Sophie
I’veneverwornadress that made me feel so beautiful.
It evenfeelsbeautiful. “I like it,” I whisper, my hands stroking the skirt.
Ashton smirks. “I knew you would.”
“You’re very good at this shopping thing.”
“Oh, I know.” His smirk turns to smugness, but this time I smile at the sight. Because if he found the dress that makes me feel like this, he’s very, very good at this shopping thing.
I have never been.
I went shopping with my mother to look for a bridesmaid dress for her second wedding and ended up with a flowered monstrosity with a huge butt bow, because Mom thought it suitable for a spring wedding.
I went shopping with Stella for a prom dress, and came out with the most basic of basic black dresses.
Stella knows me better than anyone, and she shied away from colours and patterns. For the longest time, I thought it was because I wouldn’t look good in dresses like that, but now I know it’s only because Stella only relates to black dresses. She’s afraid of colour.
My mother was afraid of being upstaged by her daughters. I know that now, too.
Just like I know I was born to wear this dress.
Behind me, Ashton rests his hands on my shoulders. I stare at our reflection. “I like it.”
“You look incredible,” he says in a low voice.
“Incredible?” I whisper.
“Amazing,” he clarifies.
I do. I do look incredible and amazing, and suddenly very, very pretty, but it still feels surreal. How could it be that it tookAshton Carringtonto bring out this side of me?
“Why are you so nice to me?”
Ashton lifts his shoulder in another graceful shrug. Such a masculine man shouldn’t be allowed to make such a move.
It’s not fair. He thinks I can dance with broken toes. Maybehecan because he’s graceful and smooth and beautiful—
He called me amazing. Incredible.
He wants to dance with me. He kissed me… and right now, it looks like he’s about to do it again. Right in front of everyone.
I’d be the talk of the town once everyone knows that I was caught kissing Ashton Carrington in the change room at Arthur’s Attire.
I don’t think I’d mind one bit.
How did this happen?
Ashton has been in Laandia for weeks. Over the years, he’s visited so often, staying with Gunnar at the castle, with Fenella, and now Basher, but the visits were short. He never stayed for longer than a week.
So why now? Why now, only after the accident…
I stare at his reflection, like I’m seeing him for the first time.
The jacket, made from soft-as-butter leather. The cashmere sweater that would cost more than anything in this store.
Every one of my dresses has come from Arthur’s, whereas Ashton has shopped throughout the world. Because Ashton Carrington is a billionaire.
