of The Promise

“That would look gorgeous on you,” Claire said, breaking Karine from her throughs when she came up to her from behind.

Not only had Karine seemed to wander a few feet away in her distraction, but she didn’t even realize she had clasped on to the buttery material of a dress hanging from the eave of a vendor’s tent. Feeling the soft fabric between her fingers, she peered up at the item that must have subconsciously caught her eye.

The bright red made her blush.

It certainly stood out.

Not at all like her.

Claire pulled it down to hold it by the hanger for them to see the dress better. The color wasn’t the only daring thing about it. With a deep, sweeping back that wouldn’t leave anything to the imagination once worn, the front plunged pretty deep, too. A dress that would only suit someone who was comfortable with their breasts free of a bra because nothing would hide the straps or hooks. The bottom flared like a skirt, but it was actually a jumpsuit, Karine discovered when she widened the bottoms.

“I’ve never worn anything like this before,” she whispered, unable to hide the shyness in her gaze. Everything about the jumper was designed to draw attention, and that had never been a priority for her.

In fact, she actively tried to do the opposite.

Her father wouldn’t have approved, and neither would Dima. Oddly, that only made her want it more.

“Well, then you have to get it. And if you need a better reason, red is Roman’s favorite color.”

Karine met the woman’s gaze. “Really?”

“From the time he was two, actually.”

“Well—”

“I’m going to take that as a yes.”

Claire had already handed the red jumper over to the vendor who quickly packed it up. The butterflies beating inside her stomach decided to make themselves known again at the idea of Roman’s eyes lighting up when he saw her in it. But the nervous sensation was quickly stamped out by the heat that followed, a thrill chasing the desire straight through her bloodstream in no time at all.

Would he like it?

How much?

She wanted to find out.

Claire paid the vendor, dangling the paper bag from the crook of her elbow when she turned to Karine again.

“Thank you,” Karine said. “You really shouldn’t have.”

“Well, we couldn’t come all the way here and buy nothing,” Claire said with a smile and a nod at the bag, “and this deserves a good home. It’ll look great on you, just you wait and see.”

“I’m not sure it’s the kind of thing I should just ... wear whenever.”

“Actually, it is. If it fits, you like it, and it’s comfortable, then why shouldn’t you wear it whenever you want? You don’t need an occasion to feel good about yourself, Karine. And sometimes that starts with liking the way you look.”

Huh.

She’d never thought of it that way.

Claire winked. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll have a reason to want to wear it soon.”

What did that mean?

“I know you don’t want me to thank you for bringing me here again, but—”

“You’re right, I don’t. It’s like we’re all suffering from cabin fever back there,” Claire added. “I needed this as much as you did.”

That was fair.