Page 115 of The Worst Best Man

Her waist was slimmer, her breasts were supported and the full skirt floated around her. “Damn good job, Kilbourn.”

“Can I pick ‘em, or can I pick ‘em?”

“Mmm, the way you’re looking at me I’m wondering if you’re not just talking about the dress.”

He leaned in and dropped a kiss to her shoulder.

“Isn’t this the part where you shower me with a quarter-million dollars’-worth of jewelry?” she joked.

“As a matter of fact,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry case.

“Get the fuck out. Don’t come near me with whatever that is. I’ll lose it or get robbed or break out in a rash. This skin isn’t used to platinum.”

She backed into the corner of the closet warding him off with her hands.

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“You have expensive jewelry in that case, and it’s my right to refuse it. I’ll be a nervous wreck with something sparkly you rented for the evening.”

He opened the case.

“Oh,” she breathed, reaching out. “If you shut the case on my fingers, I’m going to punch you in your very sexy nose.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Do you like them?”

It was a pair of chandelier earrings. They weren’t dripping in diamonds but rather a rainbow of glittering gemstones.”

“Aide, they’re beautiful.”

He handed them over one at a time, and she slipped them into her ear lobes.

“They’re not rented. I saw them and thought of you. Colorful. Interesting. Warm.”

“Oh, sweet baby Jesus, Aide! Exactly how much of your money am I wearing right now?” she asked, admiring the glitter in the mirror.

“Are we going to do this every time I buy you something?”

“Yes. Unless it’s a candy bar or a slice of pizza or any other item under ten dollars.”

“Then I guess we’d both better get used to this conversation. Also, those were some specific food references. Do I need to feed you before we leave?”

“Definitely.”

“I’ll have something sent up.” He paused in the doorway. “Or I can make you a grilled cheese.”

She perked up. “A grilled cheese?”

He nodded.

“That would be perfect.”

He turned to leave again, but she called him back.

“Hey, Aide? Thank you.”

He gave her that warm smile that crinkled his eyes, the one that she was starting to think he reserved just for her.

She turned back to her reflection and took a deep breath, barely recognizing herself. Money really did buy style.