Page 39 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

G rant stays true to his promise and goes on a run with Queenie and I the next morning. He’s much too cheerful, as usual. The guy must wake up thinking the world is a meadow full of daisies. It’s refreshing, though.

I don’t know what the plans are for the day, but Grant can’t stop grinning. I’m excited to see what he has in store, not that I’ll show him.

Now we’re hopping out of the shower together and I’m picking out my usual clothes of black leggings and an oversized shirt.

“Okay, Sunshine, today is going to be a day of spoiling you,” he shouts from his expansive closet with a freaking leather chair in it.

“Oh no—”

“Nope. I’m not taking no for an answer.” He comes out of the closet dressed in gray shorts and a navy golf shirt.

He pulls his hair back into his usual bun as he talks.

“I’m taking you shopping, out to lunch, and then to a special place.

It’s going to be fun. Queenie won’t be able to come, but I have someone coming over to walk her in the middle of the day. ”

He’s thought of everything.

“You don’t need to thank me by spoiling me. I was just glad you wanted to hang out with me.” I give a tiny grin.

“Lana, why do you do that?” His face is laced with concern and a bit of anger or disappointment.

“Do what?”

“Doubt yourself. Put yourself down.”

“Uh, it just comes naturally.” I flick my wrist.

“Stop it.” He grabs my chin and makes me stare at him. “ You deserve whatever you want because you’re fucking amazing.” He looks at me, searching for a confirmation.

I nod, but my breathing has stopped. Does he really mean that?It’s hard not to believe him when he’s looking me in the eyes.

“Now, let’s go. I’m spoiling you, starting now.” He walks away and starts gathering his wallet, keys, and phone. He shoves the items into his pockets while his watch is on display. He makes being sexy look effortless.

I smirk and don’t move. “Grant. You can’t order me around.”

“You like it.” He stares at me through hooded eyes, then comes over to me and wraps me in a hug. “Especially in the bedroom.” He grabs my ass.

I push him away, but there’s no bite to it. “Shut up!” I smirk.

He kisses my forehead and then drags me along by the hand. He pats Queenie on the head and tells her we’ll be back later while I pet her next. Then he holds open the door to the garage for me and waits for me to walk through.

I walk past him swaying my hips. He walks behind me and gets the car door. He has a three-car garage filled with three luxury cars. One is a black two-seater, one is a gray SUV, and the last one is a white four-door luxury sedan. It’s plugged into the wall.

He chooses the sedan and I get inside while he unplugs it. The smell of leather and new car fill the space. He goes around to his side and then backs out of the garage, using one hand to maneuver as he keeps one hand on the inside of my thigh.

“Don’t you have a driver?” I’m curious why a guy who doesn’t drive much needs so many cars.

“Yeah. You know Andrew.”

“Why do you have so many cars then?”

“It’s a guy thing.” He shrugs.

We pass by the pristine homes and yards with the fountains. Almost everyone has solar panels, including Grant .

“Shopping isn’t really my thing. Paige likes to go, though,” I tell him, looking at all the trees passing by after we’ve gone down the road.

“Ah. I remember Paige. Wild little thing.”

I smile. “Yup, she sure is. My point is—I don’t need any clothes.”

“Sunshine, have you seen that body of yours?”

I look down, furrowing my brow.

“It’s insanely sexy,” he continues. “You keep wearing sweats to cover up, but you should really be showing off. I’ve seen your place—it’s full of color. I get the feeling you like color, but you keep picking gray and black to wear. Am I off? Do you genuinely love wearing gray and black?”

He has summed up everything I’ve ever felt about my body in the last four years.

I used to always pick bright colors to wear.

I still do every now and then, but I’ve been sticking to neutrals because Ryan’s voice is in the back of my head.

“That looks too revealing. That color is something a hooker would wear. Isn’t purple for little girls? ”

I hadn’t realized it affected me so much. All the comments over the years. All the demeaning remarks I’d never thought much about until I’m looking at it from a different perspective—thanks to Grant.

Years of questioning myself now has me wondering if Grant is criticizing my choices.

My hands start shaking. Is Grant trying to change me?

He doesn’t think I’m beautiful like he’s been saying in my sweats and glasses.

It was all fake. A stupid fucking tear rolls down my cheek and I wipe it away as quick as I can. Grant notices.

“Lana, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I look out the window with a shaky breath.

“Baby, what’s going on? Why are you crying?” He grips my inner thigh tighter.

I clear my throat. “You’re saying I don’t dress nice enough for you?”

“Lana, no, no, no!” He looks back and forth from me to the road.

“That’s not what I meant at all! I’m so sorry!

What I meant was you have a gorgeous body and you like colors.

Dressing is a way to express how you feel and I was thinking you can’t possibly feel so dreary all the time.

I think you look amazing in anything you wear.

If you wanted to wear shirts that are too big for you and leggings every day, I’d say go for it.

I just think you’re missing you. It’s no judgement on you at all.

You could never make me think of you as unattractive.

” He pulls my leg towards him and looks over to me with pleading eyes.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.

Inside and out. I’ll always think you’re stunning.

Glasses, messy bun, sweats—I don’t care about that.

What I care about is seeing the dimple and seeing the glow you have.

