Chapter 17
Harmony
It takes about thirty minutes of arguing with Elias for him to allow me to visit with my family. Something finally clicked in his brain when I mentioned needing unmentionables. The image of his lips parting in surprise keeps me giggling.
After he almost kissed me at Cutesy’s, it felt good to see him uncomfortable. I’m not too proud to admit I was absolute putty in his hands. His strong arms wrapped around me felt familiar yet surprising at the same time. But it can never, ever happen again.
Shaking my head, I look over to Serenity. She tightens her grip on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. Although there isn’t much snow, she’s always afraid ice is hiding underneath.
I don’t blame her when black ice was the cause of her late husband’s death.
If only he’d taken his gambling debt with him.
After witnessing the incident—how I reference it in my mind now—I searched through Serenity’s house and found a few receipts as evidence.
Shoving that spineless man—full disrespect to the dead—out of my mind, I lean back.
I glance out the window, unable to stop my mind from wandering again.
If something happens while I’m out with Serenity and Summer, will Elias be close enough to intervene?
One glimpse in the rearview mirror makes my shoulders relax.
Elias’s Honda follows closely behind us.
Maybe I should’ve agreed to drive with him so if something does happen, my family will be safe.
Someone might already be here in town, watching me.
Perhaps they’re planning their attack, and I’m getting too comfortable.
I sigh. Spending some girl time with my family is a big, selfish mistake on my part.
“Are you ready?” Serenity’s gentle voice tears me from my thoughts.
I check the surrounding area. We are parked a few doors down from Cutesy’s in front of a dark brown, checkered brick storefront with a neon sign that reads, “Lana’s Boutique.”
Serenity turns to face me. “You remember Lana, right?”
I nod. Both Serenity and Lana are eight years older than I am. Lana had talked about opening a boutique all throughout my high school years. I’m proud of her for following through and making her dream come true.
“Auntie Lana!” Summer screams from the back seat. “She always gives me candy.”
Serenity and I burst out laughing.
I turn and look at my niece. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you even better candy.”
“No, no sugar rushes for Summer.”
Summer crosses her arms in a total Serenity signature move, and I smother a smile. “But Mommy!”
“No ‘but Mommy.’ Let’s head inside.” Serenity glances up at the sky. “The clouds are starting to look awfully dark.”
The moment the three of us are out of the Jeep, Elias is immediately on our heels, and Serenity hitches a thumb over her shoulder at him, but I ignore her. Even though we almost kissed, I appreciate the sense of safety he gives me.
Inside the small boutique, the bright magenta walls pull me from my thoughts. Every surface mirrors the same blinding color. Even the floors are a sparkly pink. Sitting on a table in the entryway are bright pink roses. Their scent is so strong I sneeze. And sneeze again.
A tissue is handed to me. Why do I feel like Elias just handed me the moon?
“Serenity!” Lana’s high-pitched voice carries through the small store. She hurries over to us and pulls my sister in for a quick three-person hug with Summer in the center. “I can’t believe you made it in today. I thought I wouldn’t see you again until our next girls’ night.”
Summer squirms in Serenity’s arms, so she places her daughter on her feet. “Harmony stole my winter boots, so I thought we could take a look around.”
I roll my eyes. “You said I could use them.”
Lana turns to me. Excitement lights up her face. “I can’t believe you grew up to be a movie star.”
This time, I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. First there were whispers all day at work yesterday and this morning, and now this. It’s a lot easier to ignore my customers since they aren’t talking to me and I was busy. But I can’t be rude to my sister’s best friend.
“Uhh.” I glance at Serenity for help, but she is already walking off toward the shoes, holding onto Summer’s hand. “I’m not a movie star, but thank you.”
“Of course. I loved Everlasting Love so much. The moment your sister told me that you were on TV, I found it right away. You were so gorgeous on every episode.”
My cheeks burn. If only she knew the danger that winning brought on me. “Thanks.”
There isn’t anything else I can say. Ignoring the threat, I didn’t enjoy my time on Everlasting Love, but it wasn’t all bad.
Some of the other women were really nice and genuine.
And then there was this one girl. She did things like hiding my shoes so that one day, I had to go on camera in my socks.
Worst of all, she took the dress I was to wear in the semifinals, and I barely made it on time.
