She raises her brows, waiting for me to continue.
“You ladies are in luck,” the sales associate says before I can reply. “Let me know if you have any questions or need a different size.”
“Thank you so much,” I say, taking both boxes from her, passing Nora’s to her.
“You’re not off the hook,” she mutters as she removes the lid. “Go on.”
“He calls himself my sweetheart and has left me a handful of notes so far. And he paid for my lunch with my mom the other day.” I slide off sandals before leaning down to slide on the heels. They fit like a glove—or, well, a shoe. Whatever.
“He also left, um, roses on my windshield.” I stand and look at my feet in the mirror, doing a little spin. “These look nice, right?”
“They do, and that’s… creepy.”
“It was sweet at first, but yeah, it’s getting a little creepy.”
“Please be careful,” she implores.
“I will be,” I assure her, forcing out a laugh I most definitely don’t feel. “Plus, I’m sure whoever’s behind this is harmless. Some shy little sap too nervous to talk to me.”
“Maybe,” Nora agrees, but she doesn’t look too convinced.
“Are you going to try your shoes on or sit here and worry about me having a secret admirer?”
She hesitates, blows out a frustrated breath, and kicks her shoes off. “Oh, these are comfy.”
“Stand up, walk in them.”
“Sure thing, mom.” She rolls her eyes.
“Now twirl.”
She shoots me an incredulous look. “Babe, you will have to dance in them, so twirl.”
“Fine. God, you’re bossy,” she says, spinning stiffly in a circle.
“Still comfy?”
“Yes, and I love the color.”
“It’s like they were made for you.” I nudge her with shoulder. “Hard to believe you’re tying the knot so soon.”
“I’m really excited. But also kind of nervous.”
“Nervous?” I place the heels back in the box and slip on my sandals. “About what? Atlas worships the ground you walk on.”
“I know, but leaving James?—”
“That’s why we’re doing a trial run this weekend,” I remind her. “Y’all will get a practice night out, and I’ll get to prove I’m the best babysitter ever. Do you know what Atlas has planned?”
“No!” She stomps her foot. “He’s keeping it totally under wraps.”
“Well, I can assure you, no matter what y’all do, James will be in good hands with me.”
“I know he is.” She lays her hand on mine. “There’s no one I’d trust more.”
Aside from Ellis,I think bitterly. It’s honestly obscene how good he is with the little guy. And don’t even get me started on the way his arms look when he holds him. Honestly, the man’s damn near perfect—until he talks.
“I know you said we didn’t need to pay you, but?—”
