Alexandra follows my gaze, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “The dress, huh? Sure it’s not the tall, dark, and handsome over there?”
“Alex,” I whisper, feeling my cheeks heat. “It’s not like that. He’s just doing his job.”
“Mmm,” she hums, clearly unconvinced. “Well, if that’s what bodyguards look like these days, maybe I should hire one, too.”
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my stomach flips at her words. “Can we focus on the dress, please? My client is expecting miracles, and I need to deliver.”
“Alright, alright,” Alexandra concedes, but the twinkle in her eye tells me this conversation isn’t over. “Now, about the train. I’m thinking cathedral length but with detachable options...”
As Alexandra sketches out some ideas, I turn toward Ryder. He’s been silent this whole time, a looming presence in the background.
“So,” I say, aiming for casual, “what do you think of all this?”
Ryder’s eyes flick to me, then back to the windows. “It’s elaborate.”
I can’t help but laugh. “That’s one word for it. Not your scene?”
He shrugs, the movement emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders. “I prefer function over form.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell from your thrilling wardrobe of black t-shirts and cargo pants,” I tease.
A ghost of a smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “I wear what’s required of me.”
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “So, you’re telling me you’d wear a suit if the job called for it?”
His eyes meet mine, a glimmer of amusement in their depths. “Yes. Done it before. But I prefer comfort and practicality.”
I picture Ryder in a tailored suit. “Sometimes beauty for beauty’s sake is enough.”
Ryder’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. “Beauty has its place,” he says, his voice low. Then, with a hint of a smirk, he adds, “And sometimes, it’s standing right in front of me, causing more trouble than it’s worth.”
The compliment, wrapped in his usual gruffness, catches me off guard. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I struggle to maintainmy composure. We’ve gone a long way since our first days. “Are you calling me beautiful or troublesome?” I challenge, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.
His eyes roam over me for a second, so quickly I almost miss it. “Both,” he says. “Definitely both.”
I open my mouth to retort, but find myself at a loss for words. The intensity in his gaze makes my heart race, and I’m very aware of how close we’re standing.
“I...”
“Cora, darling, come look at this sketch. I think we’ve cracked it!”
I turn away from Ryder, my mind spinning. What just happened? Was that flirting? No, I’m reading too much into it. He’s just doing his job.
I force myself to focus on the task at hand. The dress design is coming together, a perfect blend of classic elegance and modern flair.
“It’s perfect, Alex,” I say, admiring the sketch. “My client is going to love it.”
“Of course she will,” Alexandra says with a wink. “We make a great team.”
A commotion outside catches our attention. Raised voices filter through the boutique’s windows, growing louder by the second.
Ryder tenses, his hand moving to his hip where I know he keeps his weapon concealed. His eyes narrow as he scans the street outside.
“What’s going on?” I ask, a tendril of fear curling in my stomach.
Before Ryder can answer, a shout rings out.
“It’s her! She’s here!”
