I look at it, then at him. “What are you doing?”
“Go shopping.” He nods toward the street. “You’re going to need clothes for the weekend.”
“We have clothes,” I say, resisting on principle. “We can just find another laundromat.”
“You’ll need different clothes.”
“For what?”
“Can you just do as you’re told and go buy some clothes?”
“That is—” I take the card, the plastic cool against my palm. “This is very—”
“Very what?”
“VeryPretty Woman.”
He tips his head back and laughs. The real one, all the way up from his chest. A woman passing by with a dog glances over at the sound of it.
“Does this have something to do with the plans you still won’t tell me about?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” I flip the card over.Griffin J. Hayes. I know the J stands for James, after his father. “What kind of clothes? Give me something to work with.”
“Comfortable but fun.”
“Comfortable but fun,” I repeat.
I look at the card again, then at the line of shops. There’s a boutique two doors down with a promising rack outside, something with a colorful sign beyond that, and a vintage store with a mannequin in a yellow sundress that I already want.
“I can wear what I have.” It’s one last half-hearted attempt. “Really, I don’t need anything.”
He reaches over and tucks two fingers under my chin, tilting my head up the way he does when he’s decided I’m going to look at him. The sun catches my face, but it’s his gaze that holds me.
“Do you want to wear the clothes you have?” he asks.
“No,” I admit. “I want to go on a shopping spree with your card.”
“Then go. I saw a bar down the street.” He releases my chin. “I’m going to put my ass on a stool.”
He takes my face in both hands and presses a quick kiss to my mouth like it’s a habit.
My stomach does the thing it’s been doing since the motel.
He steps back. “Go.”
I turn toward the shops. I get exactly three steps before I spin back around. “Just so we’re clear—”
He rolls his eyes. “Piper.”
“I’m going to spend an irresponsible amount.”
“I know.”
“On things that are comfortable and fun.”
“Yes.”
