“Oh, yes. I have it. Let’s do something with this shirt.”
He reached out and took hold of the bottom. She gasped when he gathered the material tight around her waist and tied the bulk in a knot. Embarrassment washed over her and she flattened her hands over her slightly exposed belly.
He laughed and peeled her hands away. “Don’t hide it, sweetie. This style looks really good on you.”
“But you can see my tummy.”
“I know, and it’s a cute tummy.”
He didn’t mind? Her chest bubbled with giddiness. But then his gaze lifted to her long mass of hair, and once again her heart sank. When a rejected look puzzled his expression, defeat overwhelmed her. “What’s wrong?”
He tilted his head. “Your hair.”
“What’s wrong with my hair?”
“We need to do something about it.”
“Like what?”
He examined her for a few minutes longer, then asked. “Would you mind if I checked out your bedroom for something?”
Her eyes widened. “My bedroom? What for?”
Taking her hand in his, he pulled her toward the room. “I’m looking for something to put in your hair or on your head.”
She should be insulted, but his charming grin calmed her fear. “What’s wrong with my hair?”
“Your hair is a very beautiful auburn color, but it’s too long and straight. It needs a little pizzazz.”
“I’ve had this style most of my life, and I’ve never worried about it havingpizzazz.”
He stopped when they reached her room and turned toward her. His finger nudged her chin up until her gaze locked with his. “Do you want my help or not?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“Then you’ll have to trust me.” He turned and walked into her room. “Do you have a baseball cap?”
“Yes, but don’t ask me where I put it.”
“Okay, how about a scarf?”
It only took a moment before she remembered where she’d kept the scarf she’d never used. “Yes.” She went to her closet and dug through a pile of clothes on the shelf.
She pulled it out and showed him. “Here it is.”
He took it and moved around behind her, then gathered the bulk of her hair into a ponytail, tying it with the scarf. He came back around in front of her and his grin broadened.
“Wow. You look stunning.”
His compliment, whether false or real, caused her heart to hammer and she couldn’t stop a full smile from spreading across her face. She seriously doubted Brad’s ability to see clearly at the moment, but his words brought a burning joy to her bosom. A feeling completely foreign to her, and yet one she wanted to feel more often.
The doorbell rang, and panic came back with an overwhelming force, slamming into her gut. She swallowed hard and nervously wrung her hands. “Oh, no. They’re here.”
He chuckled and separated her hands, taking one in his and rubbings the pads of his thumbs on her skin. “Come on, tiger, let’s go greet our guests.”
She stumbled as he pulled her forward. When the name he’d used registered in her head, she quickly stopped, bringing him to a halt.
“What did you just call me?” she shrieked.
