Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“I didn’t order…” Her voice trailed off as she took in the name of a very expensive department store on the bags and she immediately knew.
What had Jared done?
“Come in,” she said, and rushed to her wallet to pull out a tip which she handed to the man once he’d settled the dolly in a corner of the front room.
“Thank you,” he said, and left her alone with what she assumed was a selection of gowns.
She bit the inside of her cheek as she pulled down one zipper to find a silver beaded gown with ruching along the stomach. The second bag had a teal Grecian gown with one shoulder knotted at the top. And the third was a simple black trapeze-style gown that obviously had some give around the waist.
Knowing she shouldn’t but unable to resist, she looked at the tag on the silver one, gasping at the price. She glanced at the shoe boxes on the bottom, caught sight of the name, knew they had red soles, and tried not to pass out. How he knew her size was beyond her but she had a feeling her girls might have played a role. They’d always liked to try on her clothes and no doubt they had an idea of sizing.
The allowance around her bump was a no-brainer. She was going to have to buy a size up in leggings soon. After the twins, this second pregnancy had her body changing shape very quickly.
She ought to scold him for spending so much but she couldn’t. Not when he’d been so generous and he really wanted her to come with him.
A card stuck out of one of the shoeboxes and she pulled it out, opening the envelope and reading the note inside. Keep them all. No doubt you’ll look beautiful whatever you choose. I’m sure there will be other galas and events for us to attend. Jared X
“Oh wow.” She’d assumed she’d choose one dress and he’d call to have the others picked up once she’d decided.
This whole moment was like a dream, she thought, twirling in the mirror. Except it wasn’t. This moment and these garments were real. Which meant she needed to keep a smart head on her shoulders and remember this wasn’t some fairy tale.
Jared was her baby’s father, a man she enjoyed spending intimate time with, but he wasn’t her Prince Charming. Even if this exorbitant gift said otherwise. Keeping her wits about her and her heart to herself was the only way she’d survive this situation. Because they were tied for life by their baby and she couldn’t risk rocking that boat.
Knowing which gown she preferred, she tried on the silver, praying it would fit. Though she couldn’t zip it herself, she could tell the size was right, as was the silhouette. She looked like an elegant woman who just might belong at the event, especially when she’d put on one of the three pairs of Louboutins, something she never thought she’d own.
Blowing out a breath, she called downstairs and made an appointment at the salon for the works next Saturday, knowing nothing less than her very best would do. Jared deserved to walk into the event with someone who’d put effort into her appearance. Though she might pretend she fit in, at least she’d look the part.
As she slipped out of the dress and hung it back up, she noticed a small shopping bag across the dolly from the shoes. Inside she found a silver handbag that would go with all the gowns but was especially perfect for the one she’d chosen.
When she was finished trying on the other two dresses—just in case—and finding they all looked beautiful on her, she repackaged the shoes and the handbag and placed them on the dolly. Everything would be ruined if she tried to stuff it in the small closet.
Once back in her normal old clothes, she picked up her phone and she noticed her hands were shaking and her heart was racing inside her chest. No one had ever treated her so well or made her feel so special. She might want to protect her heart and her emotions so she could continue to be her non-reliant, independent self… but Jared was making it very difficult.
She called Jared, reaching his voicemail. She left a message filled with all the excitement and gratitude flowing through her at the moment. He deserved nothing less.
After the exertion of trying on the gowns, she was ready for a nap. A quick look at her phone before she closed her eyes and she discovered an email from the museum who’d requested an interview. They offered a few dates and times to meet. Charlie gave them the order of her preference and between Jared’s gift and the interview, it was a wonder the adrenaline flowing through her body let her sleep.