Chapter Fifteen #2
I could take them off and snap a few sexy pictures, but one, the light inside changing rooms was always, always awful.
I looked like I had 3,000 percent more cellulite than I did in normal lighting.
I never understood why they chose to put harsh light from above in changing rooms. It was depressing.
And two, I did need the tights for when I tried on the dresses so I could make sure you couldn't make out the elastic waistband. Sometimes the sweaterdresses were so thin that you could see it.
Cindy gave me five to choose from.
"You're so bad. Now I want all of them," I said. They were all rather similar, cut tight over the waist, where I was smallest, and then coming down in an A-line that molded to my body.
"I'd planned to message you one of these days to tell you we got sweaterdresses because I know how much you love them."
I tried them all on, snapping pictures of them, but I didn't send them to Cade right away.
I might have agreed to send him pictures, but I was going to do it on my terms—namely sending them all at once, after I was out of the changing room.
Otherwise, I suspected he might try to convince me to send him naked pictures too.
"They're all very tempting, but I'm going to stick with only two of them: the pink and the black ones," I said loudly while I changed into my own clothes.
"Great choices. I can text you when the others go on sale. Fingers crossed that we'll still have your size."
"Thanks, Cindy. I really appreciate it."
I came out, handing her the dresses I planned to buy. I appreciated that they never tried to be pushy.
My phone vibrated.
Cade: Meredith, pictures.
My body tensed. I could almost hear him say it in that rough bedroom voice he used when we were alone. I'd waited long enough, and I was out of the changing room, so I sent them.
He answered seconds later.
Cade: You look great in all of them, babe. Now, take them off, and send me a picture of your beautiful body.
Again, I imagined him saying the words, and his bedroom voice was so effective that I even contemplated finding an excuse to go back into the changing room and actually send him a naked pic.
Resist the temptation, Meredith. Resist the temptation. You're in public.
"Are you okay? You seem a bit flushed. Is the heat too much? Or did you get warm trying on all the clothes?" Cindy asked as she folded the dresses.
"Just a little warm," I said. Because a shameless man sent me a shameless text.
I replied right away.
Meredith: I'm out of the changing room already.
I sent him a wink too. Let him do whatever he wanted with that.
As I took out my card to swipe, I noticed a new collection of beanies and scarves.
"Oh my God, Mom and sis would love these," I said, grabbing the two white matching beanies. They both always complained that their heads froze in winter but insisted that most beanies were unflattering. These were great. "I'll buy two of those too."
The price was decent. One of the reasons I loved having a good-paying job was because I could spoil my family, and they deserved it 100 percent.
I left the store a couple minutes later, trying to decide what to buy for Abe and Jeannie. I strolled down the street, but nothing in the window displays inspired me.
Cindy was right. The stores were already putting out Christmas collections. I could definitely buy them something Christmas related.
That was how I found my way into my second-favorite store in the area.
It was a pop-up set up during November and December only.
They sold handmade glass globes that were downright exquisite.
I sighed as I looked over the display. This place made my heart happy and was full to the brim with customers.
It was two floors and had a cute spiral staircase running upstairs.
Most of the time, this place was leased by a company selling bath and body products.
I preferred the Christmas shop because the smell of the other one was overpowering whenever I passed through the rest of the year.
My eye caught on a gorgeous globe with an angel painted on it. It was huge, with its wings wide open. The halo above its head was particularly beautiful—a light yellow gold. It stole my heart.
I didn't even have to check with Cade. I was sure Jeannie and Abe would appreciate it. It was the type of gift anyone could like. Even if you didn't have a tree, you could still use it as a decoration piece in the house. On instinct, I bought it without giving myself time to reconsider.
Five minutes later, I walked out, super proud that I hadn't bought any trinkets for myself.
Cal texted me his location, and I quickly walked there. I'd bought gifts for Jeannie and Abe, Mom, and my sister. Everything was right in the world.
I stopped and bought an alcohol-free punch for Cal on the way back to the car. I knocked at the window, not wanting to startle him.
He immediately rolled it down. "Miss, do you need my help?"
"No, no. Just open the trunk. Here, this is for you." I handed him the punch.
"Oh, thank you. That's very kind of you."
"I thought you might need something warm. Actually, don't even open the trunk. I just have these two bags, and they're not big."
"As you wish, ma'am."
As I slipped inside, he asked, "Where are we going?"
"Home."
I gave him my address, then leaned back in my seat. I checked my phone as Cal drove. I had a message from Cade.
Cade: Still waiting for that naked picture. When are you getting home?
I burst out laughing. Cal looked at me in the rearview mirror. I smiled sheepishly. "I'm good. I'm good." My voice sounded a bit rough. I’d blame it on Cade.
Meredith: You're going to have to do a lot more to get a naked pic from me.
Let’s see what he’ll do with that.
I felt hot from the tips of my toes to the apex between my thighs when his reply came only a few moments later.
Cade: Oh, I will. I’m going to romance you a bit more before asking you to take off your clothes :-)
I couldn’t believe he’d actually typed that. I pressed the phone to my chest, smiling from ear to ear, fighting yet another unladylike snort.
Goodness, the things this man did to me.
I really liked them.