Page 31 of Unforgettable
14
Rose
Hours later,my feet are sore, and I’ve got at least a dozen bags full of clothes, makeup, and lingerie that, despite my protests, Hannah assured me I needed. I learned quickly that it was easier to just go with the flow instead of arguing. Hannah could out stubborn a mule. Plus, anytime I put up a fuss, she’d use Slade as a tie-breaker, and Slade always picked Hannah’s side.
“Why do you always pick Hannah’s side?” I ask Slade after he once again tells the sales lady we will take yet another dress.
Slade pins me to the spot with his dark gaze. “Just following the bosses orders.”
“And what exactly did the boss say?”
Slade’s lips quirk up slightly. “If she likes it, she gets it.”
I let out a frustrated breath. “That’s just ridiculous! Just because I think something is pretty doesn’t mean I need or want it.”
He just shrugs, and Hannah giggles.
I am much more cautious with what I show interest in for the rest of the afternoon. Finally, Hannah seems satisfied that I’ve got everything I need. Honestly, I have enough stuff for three people. Who needs five pairs of shoes? Or ten dresses? Not to mention the twenty bra and panty sets she insisted I get. I’m just one person.
We are heading toward the food court and frozen lemonade and soft pretzel when Hannah steers us toward another shop. I try to dig in my heels, but she points at a beautiful black dress in the window, and I stop fighting her.
“It’s perfect for your dinner date tonight.”
“Hannah, I already have a bunch of dresses to choose from…”
“Yeah, but every woman needs a little black dress.” She gives me a bright smile. “Last one, I promise.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. “That’s what you said last time with the shoes.”
She pouts. “You have to admit those silver heels were worth every dollar.”
She’s not wrong. “Yeah, and I’ll probably break my neck when I try to walk in them.”
Hannah rolls her eyes. “I’ll teach you how to walk, run, and kneel in heels. Heck, I’ll even show you how to clean toilets and mop the floors in heels. You’ll be living in them by the time I’m done with you.”
I shake my head. “I doubt that. I’m more of a flats kind of girl.”
“We’ll see,” she says cryptically.
A few minutes later, I’m admiring myself in the black dress. It’s really gorgeous. It’s fitted around the bodice and is cut in a way that somehow makes it look like I have cleavage to spare. The hem hits me just above the knee. Hannah hands me the silver heels. I don’t bother arguing as I put them on.
It looks like my legs go on for miles. I no longer feel short and frumpy. In this dress, I look like a vixen. It clings to my body like a second skin. All of my new clothes fit perfectly, but this dress gives me curves I didn’t even know I had. Even I can admit, I look hot.
Except…
“Hannah, I don’t know about this…” I turn so I can see the low-cut back of the dress. The back is completely open all the way down to just above my butt.
“What’s not to know? You’re a fucking knockout in that dress!”
“But my back…” I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from the angry red lines that crisscross my pale skin. This is the first time I’ve seen the marks. Obviously, I could feel how bad they were, but seeing them for the first time was shocking.
“Don’t be silly. You look amazing. Matthew will swallow his own tongue when he sees you in this dress. Besides, you’re eating at his restaurant, which is attached to Black Rose. A few lash marks won’t be the strangest thing on display, I’m sure.”
I chew on my lip as I consider her words. “If you’re sure.”
Hannah gets that Cheshire Cat grin again, the one that says she knows she’s won. “I’m positive.”
I change out of the dress and dutifully hand it to Slade, who doesn’t bat an eye at the nine-hundred-dollar price tag. It makes me nauseous to think about the ridiculous amount of Matthew’s money I’ve spent today. I try not to dwell on it as we finally make our way to the food court. My stomach growls hungrily at the delicious scents.