Page 36 of Possessing Paisley
“You absolutely have to get that dress for the party,” Chloe says, tipping her champagne glass toward me.
I thought we were going to go shopping at the mall, but we’re at a shopping plaza I’ve never even seen before. All the stores are high-end with price tags to match. I’ve never been to a store that serves cocktails while you shop. I can see why Cali and Scarlet chose this place.
“Really? It’s not black, though. Do you think they have it in black?” I glance down at the silk dress, and then scan the store for the same one in my favorite color.
“We don’t carry it in other colors, dear. That’s the only one. It’s a designer line. With how it fits you and how stunning it looks against your shiny black hair, it’s one of those meant-to-be things.” The older woman who’s been helping us smiles and nods before she walks away to do whatever it is she does every time she disappears. She pops up like a fairy godmother whenever one of us needs something, and thenpoof, she’s gone.
Cali and Chloe have already found their dresses. I have a feeling Bash is going to go all possessive caveman when he sees Chloe in hers. Talk about sexy.
“You guys all think I should go with this one?” I glance down at the price tag and wince.
Maybe I should have accepted that shiny black card from Kieran. My savings account is definitely going to take a hit with this. I don’t want his money, though. And I meant it when I said it was important to me to buy my own outfit for the party. But also, I don’t want to get used to him taking care of me. It would be so easy to do. Every time he does something sweet or kind, I feel special. But the thing about feeling special to someone is that it’s addicting. Eventually, this will end between us, and I’ll be reliant on myself like I’ve always been. I had a hard enough time accepting the help that Bash and Chloe offered. Bash didn’t give me much choice when he went behind my back and paid off all my student loans. He’s a sneaky bastard with a good heart.
“That dress was made for you,” Scarlet says when she walks out of the dressing room in a hideous frilly thing that looks like a bath poof.
We all go silent as we stare at it.
“It’s, um,” I murmur. “Well, it’s something.”
Cali brings her hand up to cover her mouth while Chloe starts coughing.
“It’s hideous. Who picked this out?” Scarlet says.
I snort and point toward Cali. “Your sister.”
Scarlet glares at her as Cali bursts out laughing, doubling over and holding her stomach. “Sorry! I saw it and had to have one of you try it on.”
We dissolve into giggles with her. Maybe we’ve had a little too much to drink, but I’m having so much fun with these women. They make me feel like I’ve always belonged with them. Like I’m part of their family with no questions asked. It makes my heart squeeze every time I think about it. In my whole life, I’ve only had one person who has actually loved me, and that’s Chloe. Now, it feels like I have two more.
It takes several minutes before we’re able to get our laughter under control, and Scarlet decides she’s going with the dress she tried on before the hideous one.
“Okay. I’ll get this one,” I announce before I go back into the dressing room.
Chloe squeals. “Kieran is going to die when he sees you.”
“Did you see the vein in his neck earlier when she wouldn’t take his credit card? I thought it was going to explode for sure,” Cali says.
I smile at the memory as I step out of the dress. He was a little upset, but the fact that he backed down when I explained why it was important to me meant a lot. It showed a softer side to him that he doesn’t let show very often.
Once I’m dressed in my black skinny jeans and worn black band T-shirt again, I slip on my checkered Vans and grab my purse. I check my phone, and my heart starts racing.
Kieran: I already know you’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the party, and I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing.
My smile turns into a wide grin as I type a response.
Paisley: Aren’t you supposed to be working?
Kieran: How can I work when all I can think about is you?
Paisley: Who knew you were a sweet talker?
Kieran: You’re staying at my place again tonight.
Rolling my eyes, I slide my phone into my back pocket and meet the girls at the cash register where I take several deep breaths before I hand over my credit card.
My phone vibrates as we walk out to the waiting SUV. Declan must have known we would be drinking because he insisted we have a driver for the day. Once I’m buckled in, I open the waiting message.
Kieran: Paisley. Daddy expects a response when I message you. Especially since it shows me you read it. That’s a rule.