“Is it dangerous?” she asked.
He poured them both more wine. “Not really.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” she wondered aloud, taking a bite of her food. She would never believe him again. That was the problem.
“I didn’t lie to you,” he reminded her.
So not true. “Youdidlie to me. You definitely lied to me,” she argued. A knock sounded on the door, and she stiffened. “What is this, Grand Central Station today?”
He chuckled. “Two people does not make Grand Central Station.”
“It is way out here,” she muttered.
“I’ll get it.” He smoothly stood and walked toward the door, opening it. “Hello.”
“Hey there,” Millie said cheerfully as she swept past him, snow covering her curly hair. “I brought dresses for you for the New Year’s Eve ball. I knew you wouldn’t have anything.”
Serenity stood and gulped. “Oh, my.” Her eyes widened at a stunning pink dress awash in sequins, sparkles, and crystals. “Oh, Millie.” She reached down and touched the shiny material.
Rory cocked his head to the side. “Serenity?”
“This is lovely,” she breathed, taking the garment and holding it up to her body. The dress was too big, but she pretended for a moment anyway. She gently moved the material to see the fabric glisten and shimmer as the light danced upon it. The silhouette was formfitting with tiny straps that narrowed to a waist also adorned with crystals. The skirt would fall just above her knees.
Millie held out a lightweight yellow organza dress and a simple blue sheath with thicker straps. “I brought these for you, as well.”
“Oh, yes.” Serenity reached for the blue one. “This one is much more sensible.”
Millie cackled. “Who wants to be sensible? Come on, Serenity.”
Rory just studied her, not speaking.
Heat crawled up her neck to flush her face.
“I didn’t know you liked sparkles,” Rory murmured.
Millie slapped him on the arm. “Every woman likes sparkles.”
“Not Serenity.” His dark brows drew down.
Serenity needed to get a grip. “That’s true. I’m much more practical, of course.”
“Well, that’s too bad.” Millie yanked the dresses away. “The pink is too wide in the hips for you, but you definitely need some snazzle. I’ll keep looking.” With that, she shoved Rory in the stomach. “You’d better be making things right.” She turned and stomped through the living room, yanked open the door, and strode right back out into the snowy night. Was the woman just being nosy? No doubt she’d be on the phone soon to friends reporting in that Rory had been invited to dinner.
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be right back.” He hustled after her, no doubt to make sure the elderly lady didn’t fall on her way home.
Serenity gulped and imagined wearing a dress full of sequins to the ball. Oh, she loved the idea, even though wearing such a light material during winter was silly. She’d have to don a heavy coat and boots just to get to the Elks Lodge, and then she’d need to change into shoes. It wasn’t a practical dress at all, so it was a good thing it had been the wrong size.
When Rory returned, snow had fallen on his head. He brushed it off before returning to the table. “So, you like sparkles, huh? I guess I’m not the only one who may have hidden a thing or two.”
“No, I don’t,” she fumbled. “I just…the dress caught me off guard.”
“Hmm.” His gaze delved deep, like usual.
They ate in silence for a while, and Serenity wished she hadn’t gotten so silly over the dress. What had she been thinking? “If I go to the ball, I’ll find something to wear. Maybe the yellow one from last year.” It was a plain cotton sheath she could dress up with jewelry.
“No, you’re not,” he said. “Wear a glittery dress. Why not have a little sparkle?”
“I’ll think about it.” She didn’t have time to go shopping, so it’d have to be the yellow dress. They ate the rest of their dinner in companionable silence before Serenity started to clean up.
