“Not long.” He’s laughing. “You need some help with those?”
“No.” I look down at the five bras in my hand. “I mean, maybe. I couldn’t decide which one. Do you have a preference?”
“The black one with the lace.”
I yank him into my room and shut the door. “Would you please tell me where we’re going? Your clues have been completely useless.”
“That was the point. I didn’t want you guessing.” He glances at the roses. “Do you like the flowers?”
“I love the flowers. It’s the first time anyone’s ever given me flowers.”
He thinks for a moment, then says, “What the hell is wrong with me? Why have I never given you flowers before? I should’ve been sending you flowers every week.” He shakes his head. “I’m a terrible boyfriend.”
“You’re the best boyfriend ever. Flowers or no flowers.” I wrap my arms around him, breathing him in. He smells like he just showered and put on the great cologne I love. “We better get out of here before I attack you.”
“You can attack me. I’m not in any rush.” He gives me a slow, deep kiss he knows will lead somewhere.
“You said to be ready at 4 and it’s almost 4 now.” I kiss him back, not really caring about the time. He feels good. He smells good. We can be late to wherever it is we’re going.
He lets me go. “You’re right. We should get on the road.”
“Hey! I was enjoying that!”
He smiles. “There’s a lot more where that came from. Trust me. We have all weekend.”
“Are we going to a fancy hotel?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Now come on. Get packed.” He starts going through my drawers. “On second thought, let me pack for you.” He tosses a couple of the t-shirts Harper gave me into my suitcase along with the dark red cashmere sweater his parents (or really he) gave me for Christmas.
“Garret, I can pack my own suitcase.”
“You’re taking too long. Plus I’m banning the black and white thing this weekend. It’s an all-color weekend.”
“Last I checked black and white were both considered colors.”
“Yes, but I’d like to see you in something other than the same two colors.”
“Fine. Just don’t make me wear pink.”
He stops for a moment. “That’s a problem. I might’ve gotten you something pink.”
“What did you get me? Did you buy me clothes again? I asked you to tell me first, remember?”
His eyebrows raise. “Not for certain types of clothing.”
Lingerie. I guess that makes sense. ItisValentine’s Day after all.
“Okay. What else do I need?”
“A dress for dinner.” He takes two dresses from my closet; the black one he gave me at New Year’s and the red one that Katherine gave me to wear for Christmas. “Which one?”
“You just said I couldn’t wear black.”
He laughs. “That’s true. I did. Well, since you don’t have many dresses I’ll have to make an exception. Do you want to bring the black one?”
“I don’t know. The red one is more appropriate for Valentine’s Day, but it reminds me of Katherine.”
“Jade, I got you that dress. Katherine just said it was from her because I knew you’d get mad if I told youIbought it.”
