I grab Riku by the hand and drag him over to the ornaments. “What do you think Kiko will like? You can grab them something from here, and we’ll send them to her. It will probably be too late, but she can have it for next year. Better pick something for the new baby too. Also, I saw some really nice silk scarves when we came in. Do you think the women in your family would like them? I need help, please.” I’m rambling, talking a million miles an hour, but I want to get this present giving thing right. I’ve never had people to give gifts to before, apart from my family, and I’m kind of excited by it all. “What about your dad? I saw a nice leather wallet in the bag section when we came through.”
Riku stops me and tugs me close. We’re still supposed to be keeping up appearances that Ash and I are getting married, so he can’t look like anything but a bodyguard at the moment no matter how much I crave his lips and arms. “Slow down, princess, we have all day. You know you don’t have to buy my family anything, but I will help you if you want.”
“I would have offered to fly them over, but I didn’t want them to be here for the fireworks. Maybe next year we can all have Christmas at the castle. That would be fun. Oh, I need to call Ana Marie and get her to order enough stuff so we can really decorate the whole place.” I pull away and take out my phone to make a note.
“What fireworks?” Riku asks cautiously, and I cringe a little, leaning in even though Ash is far enough away not to hear.
“We’re going to deal with Ash’s problem once and for all. But I wanted to talk to everyone when they get here this evening, okay?”
“Okay,” he answers as the manager returns, followed by two personal shoppers carrying baskets.
“Kayla and Lincoln here will help you with everything you need, including the delivery arrangements. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything else.” The manager hands a card to Ash, who takes it and passes it to me.
“She’s the one you should be sucking up to. She could buy and sell me ten times over.”
I roll my eyes but take the card. “Thank you,” I tell the manager dismissively, then turn to the two who are going to help. “Call me Jacinta. That’s Riku, my bodyguard, and this is Ash.” The manager frowns, but I ignore him. “Now, let’s shop.”
By the time I’m done, I’ve spent a nice chunk of change and kept my two personal shoppers on their feet for the last few hours, but I’m happy with everything I got. All of the guys got matching hats, scarves, and gloves for the cold Romanian weather. I also got them each a bottle of cologne, having sent a few messages to people to find out what they like to wear. The only person I didn’t know about was Cole, so I just picked out something I liked. Then I got them each a new watch as well. I mean, who can walk past Tag Heuer without stopping or slowing down to look at them? Ash helped me pick out some nice things for his sister, and I got her a makeover and gift voucher from Sephora. He told me his grandmother doesn’t let her wear makeup, which I understand, but it doesn’t hurt for her to know to apply it. She’s fourteen, for God’s sake. That’s the kind of thing they all like. Riku helped me shop for Spencer. On top of all the guys’ help, Kayla and Lincoln were invaluable, so I make sure to tip them extremely well at the end of the session.
“Ah, Countess Bucataru, I think you made a mistake here.” The judgy manager returned as I was finalizing the bill, like he wanted to take credit for all the sales himself.
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow as he points out the tip section.
“Yes. I think you made a mistake with the tip.” I lean over and have a look at where he’s pointing even though I know what he’s referring to.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I had originally tipped them both one thousand dollars, but after seeing the asshole they have to work under, I change the one to a five. “After all, they did all the work.” Kayla gasps, and Lincoln looks a little pale at the amount. “Merry Christmas, guys, and thanks. That money better go to them.” I glare at the manager, and he swallows as Ash hands a business card to the two personal shoppers.
“Please let us know if you don’t receive the tip,” he tells them, and we head out of the store.
There’s a press contingency waiting for us out front, and as Riku pushes through them, they shout questions at me and Ash.
“Jacinta, how are the wedding plans going?”
“Is it true the two of you are on the rocks, and that’s why you’ve been out of the public eye for the last month?”
“Jacinta, are you pregnant with another man’s baby?”
The last one almost makes me stop and laugh because it could be true, but Ash just grabs me by the arm and keeps me moving while he smiles and replies. “Jazzy and I are just here to spend Christmas with family, then we’ll be right back into wedding plans, for sure.”
He puts his hand on my head as I duck into the limo then climbs in after me. The door slams shut, and Riku must get into the front with the driver before it pulls away from the curb.
“Phew, I don’t know about you, but I need a nap after all that.” I lean my head on his shoulder, and he puts an arm around me.
“I need a cigarette and a stiff drink,” he grumbles, and I pinch him playfully.
“It wasn’t that bad,” I argue, and he grimaces.
“It really was.”
“Fine, I’ll make sure it’s Alex and Jace whom I drag with me on my next shopping trip.”
“That will be much appreciated.” He leans his head back and closes his eyes for the short trip back to the hotel.
* * *
All three of us have a nap after we grab a bite to eat. Having them on either side of me again is a surefire way for me to sleep like a log.
The guys arrive just in time to join us for dinner. Jace, Alex, and Shane greet me with steamy kisses and embraces while Cole is a little more reserved. Neither of us know where we stand, and we really haven’t seen each other since the intervention. I hope he hasn’t changed his mind.
