Chapter 24
Sierra
“I can’t decide which one I like more,” I told Reese as we stood in the department store in Billings, looking at three dresses.
Asher and I were leaving for Texas in the morning, and I really wanted a nice dress.
He’d already told me we were having a nice dinner in Austin, and I didn’t want to wear the one old dress that I owned.
It was more of a casual summer dress, and Asher had seen it way too many times during the wedding festivities.
I had a little extra money that I was planning on sending to my mom.
I wasn’t going to be paying rent because Asher wouldn’t allow it, and I was getting a lot of projects.
Yeah, I knew that Asher was going to be paying for a lot of repairs on my mother’s house, but I still wanted to do what I could for her.
If I was lucky, it wouldn’t be long before I was making the money I’d been making before my career had halted three years ago.
Those paychecks had paid all of the bills, because Jordan had never been able to maintain a job.
And we’d lived in Houston, which was more expensive than Billings.
I’d texted Reese and asked her if she wanted to shop after she finished in her office in Billings.
She’d had a short day, so she’d left work early so we could hit some stores.
I’d really needed help because I’d had no idea where to get nice clothing here.
Asher had things to do for his meeting in Austin, so he hadn’t minded at all that I’d left without him.
He’d handed me his credit card and told me to buy anything I wanted or needed.
I’d balked, but he’d insisted, so I’d just taken the card even though I didn’t plan on using it.
“Get all of them,” Reese encouraged.
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I really can’t afford to do that.
This is so hard because I want to look nice when I’m with Asher, but I don’t have a lot of clothes.
He’s taking me out to dinner in Austin, and I know it’s going to be a nice place.
I have clothing for my basic life needs, but I don’t have clothes to be dating a billionaire.
These are quality dresses, but they aren’t cheap. ”
Reese had brought me to a nice department store, so the clothing was more than I usually paid for dresses.
They were all more than worth the money, but my bank account wasn’t quite up to department store prices yet.
“They’re all sexy,” Reese said as she put her hands on her hips. “Sierra, you’re never going to convince me that you’re shopping and Asher didn’t give you a card to pay for everything you want or need. He’s a Remington. They like to buy things for their women.”
I sighed. “He did. I’m sure it has some unreal credit limit, but I can’t spend his money, Reese.”
“Oh, yes, you can,” she informed me. “Do you want to make Asher happy?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Then spent his money,” she advised. “Maybe you haven’t figured this out yet, but the Remingtons love to take care of their women. Knowing they can provide you with things you want and need makes them happy. If you get a new wardrobe, he’d be ecstatic. Seriously.”
I eyed her dubiously. “Do you really think it makes him that happy? I know he wants to give me things.”
She nodded. “I know it feels weird to get a ton of gifts, but our men are billionaires, with an endless amount of funds. They don’t have to consider a budget like most normal people.
It makes them feel good to provide. It isn’t just for their women, either.
They’re generous with everyone they know.
I’m sure Asher is involved in a lot of the same projects, fundraisers, and charities as the rest of the guys.
They give because they can. It’s part of their nature. ”
“Do you think it hurts his feelings when I refuse something?” I asked curiously.
Honestly, that thought had never crossed my mind.
When it came to money, Asher and I had such different experiences.
Reese shrugged. “I’m sure it doesn’t make him happy, but I think he probably understands that you’ve spent your life on a budget.
I know I did, and it took me a while to stop fighting Devon about money.
It’s hard to let go of old habits. Let him do some things for you, Sierra.
You wouldn’t need the dresses if you weren’t dating him.
Let him pay for nice clothing. It will put a smile on his face and the money means nothing to him. ”
I was really torn.
I wanted to go to nice places with him, but I couldn’t do it in the clothing I had now.
I let out a deep breath. “I guess I could let him buy a few things. I don’t have anything to wear on our trip and I just can’t afford these dresses yet.”
Reese rolled her eyes and took out her phone.
“Asher?” she said a moment later as she FaceTimed him. “Hey, Sierra wants some dresses. Can she use your card?”
