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“Hi, Harper! It’s so nice to meet you!” Petra exclaims, her voice light and bubbly. I can’t help but smile back at her contagious enthusiasm.
“Nice to meet you too, Petra,” I reply softly, feeling a bit shy in the presence of this energetic stranger.
“Petra was kind enough to close down the boutique for the day just for you,” Benedict explains, his voice low and seductive, sending shivers down my spine. “You have free rein to shop to your heart’s content.”
As I stand amidst the racks of designer clothing, I begin to feel a gnawing unease. The beautiful garments seem almost too perfect, too untouchable. I glance hesitantly at Benedict, my fingers lingering on the soft fabric of an exquisite dress.
“Benedict, I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but I can’t accept this,” I say softly, my voice barely audible over the hushed atmosphere of the boutique. “I don’t want to be a burden or take advantage of your generosity.”
“Harper,” he replies, his tone firm and resolute, “you’re not a burden. And I’m not being generous—I want to spoil you. You deserve it.”
My eyes lock with his, searching for any hint of insincerity, but all I see is unwavering determination. He truly believes what he’s saying, and it’s both unnerving and thrilling. My heart races as I try to make sense of the conflicting emotions coursing through me.
“Besides,” he continues, gesturing around the boutique, “Petra has already closed her shop for the day, just for you. Not buying anything would mean all this effort was for nothing, and she’d be losing money. I don’t think you want that, do you?”
My gaze flickers between Benedict and Petra, who’s staring at me, her enthusiasm undimmed despite my reluctance. I can’t deny the truth in his words. I don’t want to disappoint either of them, especially after they’ve gone to such lengths to make this day special for me.
“Alright,” I concede, my cheeks flushing with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. “Thank you, Benedict.”
“Thank me by enjoying yourself,” he replies, his eyes darkening with desire and a promise of more. “Now, let’s find you something stunning.”
I nod, my pulse quickening as I allow myself to be swept up in the whirlwind of decadence and temptation. My fingers brush against the luxurious fabrics as we move through the boutique, my mind racing with the possibilities of what awaits me.
“Take a deep breath, Harper,” I murmur to myself, struggling to keep my nerves under control. I can feel Benedict’s gaze on me, and it sends shivers down my spine. I feel like some kind of princess in a movie, and it’s just as thrilling as it is…well, unnerving.
* * *
“Ugh, no,”I mutter, shimmying out of yet another dress that doesn’t quite fit right. I add it to the growing “don’t like” pile in the corner of the changing room, my frustration mounting as I struggle to find something that makes me feel…like me, and not like I’m dressing up to be someone else.
I slip back into my own clothes—well, the clothes I borrowed from Hudson—the familiar fabric providing a small measure of comfort in the midst of my tumultuous thoughts. I gather up the rejected dresses, their luxurious textures a reminder of the world that Benedict is trying to introduce me to—a world that both excites and terrifies me.
I have a few things that I like, and if I can just pick out a few more things, then I can call it. I don’t want to spend a lot of Benedict’s money even if he’s offering, because that’s just not the kind of person I am.
The anticipation and anxiety swirl within me as I step out and find Petra and Benedict leaning in close, their smiles warm and inviting as they engage in hushed conversation. Their closeness ignites a spark of envy inside me. Is there…something going on between them?
Petra’s hand lingers on his arm. My jealousy flares up as Petra leans in further, pressing her lips against Benedict’s cheek in a chaste kiss. The pang of insecurity I feel is nearly suffocating, and I find myself questioning my place in this dynamic. It’s ridiculous, I know. Benedict has made it clear he wants to spoil me. But as I watch them together, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something.
“Harper?” Benedict calls out, noticing me standing there, frozen in place. His voice is warm, inviting, and I snap myself out of it.
“Petra, I’ve got some dresses to return,” I announce, my voice straining to sound casual despite the emotions churning beneath the surface.
“Of course, darling!” Petra exclaims, her blue eyes lighting up as she takes the pile from my hands. “Did you find anything you liked?”
“Um, a few,” I admit, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “But I have a few more I was going to try on.”
“Good,” Benedict interjects, his gaze meeting mine with a smoldering intensity that sends shivers down my spine. “Buy anything you like.”
His words wrap around me like a warm embrace, and for a moment I allow myself to bask in the glow of his attention. But then I remember Petra’s presence beside him, and the jealousy flares up once more, demanding to be acknowledged.
“Take your time, sweetheart,” Petra encourages, giving me a reassuring smile. “Let me know if you need any help.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my heart pounding in my chest as I turn back toward the changing room. As Petra and Benedict continue their conversation, I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
Inside the small space, I lean against the wall, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. What is wrong with me? Why am I letting jealousy consume me like this? Apart from a single kiss, there’s nothing going on between Benedict and myself.
But then, why does seeing them together make me feel so…threatened? I can’t deny the twinge of jealousy that courses through me every time I see them interact. It’s unfamiliar territory for me, this sense of competition and insecurity. I’ve never felt this way before—not even when I found out about Hudson going on a date.
I need to just try on this dress, so I can get the heck out of here.
