Page 190 of Mario
“This one was first,” he says, setting it on the island.
A dark red ribbon.
Another box follows.
“This was too pale.”
Then another.
“This one was nearly correct.”
I stare at him. “Nearly correct.”
“Yes.”
“You bought multiple sets of lingerie.”
His expression says this is self-evident.
“For me.”
“Yes.”
“Mario.”
He ignores me and pulls the ribbon on one of the boxes.
"This one was perfect. More so than the blue even." He opens it to reveal deep green lace. "However, I thought you would object to it."
My words disappear.
This is no ordinary green. It's not exactly an emerald green either. It's deeper than that. Smoky and rich and elegant.
His eyes move from the lingerie to my face.
“This made me think of your eyes.”
Oh.
That is not fair.
That is not even remotely fair.
I step closer despite myself.
The green is beautiful.
Ridiculously beautiful.
More beautiful than anything I own or have ever even considered owning.
I touch the edge of the lace with one finger.
It feels even softer than the blue.
My throat tightens.
“This is…” I stop and try again. “This is a lot of money.”
