Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Arch immediately pulled his baseball cap farther down, until his eyes were partly shaded. Although people in Carmel-by-the-Sea were used to seeing celebrities and respectfully left them in peace, you could never be sure that the odd opportunist wouldn’t break this unspoken code of conduct. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to recognize him and snap a photo of him in a women’s clothing boutique that would be splashed all over the Internet within the hour.
“We should look at all the options,” Mila said in a low tone that only he could hear as the sales associate approached. “Shall I pretend it’s for me?”
Arch nodded, thankful Mila was so on the ball.
Mila returned the smartly dressed woman’s greeting and said she was looking for a special dress to wear to a gala.
The woman barely glanced at Arch. “I can certainly help you. Do you have anything particular in mind? A color or style?”
“I was wondering about the dress in the window.”
The sales associate immediately said, “The one-shoulder? It arrived just this morning from Milan.”
Mila said she’d try it on and also wanted a couple of other options. The sales associate picked out a deep burgundy three-quarter-length gown and a marine blue silk that Arch thought would go with Tessa’s eyes, although it had some ruffles he didn’t think she would like.
Mila took all three into the changing room, and Arch took a seat outside. As he waited for her, he pictured Tessa’s response when he presented her with an expensive gown.
He knew she planned to go thrifting for something to wear, but he hoped his impulse to surprise her with the dress wouldn’t backfire. It wasn’t that he wanted to undermine her wishes. He just couldn’t help wanting to do special, out-of-the-ordinary things for her. To make her feel like the center of the universe.
Because she was certainly the center of his universe.
Mila pulled back the curtain with a flourish and stepped out. She was wearing the silvery dress and a smile so wide he grinned right back.
“It’s perfect, right?” she said. Lowering her voice, she said, “It’s a little tight on me, but Tessa is more willowy, so it will glide right off her curves. The silk is incredible, and the tailoring is masterful.”
Arch found himself nodding, speechless as he imagined Tessa in the dress. It was a stunner and would look even more striking on Tessa, with her dark hair, than it did with Mila’s sunshine blond. His sister was right that it was a little tight on her—she was more muscled from surfing and working out—but he could see how it would be just right on Tessa.
“It’s the one,” he agreed.
“I’ll try on the others, just in case,” she said. “We need to be sure.”
Both of the other dresses were great, but they lacked the wow factor of the silvery-pearl dress.
“I think we have a clear winner,” Mila said, back in the navy slacks and white blouse she’d worn into the store. She looked at the tag and then showed it to Arch.
Arch shrugged at the $5,000 price tag. He’d been expecting a hefty price for something so well crafted, and he was lucky enough to be at a point in his career where money wasn’t a concern.
“The money doesn’t matter,” he said softly to his sister, “but you’ve got to promise never to tell Tessa.” No question, she would freak out if she knew he’d spent that kind of money on a dress for her.
Mila narrowed her eyes. He was waiting for her to say something sarcastic about having more money than sense, but then her expression changed. She left the dress hanging on the rack and took a seat next to him.
Her voice still low, she said, “Don’t mess this up. Tessa is not like the usual women you date—the ones you love, then leave. She could get hurt. Really hurt. I can tell you have a thing for her—it’s totally obvious—but I’m not sure whether it’s because you’re bored and she’s available.”
Arch’s eyes widened. So, his sister really did think he was arrogant—and misbehaved—when it came to women. He might not have been perfect in the past, but who was? He’d always tried to treat the women he dated with respect for as long as they were together. Okay, maybe that often wasn’t for long, but his work was usually to blame. He was never in one place long enough to make a deep commitment.
But with Tessa, everything felt different. It wouldn’t matter if he had to spend weeks away on set—he’d find a way to keep them connected.
Since Mila had already guessed, he saw no point in pretending that he wasn’t involved with Tessa. “You don’t need to worry about that,” he said. “I have a big thing for her.”
“How big?” Mila raised a brow. Clearly, she was still suspicious. “You’ve always been so focused on your career. Women always come second.”