Page 23 of Tied By Treachery

Then yes, please.

Grinning, I put the phone face up on the counter, where I could still see his name as I finished Trevor’s meal prep. I glanced over more often than I expected, but I didn’t let my distraction slow me down too much.

I slid the last container onto the shelf and shut the fridge as Trevor came in from the garage.

“Hey, Celia.” He tossed his keys into a bowl near the door. “Smells good in here.”

“Thanks.” I rinsed my hands and dried them on a towel. “You should be stocked up through Sunday.”

“Fantastic.”

My screen lit up as I grabbed my phone from the counter, and I smiled again, thinking about Julian’s texts.

“You’re in a good mood.”

“Now that I’m done cooking in your gorgeous kitchen, I’m headed out to shop for a new dress,” I explained. “So pretty much a perfect day.”

“Why do I feel like there’s more to that story?” he drawled.

“Because I’m surrounded by nosy people today.” I headed for the door before my blush gave me away.

“Have fun with the dress.”

Shaking my head with a laugh, I got into my car and backed out of Trevor’s drive in search of the perfect dress for a second date. And maybe some new lingerie. I didn’t plan on needing it anytime soon, but I’d felt more confident wearing the pretty bra-and-panties set Megan had talked me into last night.

Malibu Country Mart was on my way home from Manhattan Beach, making it the perfect place to stop. There were several boutiques there with lots of date-night dress options. And the complex right next door had a lingerie shop.

I wandered through two stores before I spotted a forest-green dress in the third that made me stop. The material was soft, with a neckline that dipped just low enough and a skirt that moved when I turned.

“Yes,” I whispered, heading into the fitting room.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew I’d found the perfect option. After twirling around a few times to enjoy the flare of the skirt, I took a photo and sent it to Megan.

If you veto this, I’ll be forced to overrule.

Her reply came before I finished unzipping.