“And you’re hiding behind that.” He turned, walking down the sidewalk again, taking her hand and leading her along. “So here’s my challenge for you. I’m daring you to wear something more interesting during the next few days. I want you to wear lingerie that makes you feel pretty. It doesn’t have to be anything risqué,” he added when she opened her mouth to argue. “Just something comfortable and pretty.”
She looked up at the name of the store he’d stopped in front of, her eyes widening with horror. “I’m not going in there.”
He rubbed his thumb over the pulse beating at her wrist. “Let me do this for you, Selena. Let me show you.”
She looked over his shoulder one more time, the pretty lingerie in the windows grabbing her attention.
Her hesitation was all he needed. “Come on,” he urged, leading her into the store.
“Nothing crazy,” she whispered to him, moving closer as she looked around at all of the lace and silk.
“Nothing crazy. Just something pretty.” Immediately, a salesperson walked up to them and smiled.
“How can I help you today?” she asked.
Selena liked this woman. She wasn’t making eyes at Reid, pretending she wasn’t here. She was older without a ton of makeup on, and she wasn’t painfully thin, making her feel fat by comparison. Flashbacks hit her, the memories sharp and painful. It took every ounce of her willpower not to turn and run out of the store.
But Reid had challenged her and she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.
She decided right then and there that she would simply pay for every item that Reid thought would work and then return it later. She’d just make sure that none of the tags were damaged in any way.
Reid took the salesperson to the side and explained in hushed tones what he wanted. Then he handed her a credit card. The woman nodded, taking the payment and both of them turned to face her.
“I’m leaving,” he announced. “This is Grace and she’s going to help you.” He took her hands and looked into her eyes. “She’ll guide you through this. Don’t worry. I’ll be outside and I won’t know anything that you’ve bought. Okay?”
Selena’s muscles were so tense, she thought that she might shatter.
“Got it,” she lied, her chin lifting ever so slightly. She wasn’t playing his game, she thought resentfully. He could tell her that this was all for her benefit as much as he wanted, but she knew the truth. She knew what a guy wanted…
He squeezed her hands slightly. “I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Take your time and I’ll be across the street when you’re finished.”
With that, he left, leaving here in the store to fend for herself.
Well, he could go to hell! She wasn’t playing his games! Not this time! Years ago, she’d been stupid and gullible! She was smarter and savvier now. She could…
“I know what you’re thinking,” the salesperson said, interrupting Selena’s mental tirade.
She turned to face the woman, thinking she looked kind enough. “I doubt it.”
Grace laughed. “I bet I do. I’ve been there myself. Which is one of the reasons I opened this shop.”
That got her attention. “What do you mean?”
Grace moved over to one of the walls and lifted up a beautiful lace and satin bra. It wasn’t indecent and the cups looked to be covered with a soft material. Nothing was see-through, but the lace would lay against her skin, softening the edges. Even the color, a delicate soft, off-white, wasn’t what she expected. “Why not try this on and let me know what you think?” She smiled when Selena opened her mouth. “You don’t have to buy anything. Nothing at all. I can even give you a bag filled with tissue paper to walk out of here with if you don’t find anything that you like. That way, your man won’t know.” Her grin widened. “It will be our secret.”
Selena’s tension lessened slightly, but she felt a thrill that the woman thought that she and Reid…! Another time, she told herself. Lifting her chin, she forced her lips to smile politely as she said, “I don’t need to trick him. If I don’t find anything I like, then I won’t buy anything.”