“Glad you have your running shoes on, Rosalind, this could be a whirlwind shop.”
I threw back the last of my drink and tossed it into the garbage. “Those are my specialty.”
We walked through the front doors of the mall, the air conditioning flowing over my skin, giving me goosebumps. It was a warm day. At least that was what Charlotte and Derek said. Compared to Vegas, it was damp and cold.
I should pick up some warmer clothes while we are here.
“I have to talk to someone here about my wedding registry if you want to shop,” Charlotte said. I nodded and glanced around, looking for the ladies’ section. Before I found it, my eyes caught on a huge bin of discounted throw pillows. They had everything from blank white inserts to lush fabrics in rich colours. Beyond that was a display of clearance curtains, and I could see a hodgepodge of furniture against the back wall. If I wanted to turn the spare room into my boudoir photo studio, this was a great place to start.
Before I let myself get too excited, I paused to look at the price tags. This was something I had rarely done in my life, but I would have to get used to it. I had some money of my own. I’d been paid to attend parties or events by different brands. Mostly, my parents didn’t allow me to do that for fear of muddying their own brand. If I really did pursue photography and my parents really did follow through on their threat, I’d need every penny I had to get things off the ground. The more time I spent with Derek, the more I knew he’d do anything for me. But if I were going to change my life, it wasn’t to become a kept woman. I had a dream to pursue, and one of the first things a business needed was a budget.
The items were a good deal, even more so when I remembered the price was in Canadian dollars.
I grabbed a shopping cart and started filling it.
“Please tell me you didn’t pick these for my wedding.” Charlotte appeared by my side and picked up a purple velvet throw pillow between her thumb and forefinger.
I laughed. “Oh, come on, nothing says spring wedding like gold tassels.”
She shuddered.
I filled her in on my vague photography plans as we scoured the store. She was there for candles and accessories for the wedding. I filled my cart with odds and ends to use as photo props.
By the time we got back to the truck, we both had sore feet, and the back of the truck was stuffed full of bags.
“Anything else on your list?”
Charlotte slumped in her seat and turned the key in the ignition. “Nick hinted at getting me a wedding gift. I didn’t know that couples got gifts for each other. I thought I was the gift, but I’ll feel like an ass if I don’t get him something. But seriously, what do you buy a man as a gift? A fishing magazine and a bag of beef jerky?”
I laughed, thinking of my own father in his business suits and Rolex opening a gift of dried meat. Then an idea hit me. “Holy shit, I know what you should get him.”
Chapter 15
Derek
It was past time I got back to work, but if I thought I could get a day’s work done with no one interrupting to ask questions, I was wrong. It wasn’t every day your boss went on a weekend trip and came back married to a famous socialite. Finally, I’d had to put earplugs in and lock my office door. It took a few days for me to get caught up, but by Wednesday, I was feeling like life was getting back to normal.
Or a new normal.
At the end of each day, I couldn’t wait to get home to my wife. She hadn’t turned her phone back on, so I hadn’t been able to text her. Now that I think about it, I didn’t even have her phone number.
I got home to see Charlotte’s truck in the driveway, and I had mixed feelings. Rosalind had been helping Charlotte with her wedding to-do list this week. I was glad the two could bond. On the other hand, I wanted Rosalind all to myself.
I jumped down from my truck and started digging around my back seat for my lunch kit and jacket. Before I could find them, my sprinkler spontaneously turned on and proceeded to soak the lawn, sidewalk, and me. The water was ice cold against my back, and I let out a very not-masculine yelp.
Fuck.
I’d forgotten about Charlotte’s boobie trap to keep the paparazzi at bay. I bolted for the front door, fumbling with my keys until I was inside and dripping on my hardwood floors.
Two sets of eyes swiveled to me from the couch in the front room.
“Welcome home, big brother,” Charlotte said, rolling her lips under.
I turned my head towards her, water spraying from my hair. “Why are you here?”
She stuck out her tongue. “I guess that’s my cue to go. Thanks for your help again, Rosalind. Don’t forget to email me those pictures.”
Charlotte slipped past me and out the door before I could say anything more, and my chest loosened to be alone with my wife, even if I was soaking wet.
