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Or… I could actually use my own money. I’m about to have a lot more of it once Ford pays me, and I trust that he will. I can actually afford to buy people things for once.
I peruse the various items and decide to get gorgeous handmade leather wallets Hayden, Ford, and Gabriel, each with a slightly different design. I get a pair of leather gloves for Charles and then decide I should probably get something little for Liam too, just so it won’t be awkward. I settle on a little leather shaving kit since he loves to take care with his appearance. He was always pretty vain while we were dating.
The cashier informs me they have a gift wrapping service, and normally I’d be happy to wrap the presents myself, but I don’t know where anything is in the house and I’m not sure I’ll even have time. I’d hate to get caught by someone who’ll see their present, so I ask to pay for that service too.
While I’m waiting for the gift wrapping to be finished, I get out my card.
“That doesn’t look like a Black Amex.”
I jump about a mile and turn to see Hayden standing there, frowning. Ford and Gabriel are with him.
“We thought you’d fallen behind,” Ford explains.
“You can’t look!” I move to stand in front of the cashier so they can’t see what I’ve bought. “I had to get everyone presents!”
“And you’re going to pay for it with your own card?” Gabriel asks.
“Yes, of course.”
“After we gave you ours?”
“I’m not using your cards,” I retort. “You three made me take them, I didn’t ask for them. Just because I was forced to accept them doesn’t mean you can make me use them.”
The three men look at each other, apparently having to admit they’ve been outplayed. Hayden gives me a flat look. “Fine.” He holds out his hand. “Then I want mine back.”
That startles me, I have to admit, but I fish the three cards out of my purse, make sure to find the one with his name on it, and hand it over.
Hayden walks right up to the cashier and holds out his card. “Please charge everything to this card, thank you.”
The cashier glances back and forth between us, but clearly has reached that point in the busy holiday season where she’s not paid enough to worry about this kind of drama. She takes the card and charges everything to it.
Hayden winks at me triumphantly and pockets his card. I gape at him. That—that sneaky—I can’t even believe it. This must be how his business competitors feel when he’s outmaneuvered them.
I wish I didn’t find it so attractive.
Gabriel chuckles. “You’ve been outplayed.”
Then he plucks his card from my hand and walks over to the handbag section of the store. He sizes me up quickly, then scans the handbags, and selects a beautiful light pink one with both a top handle and a shoulder strap and an elegant black clasp. It’s classy and clearly high quality.
Gabriel walks over and places it on the counter. “This one, please.”
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
“You have had to make do with that oversized bag for far too long. You deserve something that matches the lovely, feminine, classic styles you wear.”
It’s true that I just have my big, old, practical purse. I use it to hold files for work. It’s sturdy, that’s for sure. But it’s not glamorous. I’ve always wanted something cute and fashionable. I try to be as put-together as I can even on my limited budget. But I don’t need a purse at work, where I have to look my best to represent my bosses, and good purses, especially quality leather, are just so expensive. It’s never been in my budget.
I hadn’t thought that anyone, especially not my bosses, had noticed that I carry this clunky bag to and from the office.
Gabriel pays for the purse and hands it over to me. “There you are.”
“I can’t possibly accept this.”
“We gave you our cards for a reason,” Ford says, taking his card from my hand. “If you won’t use them, then we’ll use them for you.”
“Don’t you dare go buying me something!” I protest.
Ford eyes the gloves that are being neatly wrapped in delicate tissue and shiny wrapping paper for his father. “Gloves are a smart choice. He’ll appreciate those.”
