“I trust them, but I wish you would’ve asked me first.”
He chuckled, rubbing his jaw. “You would’ve protested too much if I’d done that.” He was right. “I knew you’d agree easier if I already had a game plan in place.” Right again.
I twisted my lips as I fought a smile. It blew my mind that he knew me so well. Hayes was the kind of guy that seemed aloof, but in actuality he paid close attention to everything around him.
Before I could sprinkle him with a compliment that would only serve to inflate his ego, we heard Maddox calling our names.
“That’s our cue to leave.”
He stood and extended a hand to help me up before scooping Mia into his arms.
He ran towards Maddox with Mia’s giggles trailing behind him.
Two SUVs were parked illegally and people were getting fussy, but I tried my best to pay them no mind.
“You’re in that car, Arden.” He pointed to the first SUV.
Sadie rolled down the back passenger window and hung out of the opening. “Get in loser, we’re going shopping.”
“Did you just quote Mean Girls?” I asked her.
“Duh, it’s only one of the greatest movies ever.”
I shook my head and started to get in the car, but Hayes grabbed my arm to halt me.
“I’ll see you later.” He lowered his head, placing a quick chaste kiss on my lips.
“Bye.” I said breathlessly and climbed into the car.
“Oh, and Sadie,” Hayes strode up to the vehicle and leaned inside, “take care of my girl.”
I watched, open-mouthed, as he handed her a shiny black credit card.
“Hayes!” I yelled after him but he was already getting in the other SUV and we were pulling into traffic.
There were two bodyguards accompanying us, and I figured the guys had insisted on it.
I sat beside Remy in the back and I turned to smile at her. “Hi, how are you?”
“Good.” She smiled. “Tired,” she added with a laugh, “but good. Having a newborn is exhausting—add in Mathias, and I’m about to lose my mind.”
I laughed and patted her arm. “It’ll get better.”
“Oh, I’m sure the baby will…Mathias, not so much.” Despite her words, she smiled widely and happiness shimmered in her pale blue eyes. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and her makeup was minimum. It was a change since Remy was usually dolled up. “So, you and Hayes?” She wiggled her brows and bumped my shoulder. “It’s about time that boy settled down.”
A blush stained my cheeks. “Yeah, me and Hayes.” There was no skirting around it anymore. Hayes and I were…well, a couple. God, that was weird to think about. I hadn’t been someone’s girlfriend in ten years.
“Where are we going first?” I asked Sadie, because I had no doubts that she was the ring leader of my kidnapping.
She peered back at me with a smirk. “First up, the hair salon.”
“The hair salon?” I asked incredulously. “Why?”
“We have to get you ready for your date tonight,” she huffed.
And now I was officially terrified.
“Don’t look so scared,” she laughed, “it’ll be fun. You’ll see.”
Yeah, we would see.
I’M PRETTY SURE my body was sparkling.
If it wasn’t, then it should have been.
Not only had my hair been cut and styled to perfection, but I’d also had my body buffed, cleansed, and shined. I kind of felt like a car getting a major detailing. I couldn’t say I hated it, though. There had never been a time when I was pampered like this, and I was going to allow myself to enjoy it.
A makeup artist expertly applied my makeup while someone else painted my nails in a pale pink.
The other girls sat chatting off to the side.
“And done.” The makeup artist—named Kara, took a step back and let me finally see my reflection in the mirror.
My hair had been trimmed, and my normal waves had been styled straight and sleek. The makeup was impeccable, but not over dramatic.
“Thank you,” I told Kara. “I’d give you a hug, but…” I nodded at the woman doing my nails.
Kara laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Enjoy your evening.”
She packed up her supplies and went to help someone else.
Within a few minutes my nails were done, which I was grateful for since my butt had long since gone numb.
“How do you feel?” Sadie asked.
“Amazing,” I replied honestly. “And that facial was everything dreams are made of.”
Sadie’s laughter rang through the room. “We have to get you out more.”
“Well, it’s kind of hard to do these things when I have a kid,” I mumbled.
“I know.” Sadie reached out and gave my arm a squeeze. “Even so, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your needs. Everyone needs ‘me’ time now and then.”
I eyed her, suppressing a laugh. “Tell me that again when you have children.”
She snorted. “Me? A child? I can’t even imagine.”
“You don’t want kids?” I asked, completely surprised.
“No, I do,” she rushed to assure me, “it’s just…with everything that’s happened in my life in the past few months kids are the last thing on my mind.”
“Can’t say I blame you,” I shrugged. “Although, between those two,” I pointed to Remy and Emma, “you’re going to end up getting baby fever.”
Sadie busted into laughter. “Yeah, probably. But Ezra better put a ring on this,” she began to dance, waving around her left hand, “before he even thinks about putting a baby in me.” She settled and clapped her hands together, sobering. “Phase One is complete. Now we move on to Phase Two.”
“What’s Phase Two?” I was a bit afraid to know. I mean, this part hadn’t been bad, but who knew what Sadie had up her sleeve.
“Shopping, of course.”
“I should’ve known.”
“Ladies!” She called to Emma and Remy and they immediately snapped to attention. “It’s time to go shopping.”
