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“Any complaints, direct them to Landon. I’m just your guide. But just so you know, you’re not leaving here without at least a dress and shoes.”
“I can’t believe it!”
We came to a stop in front of a store displaying fabulous evening gowns. They looked exorbitant. I felt myself melting as we admired them. It was a hot day even for August standards. Grace pushed open the door to the store. It even smelled expensive.
A perfectly coiffed blonde vendor greeted us.
“How may I help you?” she asked.
“We’re looking for an evening gown. It’s my sister’s birthday, and we’re having a party tonight.”
“Of course. Shall I give you a tour? You can tell me which dresses you want to try on, and I’ll bring the right size to the changing room.”
I tried on dress after dress after dress, excitement bubbling inside me. I couldn’t decide which one was my favorite. The black one with a plunging neckline? The dark blue one with little ribbons up my back? I thought Landon would particularly like that one. Undressing me would be like unwrapping a gift. I toyed with the idea of sending Landon snapshots, but I wanted to surprise him. Then I had an even better idea. I took a picture of myself in between changing dresses, when I wore nothing but underwear. He replied after I’d already slipped into a new dress.
Landon: Maddie...You don’t want to do this. Teasing me is a dangerous game.
I licked my lips, anticipation firing me up.
Maddie: You’ve teased me about my birthday. This is your punishment.
Landon: I’ll collect my reward tonight.
I clenched my thighs, letting out a long breath. Right. This was not the moment to get turned on, with the vendor and Grace waiting for me to come out of the changing room. Damn Landon. How could he affect me even from a distance?
“If something doesn’t fit you perfectly, we’re happy to modify it. We have a seamstress here, and she’ll have it ready for you in a few hours,” the vendor called from behind the curtain separating the changing room from the store.
“Okay.”
I still had one more to try. A white one that looked like something out of a fairy tale. The bodice was tight, with a delicate motif of pink magnolias. The skirt was light chiffon, flowing into an A-shape to the floor. Both Grace and the vendor sighed when I walked out wearing it.
“This is the one,” Grace exclaimed. But my stomach tightened as I looked at my reflection. I looked like a bride trying on her wedding gown. The dress was definitely beautiful enough to pass as a wedding dress. And the man was perfect enough to marry.
I shook my head, dispelling the fantasy. I wasn’t going to marry Landon. He was never going to ask. This wasn’t what this was. He’d said right from the beginning that he didn’t know how to do love. Why had my thoughts even wandered in that direction?
Because Landon was the only man who’d made me feel special. He’d done the legwork to find out what I liked, just to please me. Landon had made me feel special ever since he’d walked me home the night after we danced. Every kiss and touch made me feel special.
I loved him. I could admit that to myself, at least. There was no hiding from my own feelings when I fantasized about being Landon’s bride just because I was trying on a white dress.
“No, I have another favorite,” I said eventually. My voice didn’t sound quite right, but I hoped neither Grace nor the vendor could pick up on it. “I’m trying on the blue one again.”
I bolted back inside the changing room, pulling the curtain. I changed out of the dress without looking in the mirror. But my mind came up with more pesky thoughts.
Could I move to San Jose? I’d followed a man once, and it hadn’t worked well for me. Could I start over in another city? For Landon? Grace was all grown-up, so she didn’t need me here physically, and I could work as a landscaper anywhere. I had savings to cover Grace’s tuition fees even in case business was rocky in the beginning.
Even though I’d built my business here, I didn’t have many repeat clients. People didn’t remodel their gardens often. Recommendations brought in a big chunk of business, and most clients recommended me to their friends in LA, so I’d be starting over. I couldn’t believe I was even contemplating starting over. But Landon was worth the risk. The big question was, would Landon want me to move at all? I was afraid his answer would be “no.”
“I want this one,” I said when I came out wearing the blue one again. “But it needs tucking in at the waist.”
The vendor nodded. “I’m going to get our seamstress.”
“This is so expensive, though,” I muttered to Grace once the vendor was out of earshot.
My sister didn’t miss a beat. “Not for Landon. Let the man buy you what he wants. He was as excited as a kid when we planned this. He’s the only man I’ve ever heard sound happy about spending money on clothes.”
Oh, how well I could imagine that enthusiasm. Grace was right. It would make Landon happy. And wasn’t that what I wanted? Also, the dress was gorgeous.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.”