Girls like shopping. I thought you’d be happy to find some new things to go with the person I know you are. ”

The tears keep coming. I had no idea how much I needed to hear I’m always beautiful. I’m always enough. My love language must be affirmations or some shit. I don’t know why I’m having a meltdown on a perfectly wonderful day.

“Why are you crying baby? I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“These are tears of relief now, I think.” My eyes squint in his direction. “Do you really mean I’m always beautiful?”

“Baby, if you want to ditch shopping and go on with the day, I’ll think you’re the most incredible woman in the room.

I have no eyes for any other woman. You’re it.

I was thinking this would be a fun activity where you could pick out things you love and feel confident in something that fits you.

I just want you to know you don’t have to hide anymore, Sunshine. ”

He keeps looking from the road to me, waiting for me to explain more. I’m fidgeting with my shirt and biting the inside of my cheek to stop crying.

“I don’t know if I’m ready to go shopping,” I say after a pause.

“Okay. No worries. I didn’t mean to push you. We’ll go to the other surprise I had planned.”

“Okay. You sure my leggings and shirt will be okay? ”

“You look beautiful, baby girl. You’re naturally beautiful. I’m sorry if I did anything to make you think otherwise.”

“I’ll get back to myself.” I stare out the window for a minute before continuing. “You’re right—I do like colorful outfits. It would take all day to find something, though and I know you don’t want to be shopping with me. You have other things planned.”

“Lana, you just told me you do like colorful things. Please let me take you. I’m the one who offered.

I want to take you. The place I’m taking you has a million shops and an ice rink.

There’s more to do there than just look at clothes.

It’s going to be cool. If you don’t find anything, you don’t find anything. No big deal.”

“Umm...” I tuck a non-existent strand of hair behind my ear. “Okay. But if I don’t find anything,” I point my finger at him, “we’re leaving.”

“Agreed.”

“And I’m buying.”

“Nope.”

I look over to him, astonished.

“Your money is no good around me.” Then he winks and drives like no serious conversation happened at all. He’s talking about different flavors of ice cream for some reason. I nod my head, staring at my hands. The heat from his hand comforting me while the air conditioner blows out ice.

It’s been forever since I’ve been shopping. I don’t even know what size I am. I know it must’ve changed since I’ve been losing inches.

He pulls into a spot in a parking garage.

Then he takes my hand and leads me into the building.

The landscaping outside greets us with those green bushes everyone trims into shapes.

Then two big glass doors open and three floors appear.

He wasn’t kidding—this place must have a million places to shop at. Great.

He keeps hold of my hand and keeps looking over to me every time we pass a store. Maybe to see if I’m interested in what’s in the windows? I don’t know.

We come to a place with workout clothes in the window, but I don’t recognize the name.

Something about a lemon? Maybe everything smells like lemons in here.

I’m not sure how that’s a draw, but I let Grant lead me in.

Then I see it: the cutest purple and gray tie-dyed sports bra and legging matching set.

It’s what I’d love to wear working out—everyone has one of these cute looking outfits on these days.

Grant must see my face. “What size are you?”

“Oh, I could never wear that.”

“Why not?”

“Isn’t it too revealing?” I scrunch my nose thinking about what Ryan told me a long time ago.

“For this phenomenal body of yours? I don’t think so. Why don’t you try it on?”

Before I can protest, he pulls out two sizes and tells me to go to the fitting room. I don’t argue. I love this outfit. It’s exactly what I’ve been wanting to wear. I have support I would look good in it too, unlike with my ex.

“I can take those for you,” a blonde store employee greets us. “Follow me to dressing room three.”

I give the clerk a shy smile and follow her to the room, looking behind me to Grant giving me an encouraging nod.

“The drive here, okay?” she asks. “Sometimes there’s so much traffic.”

I nod. I don’t know what to say since we didn’t run into any traffic.

“Glad you made it in okay. Be careful on the way home. Drivers around here are nuts. Take your time trying these on. Let me know if you need a different size.” She walks off like she’s a pony searching for a flower.

Everyone is overly friendly in Texas. What the fuck is that about?

I try on the bigger size on first and find it fits me like a glove. My goal was to be healthy again. The mirror is showing the muscle tone I’ve gained and my lips turning up at the corners as I switch from side to side to see every angle. I love it .

I place it back on the hangers and get dressed in my other outfit, making my way out to the store.

“How’d it fit?” Grant asks, eyebrows raised.

“Good.” My smile is still in place. “I’ll just go check out.”

“I told you, I was taking care of everything today. I got it, Sunshine.” He takes the outfit from my hands.

“Grant, you really don’t—” but he goes to the cash register without another thought. I hang back in the store, looking at some other things, and Grant joins me a couple minutes later.

“Oh, shit. Did you want something else?” He puts his hand behind his neck, like every other time he’s been in distress. “I should’ve let you look around more.”

“No, Grant, I’m fine.” I touch his arm. “Thank you.”

“I’d do anything to see that dimple.” Then he kisses me.

In the middle of the store, where anyone could be watching.

A full-on tongue kiss while he holds my head in place.

My ex wouldn’t even put his arm around me in public.

To feel like I’m being cherished and not a disappointment is nicer than I want to admit.