“She’s actually going to use my card?” he said in a hopeful voice.
“She’s considering it,” Reese answered. “She wants to look nice on your trip.”
“I want her to use my damn card. That’s why I gave it to her. She can buy anything she wants.”
Reese winked at me and turned her phone around.
Asher was grinning like a man who’d been given a special gift.
Oh, God. She was right. He looked downright ecstatic.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said huskily.
“You’re amazing,” I said with awe in my voice.
He shrugged. “It’s just clothes.”
“Having something nice to wear means a lot to me,” I told him.
He grinned wider, and my heart somersaulted inside my chest.
“Okay, okay,” Reese said as she turned the phone around. “We’re going to go spend your money now, Asher. I’ll bring her home when we’re done here.”
Asher actually chuckled. “Have a good time.”
Reese smiled as she disconnected the call. “I know, it’s odd, but he’s going to be thrilled if you bring home a bunch of stuff.”
Strangely, I now believed that he really would be happy. But I didn’t plan on taking complete advantage of his generosity.
“Two dresses,” I bargained. “And maybe something other than jeans to wear. I’m sure we’ll end up going out when we’re in Houston.”
Reese pointed to two dresses. “Those two are the sexiest.”
I scooped them up.
“I think I’ll go look at the lingerie,” Reese contemplated. “Are you up for that?”
It would be hard to explain exactly why I didn’t really need them.
How did one explain that they only had sex in the dark?
“Sure,” I said offhandedly. “I think I’d really like to tell you why I’m so broke, if you’re up to listening.”
After sharing with Asher, I knew it was time to talk about my past with people I trusted, and I trusted Reese.
It was time for me to share my story with people I could finally let in.
She had filled me in on her past. The woman had been through hell, and she’d shared it all with me earlier.
Maybe that had prompted me to want to share my story with her.
Reese sat on a padded bench and pulled me down next to her. “Tell me,” she encouraged.
I gave her the abbreviated version of what had happened to me.
My marriage.
The death of my child and the ordeal I’d been through.
My PTSD.
I didn’t go into detail, but I left nothing out.
We were both crying by the time I’d finished.
“Oh, Sierra,” she said tearfully as she squeezed my hand. “How are you still sane?”
“The same way you are,” I told her. Her own story had been heartbreakingly difficult, so I knew that she understood. “We survive because we have no choice. I’m fine, Reese. The past is in the past. Asher makes me incredibly happy, happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”
She swiped a tear from her face. “I think that’s the payoff. Devon is everything to me. Asher is crazy about you, Sierra. I think he’s going to be your everything, too. God knows you deserve your happily ever after.”
“I made some bad choices,” I said. “I should have left Jordan. I never should have stayed for so many years.”
“He was gaslighting you,” she said, jumping to my defense. “You’re human, Sierra. Nothing you did was your fault.”
I sent her a small smile. “I think I’m finally learning to give myself a break. It helps to talk about it sometimes, but it’s still painful.”
She nodded. “I understand. I feel humbled that you decided to share with me.”
“You know that Asher and I are together. I want you to know why I’m struggling. I’d never take advantage of him. He means too much to me.”
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation,” she scolded.
“And I already know that you’re in love with Asher and that you’d never hurt him.
I recognize those adoring looks because I’ve seen them on my face.
I think you worry far too much about taking advantage of him.
He wants to make your life easier. Let him.
You’ve helped him, too, Sierra, and in ways that are far more valuable than money. ”
I hurriedly swiped my tears off my face. “I’m going to spend a little of his money.”
She smiled. “Let’s go do it. How do you feel about stopping at the salon? I could use a haircut.”
A haircut?
God, it had been so long since I’d gotten a haircut or done my nails.
I nodded enthusiastically.
Maybe I could do a few things.
I could always pay Asher back.
It might be tight now, but better times were coming for me.
I just needed to get paid for all of the projects I’d already turned in.
The two of us hightailed it to the lingerie so we could make it to the salon.
I got home later than I’d planned that night, but I made Asher outrageously happy.