Page 31 of Midnight of Ashes
This time, the laugh did bubble out of me. “So romantic.”
“Damn straight.” He opened the door, holding it for me.
As soon as we entered, a woman hurried toward us. “Mr. Gallagher, so wonderful to see you again.”
“Hi, Sharee.”
The middle-aged woman’s gaze flicked to me. “Are you and your brothers in need of a wardrobe update?”
Knox shook his head. “My girlfriend needs a dress for a cocktail party this weekend. Hayden, this is Sharee. Sharee, Hayden.”
That warmth that had flickered to life earlier, swirled and spread. Girlfriend was almost as good as my girl.
The woman’s expression lit with pure joy at the announcement. She clasped her hands together. “This is just wonderful news.” Her gaze swept to me. “I’m assuming Hayden is who we placed the earlier order for?”
Knox nodded.
“Good. Then we have all her sizes.” Sharee’s smile grew. “Can’t imagine anything that wouldn’t look stunning on you, dear. Do you want my help to pull some things, or would you like to browse first?”
For some reason, the woman’s kindness had me fighting back tears. Maybe because it seemed like most people weren’t thrilled with my involvement with Knox and the guys. Maybe because so many people had been downright mean today. But I found myself having to swallow down the emotion clogging my throat.
“Thank you so much. I think I’ll look around first.”
Sharee patted my shoulder. “I like a woman who knows what she wants. I’ll be at the register in the back if you need me.”
“Thanks, Sharee,” Knox said.
The woman left us to browse.
“She’s really nice,” I whispered.
“She orders everything clothes-wise for us. I think we keep her in business.”
I chuckled at that. “I can’t imagine there’s a ton of call for”—I picked up a tag—“Chanel in Ember Hollow.”
Knox shook his head. “Probably not.”
We wandered through the racks. I had to admit, the pieces were stunning. But all the price tags made me blanch.
“This might be too much,” I murmured.
Knox took my shoulders. “We have more money than we’ll ever be able to spend. Let us take care of you.” He lowered his voice. “Our dragons need it as much as we do.”
I bit my bottom lip, glancing back at a lavender silk creation.
Knox followed my line of sight and stalked toward it, pulling it off the rack. “It would look gorgeous on you with your eyes.”
The four-figure price tag made me nauseous.
He let out a low growl. “You’re trying it on.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Bossy.”
“When it comes to your happiness, yes.”
Knox guided me toward the dressing rooms in the middle of the store and tugged me inside one, closing the door behind us.
“You can’t come in here with me.”
