She pinches her eyebrows together, a wrinkle worrying her brow. “That will never happen.”
“We’ll see. You’ll be begging me to kiss you before long.”
“I knew you were unhinged.” She folds her arms across her chest. “How do you plan to make this happen?”
“By taking you on a date.” I crowd her frame, backing her up against the wall. Every bone in my body fighting the urge to just kiss her now and take what’s mine. I dip my head to whisper into her ear. “I think ten grand buys me a date, right?”
With a throbbing dick and my heart in my throat, I don’t wait for an answer. Instead, I collect my sketchbook and stride out from behind the restaurant alone, shouting, “I’ll text you,” over my shoulder.
Chapter Seven
SHELLY
“Beg him?” Lennon says.
“I know. Can you believe it?” I hold up a long floaty skirt with beads and tassels around the waist. “He says he’ll text me with instructions for a date.”
“So you don’t know where he’s taking you?” Lennon leans over the counter of her thrift store. She’s always been a supporter of the turtle conservation effort, and she has the best clothing finds in town.
“Not a clue.” I hold the skirt to my waist, stretching the elastic to check it’ll fit.
Lennon rounds the counter and hooks a dress from the rack. “If he’s taking you for a meal, this would be nice.” It’s a pretty sea-green dress with tiny flower print and a frill at the hem. “This would look so cute on you.”
I take it from her and check the size. “Let me try it on.” Gathering a few things in my arms, I slip behind the curtain in the tiny store.
“What do you know about him?” Lennon calls while I change.
Pulling the dress over my head, I pause, realising I don’t actually know anything about this man. Other than he’s now ten thousand dollars out of pocket. A fact that makes me smile each time I think of it. He’s clearly generous, but that doesn’t make up for his arrogance.
“I don’t really know much about him.” I slide the curtain back, revealing the knee-length dress.
“He’s not gonna be able to resist you in that.” Lennon claps her hands together.
“I’m not trying to impress him.” I turn around to gaze back at my reflection in the mirror. The frill at the knee is pretty. I’m not sure what guys like. “Do guys like cute or sexy?” This dress is more the former of the two.
“Mark my words, he’ll be feral for you.”
“I’ll think about it.” Just as I pull the curtain back, my phone pings.
Are you free this afternoon? I’ll pick you up around two if you text me your address. Finn
My heart races, the dress becoming increasingly tight around my bust with each gasp for air. “He wants to pick me up at two.”
“Oh, great. You were just saying you didn’t have any plans for the rest of the day.”
“I can’t be ready by two. I need to shave and do my hair.”
“I thought you weren’t trying to impress him?” There’s a hint of a smile in her tone.
“He could’ve given me more notice.”
“You have three hours. Wear your white linen pants with that crochet cami today. Pair it with some whitesandals and your shell purse. It will look classy. You could save the cute dress for date number two.” She pauses. “Or just tell him you can’t make it today.”
“He’d think I was making up an excuse to back out of the deal. Besides, I may as well get this over with, right? There won’t be a date number two.” I read the text again, breathing a little easier and text back.
You could have given me more notice. I have things to do.
No, you don’t. I just checked with your colleague at the beach hut. Apparently, you’re out shopping for something to wear to our date. Wink emoji.
