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Tobias takes it off the rack and looks at the tag. “It’s okay.” He tries to give it to me, but I back away.

“It’s almost a thousand dollars,” I hiss at him. “We should probably go somewhere else.”

He frowns at me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Kat, I said I wanted to take you shopping. If you like the dress, try it on.”

I do love the dress, but I can’t let him pay that much for one piece of clothing. Especially since I will be leaving soon. “It’s too much.”

Tobias’s features soften, and he lowers his voice, coming close to speak in my ear. “I really want to do this for you. Will you let me?”

He sounds sincere, but I still feel bad. “Are you sure?”

He smiles, and his one dimple shows. “Quite.”

I take the dress and go into the changing room. My fingers tremble as I climb into the dress and zip up the back. Nine hundred dollars for one dress. Never in my life have I ever imagined I would wear something so expensive. I want to tell Tobias it doesn’t fit, that it’s all wrong for me, but as I smooth down the fabric I fall instantly in love with it. It’s soft and flatters my figure. It makes my legs look longer, and the skirt swishes in just the right way. I adore it.

I walk out of the changing room and Tobias waits there, two other dresses in his hands. He motions for me to turn around, and I oblige. “Do you like it?”

I try not to smile, but it sneaks out anyway. “I love it.”

“Great. Why don’t you try these others on too.” He hands them to me. One is a gorgeous shade of light purple, and the other is a pale pink with white dots and would look great paired with cute sandals. I take them, feeling like a princess. I try on both of the new dresses and show Tobias each of them.

“Did you like all of them?” he asks.

“Well, yes, but you can’t get them all.” I laugh at the thought.

He just smiles, then grabs a stack of tops. “Try these on now.”

“Tobias—”

“Don’t argue with me.” He gently guides me back into the changing area. “Will you just let me do this for you?”

I don’t know what to say. Before I know it, we’re walking out of the store with a whole new wardrobe for me, complete withnew shoes and accessories. The only thing he didn’t buy me is new underwear, probably because it would have been awkward for both of us.

I’ve never felt so pampered in my life. Tobias drives back to Willow Shade and pulls up in front of a restaurant called Sand and Sea. It’s a cute mom and pop seafood place. He opens my door for me again. Why does that make my heart stutter?

The hostess seats us by a large window facing the ocean. The sun is setting and the brilliant colors across the sky look more like a painting than real life. I stare out of the window my heart in my throat. If I wasn’t lying about who I am, this would be a romantic evening with a man I’m quickly falling for. A man who has told me he has feelings for me. This could be the start of something good. Guilt rises in my chest, and I look to my lap. What am I even doing here?

CHAPTER 25

TOBIAS BARRETT

Ilook across the table and take in Kiki’s expression. She looks sad, and I don’t understand. I thought buying her new clothes would make her happy. Why am I always doing the wrong thing? I pick up my water glass and take a sip. “What are you thinking?”

Kiki’s thoughts seem far away, but she meets my gaze. “About how beautiful this island is.”

I struggle to figure her out. “And that makes you sad?”

“No,” she says quickly. “I’m just tired.” She forces a smile and picks up her menu. “Ooh, they have shrimp and steak.”

“Their lobster is good here, too.”

Kiki scrunches her nose. “I’ve never had lobster.”

“Now’s your chance then.”

She balks. “No way. I wouldn’t know how to eat it, and what if I hate it? It’s like a million dollars. I’ll get the shrimp and steak. I know I’ll like that.” She closes her menu.

I chuckle. She’s cute when she’s flustered. “Okay. What if I order the sampler that has a lobster tail, and you can try some?”