AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll get back to you.”
He’d expected a similar answer. She planned on putting it off, hoping he’d forget about their agreement. “If you want to tell me your size, I’ll go without you. I don’t mind.”
“The size depends on the style and the brand. You better wait until I can come with you so I can try things on. We’ll go soon.”
Derek dropped everything they’d carried back up in a heap on the deck and grabbed her around the waist. “I’m not going to forget, Brooklyn. You might as well tell me when a good time to go shopping is. Otherwise, I’ll go, pick something I like, and get every size they have in stock so you can try them on.”
“And you’d do it too,” she said, sounding resigned.
He checked his watch, another thought coming to him. “Or we can hold off on lunch and hit Long Wharf Mall and the Brick Market Place today. I can find you something in one of the stores there.” The more he considered it, the more he liked the idea. “Yeah, let’s do that. When we come back, I’ll put the steaks on the grill, and if we have time afterward, we’ll take the Affinity out.”
“Fine. If it means getting the shopping trip over with.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “Don’t be so excited.” He pressed his lips against hers again. “It’ll be fun. I promise.”
***
Located between Thames Street and America’s Cup Avenue, the Brick Market Place consisted of three parallel rows, each containing various stores and restaurants making it a tourist hot spot. This afternoon was no exception, as shoppers of all ages strolled in and out of the buildings. Even the benches were crowded as tourists stopped to rest their feet and soak up some of the sun. He’d never cared for shopping regardless of the location, and he made a point of avoiding the busy shopping districts downtown during the summer.
However, today’s shopping adventure he couldn’t wait to start.
Derek stood in the courtyard and studied the storefronts along Goddard Row. The first two stores in the row sold jewelry and a third sunglasses, but next in the line, a store called Narragansett Bay, looked promising.
“Come on. We’ll start in there.” He took a step forward. When Brooklyn stayed still, he reached for her hand.
“Are you sure we can’t renegotiate this?”
“A bet isn’t a legal contract. You can’t renegotiate once it’s done.”
“But, Derek—”
Rather than hear any of her arguments, he kissed her. On some level, it registered as a bad idea. They stood in the center of the crowded courtyard where anyone might see them. Despite recognizing it, he lost himself in the feel of her body pressed against his, her arms wrapped around his neck, and the way her hair fell over the tops of his hands.
After a while, the sound of various conversations and the movement of people around them pulled him back to the present. “You trust me, right?”
She nodded.
“Good, because I know what I’m doing.”
Although the store sold everything necessary for a day at the beach, Derek found its selection of swimwear inadequate and soon after entering they strolled back out empty-handed. He didn’t let their lack of success discourage him. There were plenty of other stores for them to check out.
“If you see a store you want to visit, say the word. We can shop for more than swimsuits while we’re here.” Derek considered their next stop. Many of the stores catered to tourists. While there was nothing wrong with that, tourism was a big part of Newport’s economy, it did mean many of the gifts and apparel they carried were intended as souvenirs.
“Did you forget who you’re with?” she asked.
Brooklyn, unlike most of the females in his family, never cared much for shopping. Still, something might catch her eye today. “Im
possible, and I remember how much you hate shopping, but there are a lot of shops around here. Something might look interesting. We already passed a few jewelry stores, and I see a fine arts store at the end.”
“No shopping for me today. I just want to get what we came for and go back to your place.”
“I like the way your mind works,” he whispered before tugging on her earlobe with his lips. “Let’s try Island Wear next.”
According the sign above the glass door, the upscale-looking boutique sold only women’s swimwear. A bell dinged when they entered and immediately the mannequin in the center of the store caught his eye. Or perhaps the bikini on it did. The crimson top tied behind the mannequin’s neck and consisted of two triangle pieces held together at the bottom by a large black ring. The black bottoms had a V-cut front and red rings held together the sides. Brooklyn would look spectacular it in.
“Can I help you find something specific?” an employee said, approaching them.
“We’re just looking,” Brooklyn said.
