“Unfortunately, no. But I promise you’ll like it better than a piece of jewelry.”
She was dubious about that.
“More clothes?” she asked when her hand met fabric. “How many pieces of clothing does one woman need?”
“All of them, preferably,” Arden said, making her snort.
“What in the tides …”
Iris drew out a filmy, long white piece of linen.
“Oh, darling,” Arden sighed. He shook his head and took the fabric from her to lift it right side up to reveal …
“Is that a bathing suit cover-up?”
There wasn’t much to it.
It was nearly see-through, with a large slit all the way up the front and one pearly clasp right between the breasts.
“Indeed.”
“Is there a bathing suit?”
“There’s … these.” Arden pulled out a pair of barely there white panties.
“That’s it?”
“Well, there’s also these.” Arden pulled out two green-tinted seashell … stickers?
“What are those?”
“Boob stickers.”
“Boob stickers? I, uh, didn’t realize that’s an area that requires accessorizing.”
“They’re more for modesty. Kind of like your seashell bra. These are specially made for mermaids. They’re very water-resistant. Plus, they match your tail.”
“Oh, all right. So … is there some sort of beach-themed event going on?”
“Actually, that delicious man of yours is taking you on a date.”
“A date? Really?” She was a little embarrassed at how excited she was at the prospect.
“He planned it all himself. And it is good.” Arden presseda hand to his heart, swooning a bit. “But I’m not ruining the surprise.”
“Please don’t. So, when do I need to be ready?”
Arden checked his watch—with its little hands tipped in pink hearts. “In about half an hour.”
“Wait, really?”
“Finn told Henry he needed the whole day off to woo his lovely bride-to-be. Though, I must say, you seem thoroughly wooed already. Is that a post-coital glow you have going on?”
She doubted it. But the second he said it, her flush betrayed her.
“Was it as good as I imagine it is?”
“Better.”
