Jun winks. “My sister had the worst morning sickness when she was pregnant with her second kid. This chocolate and tea made all the difference for her.”
“You try it first,” Fiona says to me. “I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to control my reaction, just in case it hits me wrong.”
I glance at Lareina, wondering if I should wait for her to take a bite first.
However, Lareina looks at me hopefully, then explains after pulling her lips in for a moment, “I still can’t eat anything unless somebody tries it first.”
I stare at her in surprise. I’ve heard interviews about her past, but thought she overcame it with Ares and the rest of the family behind her.
She smiles ruefully. “I know. But some things just can’t be overcome so easily.”
I pop a piece into my mouth. The creamy truffle melts on my tongue quickly, flooding my mouth with an intense chocolate flavor. It goes down my throat smoothly too, leaving a trail of richness behind.
Swallowing a moan, I nod at Lareina and Fiona with a thumbs-up.
Lareina takes a bite, then blinks in pleasant surprise. “It’s amazing. You have to try some, even if you end up puking,” she says to Fiona.
Fiona inhales to boost her courage. “If you say so.” She picks up a truffle and bites into it gingerly, then licks her lips and waits a few moments. A slow smile spreads over her face. “I can eat this.” She breathes out slowly. “Oh myGod. I think this might be the elixir of life.”
Jun laughs. “You’re welcome.” She turns to me. “Ailee, you can pick anything you want. I’ll have everything delivered to your address, so you won’t have to worry about carrying it home.”
Home delivery. Just how much stuff am I expected to buy? And then I also realize I don’t even have a wallet on me. “Um. I don’t have a credit card or anything. Do you take Apple Pay?”
“Yes, we do, but I didn’t think you’d swipe plastic,” Jun says with a careless shrug.
“You didn’t…?” Whatwasshe thinking?
“Some people pay on site, but most get invoiced. I was planning to send Josh a nice, fat bill.” Jun’s eyes gleam. “Love spending a man’s money when he’s determined to spoil his woman.” She puts her fingers to her chest in a delicate gesture. “It would be wrong of me to impede your fiancé’s desire to splurge on you.”
My mouth forms a small O. Surprised pleasure that he wants to spoil me wars with the need to stay grounded in reality, lest I overestimate my place in his life. We’re only together for six months, after all.
“Don’t worry. His accountant already sent a text, telling me you can buy anything you want.”
I feel a little faint as Jun speaks.Josh has beenreallythoughtful.“But everything looks expensive,” I blurt.
Jun laughs. “It better. Come on. Let’s get started.”
Chapter Nineteen
Ailee
“That pink would be perfect for you. Super cute. Lively. Adorable,” Lareina says, pointing out a fitted dress that would work for an evening out or the office, if paired with a cardigan or jacket.
It looks great on the rack, but…
Ailee, you know pink makes you look bloated, right? It’s the kind of color only Katt can pull off.Mom’s voice rings in my head, and I force a smile. “Pink might not be right for me, especially something that pastel.”
Fiona shoots me a curious glance.
“I think it makes me look…expansive.” I spread my arms to illustrate the point.
Lareina stares at me like I just told her I’d like to jump naked into a compost bin. “What? That shade isperfectfor you.”
“Worried about light colors adding a few pounds?” Fiona asks. “Something like that?”
I nod. “Plus, my mother said the same thing.”
Lareina scoffs. “Only if the dress hangs on you like a sack. This is well tailored and fitted. Besides, you can always add a belt—like this one—to draw attention to the cinched waist.” She picks out a belt made with dark faux-croc leather. “This particular shade of pink would go well with almost anything…” She narrows her eyes, considering. “Except red. Trust the artist.”
