Page 55 of I Choose You

“Oh, shut up. I love it. It’s a classic. Why change what works?”

“Apply that fancy-candle-burning theory to it.”

She tapped her chin. “Don’t wait to buy new vacay clothes?”

“Sure. Besides, I’ll need to get some things too. Kaden said the first event is the engagement party. It’s just around the corner, and I’ll need quite a bit of time to decide what to wear.”

“Whatever you get, you’ll be gorgeous.”

I wasn’t sure about that. Like my mom, Rena had a default love for me. Like the sister I never had, she lacked an objective view. I appreciated her enthusiasm anyway.

It was agreed. We’d hit the stores.

I didn’t know what to get when we arrived. Rena bee-lined for the swimwear and summery dresses. I meandered, restless and uneasy.

Brooke: How formal is this engagement party again?

I didn’t want to claim his whole weekend, but I didn’t feel shy about asking either.

A text came instantly.

Kaden: Fancy but not black tie.

“That’s still a whole range of options.” Leave it to a man to not know how to narrow it down.

Kaden: Just no plaid. That’s my only request.

I scoffed, smiling at the screen. “Oh, you have requests now.” Pursing my lips, I scanned the store. I didn’t want to dive too deep into figuring out why it was so fun to text him. Or talk to him. Or anything. My life hadn’t been overly dull and empty. I didn’t need him to complete me, but dammit, I liked having him in my life, even as a source of silly messages.

It broke up the day. That was all.

I grinned when I found the perfect item. After I took a picture, I sent it with a caption.

Brooke: So that’s a no on this?

Who the hell would buy this? Bras came in every shape, size, and design. But plaid? It wasn’t just the style, it was the fabric too. Coarse wool. I rubbed the checkered garment between my finger and thumb, cringing.

My nipples would be so damn sore.

Kaden: I don’t know.

Kaden: Might need you to model it for me to decide

I gaped at my phone. That wasn’t something a “decent” guy would say. He was flirting. And it was working. Because as I considered doing just that, my cheeks heated and I felt a thrill of desire.

Brooke: Model? For you?

He replied with a GIF of a stylist circling their finger in a demand for someone to twirl.

“Get out of here,” I mumbled. I grinned and texted back.

Brooke: One problem. You’re not here to watch the show.

Kaden: Send me a picture then.

Brooke: Aren’t you busy? Don’t you have a life?

Kaden: You’re the one contemplating buying scraps of a kilt for lingerie. Like you’re one to talk.