There was something about the way she said the word shopping that had me worried.
I was drug from the building and into the SUV waiting outside.
Sadie rattled off an address to the guy driving and I settled into my seat, knowing that with this traffic it could take us an hour to go five blocks.
When we finally stopped outside a store my mouth dropped open.
“Have you lost your mind?” I shrieked at Sadie, pointing out the window at the displays of sexy lingerie. “I can’t wear that! That covers nothing!”
“Stop being dramatic.” She shook her head at me and slipped from the vehicle. I stayed seated. “So help me God, Arden, I will climb in that vehicle and drag your ass out here if I have to.”
I took a deep, steadying breath. I knew she’d make good on her threat if I didn’t get moving.
I climbed out of the car, Remy and Emma already waiting on the street with Sadie.
The bodyguards stayed in the car and I was thankful that they weren’t about to witness my complete embarrassment.
“Come on,” Sadie grabbed my hand, hauling me forward, “it won’t be as bad as you think.”
It was worse.
Once we entered the store the garments only became skimpier and more lavish.
The thin, barely-there, lingerie oozed money. I was sure a pair of underwear cost more than I made in a month.
The marble floors shined beneath my feet and above us a huge chandelier shimmered, casting rainbows throughout the large space.
“Can I help you?” A saleswoman strode up to us, all business.
“Yes,” Sadie stepped forward, dragging me with her, “our friend Arden here has a hot date tonight, and we need her to look sexy. Not only for her man, but for herself.”
“I’m sure we’ll be able to find something. I’ll set up a room for you. Are you ladies shopping as well?” She looked from
Sadie to Emma and Remy.
“Possibly.” Remy reached out, running her fingers along the black lace of a bra that left little to the imagination. “Maybe when I’m not breastfeeding,” she added as an afterthought, her hand falling away as she sighed.
The four of us followed the sales lady back to an elegant changing room. There was a large space with lounge chairs set up between the dressing room and we took a seat while we waited for her to come back.
My hands shook with nerves and I buried them between my knees in the hopes of stilling them.
The woman returned what felt like an eternity later with several different items in varying colors.
She hung up the items in one of the rooms and motioned for me to enter.
I stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind me.
“Don’t freak out!” Sadie called.
“Too late,” I mumbled.
I grabbed the first item, a lacey pale pink bra and pantie set.
I shoved my fear down and removed my clothes so that I could slip into the lingerie. I had to admit, it fit well, but that didn’t change the fact that it was see-through. Not even kidding. You could see my nipples.
Oh dear God.
I’d never worn anything this revealing, and definitely not since my pregnancy.
My body had changed after I had Mia.
My curves were fuller and there were still the faint lines of stretch marks on my stomach.
I wasn’t ashamed, but it was hard not to be embarrassed at the thought of prancing around in something like this.
“Arden!” Sadie pounded on the door. “Let us see.”
“Uh…”
“Oh my God, you’re not embarrassed are you? Come on, we’re all girls here! If it makes you feel better I’ll strip down to my skivvies. I happen to be wearing Thor today.”
Before she could ramble anymore I opened the door, resisting the urge to hide my body with my arms.
Remy let out a wolf whistle. “Look at you hot mama!”
I hid my face in my hands.
Sadie pinched my side. “Why are you embarrassed? You’re hot!”
“It’s just weird,” I admitted, “I feel so exposed.”
“That’s kind of the point.” She eyed me. “Anyway, this isn’t the one. You need something sexier.”
“Sexier?” My voice spiked in pitch. “Isn’t this sexy?!”
“Yeah,” she shrugged, “it’s just a little too sweet.”
“You can see my nipples.”
“I noticed that.” She laughed. “But it’s not good enough. You need something so hot that the moment he sees you in it he comes in his pants.”
“Um…”
“Just trust me.” She pushed me back into the dressing room.
I tried on another set, this time in black. It covered more skin, but was still sexy. I felt more comfortable in it but as soon as she saw it Sadie vetoed it.
“Let me see what you have in there.”
Before I could respond she strode past me and into the room.
“No, no, maybe, yes!” She cried triumphantly. “This one!”
She shoved the silky garment into my hands. “It’s white,” I said unnecessarily.
“Guys dig the whole innocent virgin look. Just trust me on this. And that garter belt…oh yeah, he’s gonna lose his mind.”
“Who said I’d be having sex tonight?” I countered.
She grinned and patted my head. “You’re so cute.”
She slipped out the door and closed it behind her.
“Put it on!” She yelled through the door.
I sighed and changed into the one she’d chosen.
I looked at myself in the mirror and let out a surprised gasp.
I had to admit, Sadie had been right.
The white popped against my creamy skin and made my red hair seem even redder. I wasn’t sure about virginal, but it was definitely sexy. Very sexy, actually.
The bra was lace and completely see-through with a matching set of panties. A lace corset type thing was wrapped around my middle with the ends of the garter belt dangling from it.
“Let me see!” Sadie pounded on the door, always impatient.
I opened the door and admitted, “You were right.”
