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When I reached him, he said, “That was some kiss.”
“I know, right?”
“Uh-huh. Wanna do it again? I think you sort of owe me for getting me fired up this morning and then leaving me high and dry.”
“Is that how it works?”
“Yup. Hop on board, baby.”
That’s all the inviting I needed. He toted me upstairs and I spent the next hour up there paying him back for his morning woes.
* * *
The next day, we went out for breakfast and then Pearce took me shopping like I’ve never been shopping before. He took me up and down King Street and God only knows how much money the man dropped.
I ended up getting a gorgeous gold evening gown that had an illusion of being sheer but was actually very modest. It had a plunging neckline and deep V in the back, but both were created with illusion fabric that was stretchy and comfortable. It was eye-stopping. The salesclerk told me immediately that it was the one, but it was Pearce’s expression that convinced me. He gaped at me.
We left there and went to several shoe stores where he bought me a pair for the ball and then a new pair of boots and pair of black shoes for work and a casual pair for anytime. Then it was jeans time. He must’ve dropped over six hundred dollars alone on three pairs of jeans.
I don’t know which one of us had more fun. He kept making me try things on. We made several trips to the car because we couldn’t carry everything. I tried to get him to stop, but he adamantly refused. I felt like a kid. No one had ever done anything like this for me, and I don’t mean spending an absurd amount of money. My mom only took me shopping every once in a blue moon, and it was only for the barest of necessities. This was fun!
Late in the afternoon, we were walking hand in hand down the street when he wheeled me into a store. I hadn’t been paying attention to where we were going until we got inside. It was a jewelry store.
I looked at him with narrowed eyes and he said, “Don’t worry, it’s not what you think.”
There was the smallest part of me that was a bit disappointed. I would never have told him that though.
“You need jewelry for the ball, sweetheart.”
“My dress has so much gold on it I don’t think I need a necklace.”
“I agree. No necklace. But earrings. Plain. Understated. And a bracelet. Gold obviously.”
I couldn’t argue with that. The man obviously knew style.
“May I help you?” the salesclerk asked.
“Yes. I’d like to see some diamond earrings, please.”
“Certainly. What cut and size, sir?”
“Round, and at least a carat.”
“Pearce!” I exclaimed.
He looked at me and said, “Shh. Indulge me, Alexia.”
I took a seat as he looked over the selection and haggled and finally decided on a lovely pair of two-carat diamond earrings. Then he wanted to look at diamond bracelets. The clerk, now knowing what his tastes and spending range was, brought out some exquisite pieces. I was past uncomfortable, and it had me squirming. He rifled through all the pieces and wasn’t satisfied with any of them. By this time, all the clerks were bringing things for him to look at. Large bracelets and small ones, everything you can imagine. He eventually chose one and we went in the back to draw up the legal papers on the purchase and the declaration of value for insurance purposes. I refused to look at the price because I knew if I did, I’d be afraid to wear the things. We finally left and I hung my head as we did.
We made our way back to the car in silence, and when we slipped inside, he reached over and said, “Talk to me. Now, Alexia.”
“That stuff in there isn’t me, Pearce.”
“The bracelet, the earrings, or both.”
“Both.”
“The earrings are lovely and will look beautiful on you. Please try them on before you judge them. The same with the bracelet.”
