Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
KIKI EMMERSON
I pick up a glass bowl and show it to Tobias as Hobby Lobby’s easy listening music plays in the background. “Do you think this is a good size?”
He studies it a moment. “I think it’s too large. What do you think of these?” He picks up a tall glass cylinder vase.
“Ooh, I like that better.” I grab several of them. “And I can get some ribbon to put bows on them.” I start to get excited about how these will look. We walk around the craft store, picking out the things that I need in order to make the centerpieces.
I’m enjoying my time with Tobias even though I shouldn’t. He’s loosened up so much since I first met him. Dare I say he’s almost got a sense of humor now? And he’s sweet. He opened my car door for me, and I felt like a queen.
I push the cart down the aisle with the twinkle lights. I look at the selection, and spot some cute ones shaped like seashells and starfish. Perfect. I reach up to grab them, but they’re too high for me to get. I stand on my tip toes, my fingers brushing the bottom of the package. Tobias comes up behind me, pressing into me, and effortlessly takes the package down.
I turn to him, my heart racing. He’s standing much too close to me, yet neither of us move. I can smell his cologne mixed with the fabric softener he uses, and it makes it hard for me think straight. Why did I tell him I can’t kiss him? He looks divine in those jeans paired with his white dress shirt. I want him to roll up his sleeves like he did yesterday. I want to run my fingers over his forearms…
“Is this what you wanted?” He holds out the package of lights.
“No.” I want him to step closer. I want him to take me into his arms and hold me. I want his lips on mine.
Tobias looks at me funny, and I scramble to say something intelligent. “I mean, yes.” I grab the lights and toss them into the cart. They’re the battery-operated kind, so I can string them up without worrying about plugs. “Can you grab about seven more packages?”
“Yes ma’am.” He pulls them down, and I have to fan myself a few times to get myself under control. Why does him calling me ma’am in that southern drawl make me want to melt to the floor? Every time he says it, I swear my ovaries swoon.
I grab the cart and push it down the aisle. I need to get myself under control before I totally ruin everything. I already kissed the stuffing out of him, and then took it back . I can’t lose myself again or there’s no turning back.
We finish buying all the decorations for the gallery, and Tobias puts them into the trunk of the car. He opens my door for me, which makes my heart flutter, and I slide into the passenger seat. Tobias gets in, and fiddles with his seatbelt. He seems nervous. “We have time before dinner. Do you mind going shopping with me?”
“Sure.” I’m confused as to why he’d be nervous about that, but when he pulls up to the mall I grow suspicious. “What do you need to buy?”
He clears his throat. “I thought…since we’re on the mainland…maybe we could shop for something you can wear to the festival. You know, you’ll be meeting those famous people. I assume women like to buy new clothes for occasions like that.”
My chest tightens and I’m so touched I can’t think of anything to say. “For me?”
“Well, yes.” His ears turn red. “If, of course, that’s okay with you.”
My heart melts and I blink back the moisture thats gathering in my eyes. He’s so sweet to think about that. “I’d love it.”
He exhales. “Okay. Let’s go in.”
He leads me to a clothing shop, and I grin as I look at all the beautiful dresses. I’m usually a jeans and t-shirt gal, but I would love to wear something nicer for the festival. I’m sure all the southern ladies will be wearing fancy dresses, and I’d love to fit in for once.
I pick out a cute white dress with yellow sunflowers dotting it. I could picture Savannah wearing something similar. “This is adorable.”
“Try it on.”
I flip over the tag, and about swallow my tongue. The dress is $899. “Maybe not.” I put it back.
Tobias takes it off the rack and looks at the tag. “It’s okay.” He tries to give it to me, but I back away.
“It’s almost a thousand dollars,” I hiss at him. “We should probably go somewhere else.”
He frowns at me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Kat, I said I wanted to take you shopping. If you like the dress, try it on.”
I do love the dress, but I can’t let him pay that much for one piece of clothing. Especially since I will be leaving soon. “It’s too much.”
Tobias’s features soften, and he lowers his voice, coming close to speak in my ear. “I really want to do this for you. Will you let me?”
He sounds sincere, but I still feel bad. “Are you sure?”
He smiles, and his one dimple shows. “Quite.”
I take the dress and go into the changing room. My fingers tremble as I climb into the dress and zip up the back. Nine hundred dollars for one dress. Never in my life have I ever imagined I would wear something so expensive. I want to tell Tobias it doesn’t fit, that it’s all wrong for me, but as I smooth down the fabric I fall instantly in love with it. It’s soft and flatters my figure. It makes my legs look longer, and the skirt swishes in just the right way. I adore it.
I walk out of the changing room and Tobias waits there, two other dresses in his hands. He motions for me to turn around, and I oblige. “Do you like it?”
I try not to smile, but it sneaks out anyway. “I love it.”
“Great. Why don’t you try these others on too.” He hands them to me. One is a gorgeous shade of light purple, and the other is a pale pink with white dots and would look great paired with cute sandals. I take them, feeling like a princess. I try on both of the new dresses and show Tobias each of them.
“Did you like all of them?” he asks.
“Well, yes, but you can’t get them all.” I laugh at the thought.
He just smiles, then grabs a stack of tops. “Try these on now.”
“Tobias—”
“Don’t argue with me.” He gently guides me back into the changing area. “Will you just let me do this for you?”
I don’t know what to say. Before I know it, we’re walking out of the store with a whole new wardrobe for me, complete with new shoes and accessories. The only thing he didn’t buy me is new underwear, probably because it would have been awkward for both of us.
I’ve never felt so pampered in my life. Tobias drives back to Willow Shade and pulls up in front of a restaurant called Sand and Sea. It’s a cute mom and pop seafood place. He opens my door for me again. Why does that make my heart stutter?
The hostess seats us by a large window facing the ocean. The sun is setting and the brilliant colors across the sky look more like a painting than real life. I stare out of the window my heart in my throat. If I wasn’t lying about who I am, this would be a romantic evening with a man I’m quickly falling for. A man who has told me he has feelings for me. This could be the start of something good. Guilt rises in my chest, and I look to my lap. What am I even doing here?