Page 56 of A Tempting Seduction

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Okay, time to change the subject,” Zoe said, her voice brightening, “you mentioned talking to Chloe last night.”

Grateful for the subject change, I nodded. “She helped me work through my pre-date nerves.”

“You mean you're getting my sister to come out of her shell?” Zoe's eyes lit up with something between hope and amazement. “That's wonderful, Ruby. She's been so isolated since—” She stopped, her expression growing pained.

“Since her second miscarriage,” I finished gently.

Zoe nodded. “She hardly talks to any of us. She definitely won’t let any of us help. But if she's talking to you...”

“I've been to her apartment a few times. Brought her coffee. Heck, I even made her dinner one night. We talk about her manga mostly.”

“Her work is incredible,” Zoe said softly. “I worry that she hasn’t produced anything for so long.”

“But she has. What she’s working on now is incredible.”

“She is?”

I could hear the relief in Zoe’s voice. “She's stronger than you think,” I said, remembering Chloe's words about courage and moving forward despite fear. “She's just figuring out how to use that strength.”

Zoe's smile was the first genuinely happy expression I'd seen from her all morning. “Thank you. For being there for her when we couldn't.”

“She's been there for me too.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both lost in our own thoughts. Then Zoe's grin turned wicked.

“So,” she said, pulling out her phone. “Let's fix your underwear situation.”

“My what?”

“Cotton panties, Ruby. We're upgrading you to something that'll make Ford's eyes cross.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Zoe, I don't think⁠—”

“I can think plenty for both of us.” Her fingers were already flying across her phone screen. “Look at these.”

She held up her phone, showing me a website full of lace and satin and colors I'd never considered wearing against my skin.

“Those are gorgeous,” I admitted, studying a set in deep emerald green. “But they're so expensive.”

“Consider it an investment in your happiness.” Zoe added several items to the cart with ruthless efficiency. “Trust me, good underwear is like good coffee. Once you've had the real thing, you can never go back.”

“I can't let you buy me underwear.”

“Who said anything about me buying it?” Zoe handed me the phone. “You're buying it. I'm just providing expert consultation.”

An hour later, I'd somehow purchased more lingerie than I'd owned in my entire adult life. Zoe had insisted on everything from practical-but-pretty everyday sets to pieces that made me blush just looking at them.

“Ford's going to die,” Zoe said with satisfaction as she reviewed our shopping cart one final time. “In the best possible way.”

“What if he doesn't call?” The fear I'd been pushing down all morning finally surfaced. “What if last night was too much too fast? What if I turned him off?”

Zoe gave me a look that could have melted steel. “Ruby Miller, that man cleaned your kitchen and tucked you into bed after you had an emotional breakdown in his arms. He's not going anywhere.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I've seen the way he looks at you. Like you hung the moon and stars just for him.” Zoe stood up and grabbed her leather jacket. “Now stop worrying and go do something normal with your Sunday. The underwear will be here in three days, and by then Ford will be ready to propose just to get his hands on you again.”