I can’t hold in my giggles. Although, it’s probably better to laugh than drool over him. I knew he cleaned up well from our red carpet run-in, but this shopping trip will definitely be drool-worthy torture.
Mateo strikes a pose, one hand at the button of his jacket while the other strokes his beard. Somebody get a camera because there’s a model in the house. He doesn’t look at me as he speaks, instead staring off into the distance dramatically. “What do you think, mi vida?”
“I think you‘d never make it as a runway model, but you’ll pass on our next trip down the red carpet.”
He gasps dramatically and puts a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Never make it on the runway? How shall I survive?”
I roll my eyes as I shoo him back to the dressing room.
“You’ll survive.”
Lucille comes over with a clipboard and tape measure. She inspects the fit, makes some notes, and has her hands all over my husband. She may be in her fifties, but the green-eyed monster inside me awakens.
Calm down, Holly. She’s literally doing her job. Chill.
Mateo is a good sport, and smiles and answers Lucille’s questions about the fabric and the fit with ease. Lucille nods and leaves abruptly. Mateo looks at me, his eyes wide, and a pleadinglook on his face.
I shake my head. “Nope. We’re not done. There are business casual outfits in the dressing room I picked out that I want you to try on. Pick the ones you like most and put them in a pile. You don’t have to show me all of them.”
His face falls. “Does that mean our fashion show is over?”
I laugh. “Yes, now go.” I grab his arm and turn him around, pushing against his back and urging him toward the dressing room.
I can feel him chuckle through his back and I drop my hands. He flips back around. “Alright, alright, if you insist, mi amor. I’ll give you a break from my manliness.”
I cover my mouth with my hand and hide my smile. When it’s contained I wave my hand at him. “Go pick some clothes, hubby dearest.”
He slips in and closes the door, but I can still hear his chuckle.
I need a break from that smokin’ hot dreamboat for sure.
Let’s see if I can surprise him.
I head for the back wall and find the perfect shirt for him on the sales rack, of all places.
Maybe Mateo was on to something.
I roam the store, finding a few more items I have Lucille take to him to try on. The one from the sales rack I keep with me.
Eventually, I make my way back to the couch outside the dressing room. There’s shuffling for a minute, and then Mateo walks out in the clothes he came in.
I smile brightly as I stand and hold the clothes in my arms out to him. “You’re not done yet. I found you some casual clothes.”
His eyes widen and there’s an edge of panic around his eyes that clears as he blinks. “Why do I need new casual clothes?” He hesitantly takes the items inspects them, shaking his head. “I like my Wranglers. I don’t need new jeans.”
I clasp my hands in front of me to still their sudden shaking brought on by my closeness to the man I just spent the past half hour checking out. “I know, but these arefancy Wranglers. Just in case we need to go out in public for something that isn’t a suit and tie type event.”
Mateo inspects the items further. The price tag on the jeans flutters and his fingers catch it. His eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. “Holly. These are too expensive. I can’t afford to buy these on top of the suits and tuxedos.”
I shake my head. “We.”
He tilts his head to the side, his eyes meeting mine. “What?”
My mind races as I think of the simplest way to explain the reality of who I am and who he married. “Wecan afford to buy these.Weare buying these clothes.”
His eyebrows pull together. “But they’re clothes for me,” he states slowly.
I nod. “Yes, and you’re my husband. Didn’t Alex tell you most of the men who were trying to date me were after my money?” I step closer to him, my voice dropping so that only the two of us can hear it. “I have money, Mateo. Lots of it. I’m a frugal spender and great at investing my money wisely.”
