Page 56 of The Moment I Knew

“Uh-huh.”

“He mentioned your birthday,” she went on lightly. “This weekend, right? Such a big one.” She tilted her head. “Sixteen?”

I was surprised she remembered since she always treated me like I was five years old instead of fifteen. But I nodded anyway.

Hilary hummed to herself. “Well, if you are still looking,” she said, stepping back at last and gesturing expansively to the racks, “I’d suggest something simple. Clean lines. Nothing that tries too hard.” Her eyes flicked down me, assessing, then back up. “You don’t want the dress to wear you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said stiffly.

“Tell you what,” Hilary said. “Why don’t I pick out some dresses for you to try?”

“Actually, I was about to head out,” I said. “Ainsley found her dress and⁠—”

“You didn’t?” Hilary tilted her head, faux concern softening her voice. “Oh, honey, we can’t have that. Tell you what—why don’t I pick out a dress for you? I’ll have your dad take care of it. You just try it on at home, no stress. Easy, right?”

I froze for a second, my mind racing. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but Ainsley was still in the dressing room, completely unaware of Hilary. If she saw us…

“Uh… yeah, sure,” I said quickly, nodding. “That… that sounds fine. Totally fine.”

Hilary’s smile stretched wider, just a touch smug. “Wonderful. I know exactly what will look good on you. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Great!” I said a little too quickly. “Yeah… that sounds… perfect.” My stomach flipped. “I should—uh—I should get going, though. My sister’s waiting.”

Hilary didn’t budge, still smiling like a cat that caught the canary. “Of course. But you’ll love what I pick. Trust me.”

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart race. “Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, really. That’s… super helpful.”

Finally, she stepped back, gesturing to the racks. “Consider it done, honey. I’ll send it to your dad, and he can get it to you before the weekend. Easy-peasy.”

“Perfect,” I said again, my voice rushing. “Exactly what I need. Thanks so much!”

I seized the moment and slipped past her, pulling my phone out of my pocket and texting Ainsley to meet me outside once she was done. My legs felt like jelly as I kept my eyes forward, ignoring Hilary’s still-too-bright smile behind me. Anywhere but here.

I stumbled into the hallway of the mall, almost crashing into a family of five when I didn’t look where I was going. I mumbled an apology, watching as the dad swept the youngest girl closer to him, hugging him close to his legs as they continued forward. She smiled up at him with all the love in the world and suddenly I wanted to throw up.

“What are we looking at?” a voice whispered in my ear. I yelped and on instinct, swung a hand up.

My wrist was caught mid-swing, fingers wrapping around it with effortless strength. I sucked in a breath, heart slamming against my ribs as he leaned in, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him at my back.

“Easy,” he murmured, voice low and amused, lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Though… those were impressive reflexes.”

I tried to yank my hand free, but his grip tightened just enough to remind me I wouldn’t win that fight. I turned, scowling up at him, and of course it was Cole. Leather jacket, lazy smirk, dark eyes flicking briefly toward the end of the hall before returning to me.

“Seriously, though,” he said. “What were you looking at? Staring after the next guy I need to beat up for you?”

I scowled and tried to yank my hand back again. This time, he let go, but even with his hand gone, I still felt the imprint of his fingers on my skin.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. My voice was probably a little too accusing given that I was in a public mall that anybody could come to if they wanted, but seriously, how many times could I run into this guy?

He pressed an arm against the wall above me, leaning over me like he’d done last night. My heart pounded as he leaned in closer. Feigning defiance, I tilted my chin up to be able to look into his eyes. He arched a brow at me, a smile toying at his lips.. “When will you get it through your head?” he asked, his voice a low, teasing whisper.. “I’m your stalker.”

“I guess I thought that only applied to weekdays. My mistake.”

He chuckled, leaning back slightly. Suddenly the air around us seemed so much colder. “Weekends are prime stalking hours. Less predictable.”

“You need a hobby,” I said. “Something normal. Drawing. Birdwatching. Court-ordered community service.”

“Ouch.” He pressed his hand flatter against the wall, not touching me, but close enough that my shoulder brushed his jacket when I breathed. “And here I thought showing up to make sure you didn’t get trampled by families wandering around was heroic.”