Rude.
GREY
So really… What are you up to? Are you with Ivy? *big smile emoji*
ALEXANDER
I am, actually.
GREY
SQUEAL! That’s so exciting! I want the details!
I’m trying to formulate the words to tell Grey about Ivy and what it is we’re doing when Ivy comes out of the dressing area. And she is stunning. Don’t get me wrong, she has been absolutely beautiful in her more casual clothing, but there's something about how the dress hugs her curvesthat makes me stand. It’s green, a shade darker than her eyes, and as I approach her eyes pop, but I notice concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s so short. The woman assured me it was appropriate, but I have never worn anything this short.”
“We don’t need to get this one if it makes you uncomfortable, but I have to say … you have incredible legs, so if any of your discomfort is self-consciousness, there’s no need for that. I promise.”
I run the back of my hand down her bare arm because I can’t not touch her right now, and smile as I see gooseflesh pop up in the wake of my touch.
“I’ll keep it as an option.” Her voice is a near whisper, and it makes me want to touch her again. To hold her and whisper to her about everything I find incredible about her. But I don’t. Keeping my word to keep the touching to a minimum will be the most difficult part of all this.
“Good,” I say before returning to my seat.
She comes out several minutes later in a red dress and I swear my heart stops for a moment. You’d think I would be immune to beautiful women, but there is something about her beauty that’s real and pure, and that you don’t find in Hollywood. At least I haven’t seen it. And that it’s the packaging of this incredible, funny, and smart woman. It’s almost too much.
Once more, I’m on my feet.
“You like this one too?” she asks, and I realize I haven’t spoken.
I clear my throat. “I like it very much. Do you?”
“Yes. I like this one and I think I like the green one too. I made friends with the length when I got back in front of the mirror. Which should I get?”
“We’ll get both, and if you only wear one while you’re here, that’s okay.” I slide my hands into my pockets to put something between them and the beauty standing three feet from me.
“That’s silly; I don’t need both.”
“I’m going to buy you things. It might not be real,” I whisper, stepping closer. “But we’re pretending like it is and if you were mine, you’d have both dresses, and anything you wanted.”
“You can’t buy me, Alex.”
“I know that. But I can’t help but want to give you things.”
She gives me a soft smile. “Well, thank you. I love them. And this one is so soft.”
I look for anywhere I can touch it without stepping over a line she might have.
“It looks soft.” Maybe I can touch the back.
“You can touch it.” She takes my hand and brings it to her waist, and I groan internally. I never should have touched her in this dress. The fabric glides like water, and the warmth ofher skin underneath sends my nerves into a frenzy.
“It’s better than soft.” I’ve never been more excited to make a purchase.
She smiles, unaware of my inner turmoil. “It is.” She turns, heading back to the dressing room. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She throws a smile over her shoulder, and man, if it doesn’t make my heart pick up even more speed.