Other than her, the lack of privacy and the executives overworking us were the two things I hated most.
“All of us here in Granite Falls watched it and rooted for you.” Lana leans in like she has a secret and whispers, “I knew you’d be chosen the whole time.”
All of them? Including Elias? Or just the women? I glance over my shoulder at the man in question. He’s examining a woman’s blouse like he’s actually interested in it. As if he isn’t listening when I can guarantee he is.
Turning back to Lana, I ask, “Do you have some sneakers with arch support? Imagine a pair your grandma would wear. I want those.”
If I’m going to be on my feet all day at Cutesy’s then I’ll need a good pair of shoes.
She nods in my sister’s direction. “I should have a couple of pairs like that over where Serenity is.”
After saying my thanks, I maneuver around a few racks that have a variety of cute tops and jeans and head over to where my sister sorts through shoes.
Some are boots—definitely not a winter pair—and some are strappy heels.
I’ll twist my ankle in them. I turn toward the tennis shoes and start my search.
Serenity wanders off toward the bra section. Hers are probably ten years old, so she needs a new one.
At the end of this row of shoes, I find a pair of black shoes with arch support, and the bottom are more slip resistant than most. I do a little victory dance and pick up the box.
My sister pops up beside me. “You need to get this bra. I haven’t had one this sexy since my honeymoon.”
I glance around our surroundings to make sure Elias isn’t nearby and whisper, “Put that away. Do you want me to die from embarrassment?”
“No, but you could wear it out. It might do you some good to go on a date. And then maybe you can get over Elias.”
“Seriously?” I signal for my sister to put down the bra.
Instead, she motions toward the changing rooms in the back corner of the store.
Both of us are glaring at each other. Something beyond Serenity’s shoulder catches my attention.
Elias choses that moment to watch us. His gaze goes from Serenity and the lacy bra to me.
Our eyes collide, and he gives a single nod of his head.
His eyes turn to molten lava as his gaze rakes down my curves.
I push my legs together as my body betrays me. A small smile tips his lips up.
He winks and then turns away, facing the door, as if he remembers that he’s my bodyguard and not my boyfriend.
Serenity finally lowers the bra—a little late—and shoots me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but it’s probably a good thing he heard. At least try it on. You never know when you might need it.”
I shake my head.“I can’t believe you.”
“What? You both needed the reminder.” She juts her chin in Elias’s direction. “Don’t think I’m oblivious when you aren’t even trying to hide the fact that you’re both eye fucking each other.”
Slapping my sister’s arm, I glance around our surroundings, and say, “Shhhhh!”
Elias isn’t within earshot anymore, but my sister’s voice practically echoes throughout the store. Shoving the bra away, I whisper, “I’m not checking him out, and I’m not going on a date. I just need a regular bra. Now, please don’t make me try this on.”
“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.” Serenity grabs a stiletto box from under her arm. “Try these on then.”
If it will make her happy and forget about the bra, I’ll happily try them on. I slip the stilettos onto my feet. High heels and I don’t often agree, but it’s too late now. I try to walk in as straight a line as I can, but my legs wobble and are awkward without a huge wedding gown covering them.
I take a few more steps, and my right ankle gives out. I fall, seemingly in slow motion. Elias bolts across the small store. His strong arms catch me before my face smacks the hard floor.
He looks down at me, his chest heaving against me.
My heart thumps. His scent—pine trees with a hint of coffee—wafts in my nose, and I almost crumble.
Does it make me a horrible person to wish he’ll finish what we started yesterday?
Something unreadable flashes in his dark eyes before he releases me.
Is it … regret? A sudden coldness seeps in where his warmth had just been.
For a moment, it was almost like a missing puzzle piece found its way back to me.
This is why I pulled back yesterday. It’s too easy to fall into him, and now he’s rejecting me. Stumbling back a step, I steady myself.
A real smile tips his lips up. “Do you remember the first time you wore heels?”
I roll my eyes but can’t resist grinning back. My raging heart still pounds wildly, but I ignore that traitorous organ. “Already bringing up another embarrassing moment, huh?”
He raises his hands in front of him. “Hey, I did what I could to prevent your fall, but we were lucky you were on the bottom step of your sister’s staircase or else we would have ended up at the ER and not prom.”