“Ah!” Sadie clapped her hands together and began to do a victory dance. “Nailed it! That is perfect! Hayes is going to lose his mind. You can tell him to thank me later.” She winked.
I blushed, trying not to think about the purpose behind what I was wearing.
Yes, I’d slept with Hayes already.
But that had been months ago and we’d both had a few drinks. It had been entirely spontaneous.
I wasn’t sure lingerie was going to give me the courage to initiate anything as much as I might sort of want to.
Besides, Mia…
“Maddox and I will watch her all night if you’re okay with that,” Emma spoke up, almost as if she’d read my mind. “We better get used to taking care of a kid.” She rubbed her round stomach.
“Have you found out the gender yet?” I asked her, slipping back inside the dressing room to change into my clothes.
“Oh! That’s right, you don’t know yet!” I heard her clap her hands. “I’ll tell you when you come out.”
A few minutes later I opened the door and Emma burst out with, “It’s a girl!”
“Aw!” I ran over to hug her. “I’m so excited for you!”
“Thank you.” She glowed. “It has made it even more real knowing the baby is a girl. Maddox is absolutely giddy—and gloating. He was convinced it was a girl. I didn’t want to guess.”
“Do you have a name picked out?” I asked her, handing over my chosen garment to the saleslady.
“Willow Elise.”
“Willow?” I asked, surprised.
Emma nodded. “Willow Creek has a deep meaning for Maddox, beyond the band, so Willow was the only thing that made sense.”
“Well, it’s a beautiful name.”
We gathered our things and followed the saleslady to a cash register.
She rang up the items and Sadie handed over Hayes’ card.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the total. “Wait, what?!” I screeched, causing everyone near us to turn and look at my outburst. “Almost two-thousand dollars for lingerie?!”
“This isn’t just any lingerie,” Sadie countered, “it’s La Perla.”
“And I’m going to pass out.” I fanned my face.
“Oh calm down.” She waved a hand in my direction. “Hayes can certainly afford it.”
“That’s not the point.” I tried to take a deep breath.
I’d only ever spent that much money on the down payment for my car. I would never dream of spending that kind of money on underwear. And only one pair at that.
Holy shit.
I needed a drink.
The saleslady handed me the bag and I wrapped stiff fingers around it.
“You need to wipe that deer in headlights look off your face.” Sadie told me as we headed for the exit.
“It’s just so much money,” I mumbled.
“Remember,” she stopped me with a gentle hand on my wrist, “this is just as much for him as it is for you.”
“I know, but I still don’t think that justifies—”
She put a hand over my mouth. “Zip it. I don’t want to hear it.” Letting her hand fall she turned to Remy and Emma. “All that’s left is a dress and some killer heels. There’s a store just around the corner that I think might have something so let’s just walk.”
“Sounds good.” Emma chimed as we stepped outside. She signaled to the bodyguards and they got out of the car to join us.
I followed behind the three girls, trying to stop obsessing over the cost of the fancy lingerie.
Sadie noticed me lingering and shook her head. “Arden, I swear to God if you’re still thinking about the cost I might smack you upside the head.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Do you think I could retu
rn them?”
“You’re not returning them.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand to pull me along. “You’re going to wear them.”
“Okay.”
Wiggling her brows, she added, “And you’ll be thanking me tomorrow.”
“I hope you’re right.”
She scoffed. “I’m always right. Oh! Here it is!”
She yanked me into a small boutique that was easily missed the way it was nestled between two larger stores.
The store was decorated in all black and white with pops of hot pink. Round black leather ottomans took up much of the floor space with racks of clothing lining the walls.
“You. Sit.” Sadie pushed me onto one of the ottomans. “Remy and I will find something for you.”
The two bodyguards took up residence beside the entrance and I felt bad for them that they were being subjected to this. It couldn’t have been very fun.
I startled when Emma joined me on the ottoman and flashed me a smile.
“Seriously, don’t worry about any of this.” Emma pointed to the bag I held and then the store around us. “Hayes told us to spoil you at any cost and he’d be pissed if we spared any expense.” She assured me. “I get it though. Maddox and I are married now and I still have a hard time letting him spoil me. I didn’t come from much,” she shrugged, “and I don’t need much. So when he does something outlandish for me sometimes it makes me feel guilty, but I shouldn’t feel that way because it makes him happy.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed, pulling in a lungful of air. “I’ll try not to feel so guilty about it.”
“What do you think of this dress?” Remy held up a tight, very revealing, black dress.
“Uh…”
Sadie snatched it from her hands. “No that’s too revealing. We need something a little classier. Like this…” She produced an emerald green dress.
“I like that one.” I admitted.
“Go try it on.” She strode over to me and shoved the dress in my arms. “Changing rooms are back there.” She pointed. “We’ll look for shoes and jewelry while you put it on.”
She turned her back and I knew I had been dismissed.
I walked into one of the empty changing rooms and drew the curtain closed.
I slid the dress up my body, the silky fabric hugging my curves. The neck dipped down only a bit, giving a small glimpse of cleavage but not enough to be obscene. The bottom of the dress ended just below my knees with a bit of it coming up higher in the front. Even I had to admit I felt good in it.
Take A Chance Page 9