Page 61 of I Choose You

“And that tree with the roots and flowers that goes along the side of your thigh is my favorite.”

I wonder what Kaden thinks of them. I’d caught him looking. Knowing he traced the lines of the artwork I’d had applied to my body was exciting. Planning my tats and the process of getting them was part of my road to self-discovery. I’d recognized and found my self-worth with the expression of the ink I carefully chose. If he disapproved or if it bothered him?

Then so what? What mattered was that I liked my tattoos. They held significance to me.

“Go on. Try it on.”

A flutter of nervousness filled me. I was excited but apprehensive. The dress was already a beautiful masterpiece on the hanger. Would I do it a service or would I degrade it?

“I doubt the plaid lingerie will work with it,” I joked.

Rena rubbed my back as she walked to the fitting rooms with me. She’d noticed my attempt at a joke to ease my tension. “Then just don’t wear any at all.”

“For shame,” I teased, playing along.

I tried it on, careful to not damage or strain the dress. I had curves, but with my carefully curated routine of exercise and stretches, my body was lean in the right places, too.

While I was in the fitting room putting the dress on, Rena yammered away. I knew she was doing it to distract me, and I loved her for it. Before she could ramble on about why she needed another pair of shoes, I stepped out. The room’s mirror was angled weird. Out here in the main space around all the fitting rooms, I could check out my reflection times three.

“Oooooh, baby,” Rena said, lowering her voice to mimic a man’s. “Fuck, that’s hot.”

“You think?” I asked, loving the way the fabric slid over my skin like a caress.

“I know.” She gestured for me to twirl, and I did. “Oh, yeah.”

I tipped my chin at my jeans on the chair in my fitting room. “Take a couple of pictures, please. That way I can debate it later, too.”

“Debate?” She grabbed my phone. “There’s nothing to debate. That dress looks amazing on you. Allow me to bow to the queen of cleavage.” Pulling off a silly curtsy, she drew the attention of other shoppers. One woman giggled, passing by.

I struck a pose for her, following her instructions. I wanted to get a view from all angles to fully see how I looked in it.

“See,” she said, holding my screen up to see.

I gasped. “Rena!”

“Oopsie.” She winked.

Brooke: What do you think?

Rena had texted that to Kaden with a picture of me emphasizing my leg through the slit.

A line of fire emojis showed up as the first reply. After that, his opinion.

Kaden: You better buy that.

I checked the price tag and winced.

Brooke: You sure?

Brooke: It feels expensive.

Kaden: How does a piece of clothing feel pricy?

Brooke: It just does.

Kaden: Whatever the price, it’s worth it.

Kaden: It looks incredible