Perfect Fit (Serendipity's Finest 1)

She knew the difference. He took control as usual, but the reverence in his touch was different; the way he caressed her with his lips, his hands, his mouth—was different. When he entered her, his gaze drinking her in as he thrust deep, he owned her. She knew it even if he never would.

Now, on Friday, her day off, she could barely concentrate, but she’d promised Alexa they’d go dress shopping for Joe and Annie’s upcoming wedding. Cara wasn’t a girly-girl who loved shopping, unlike Alexa, who enjoyed the whole process even if she didn’t get off work much to indulge. They drove to the nearest mall, twenty minutes away, and Cara let Alexa do her thing. She pulled a variety of dresses for each of them, choosing an assortment of colors, lengths, and shapes. Cara wasn’t big on bright colors, so in between her friends’ choices, she tossed in some basic black too.

After what felt like an endless morning, Cara slid into a black, silky, one-shouldered dress that draped in the right places and that she felt very comfortable in.

“Come out and let me see!” Alexa called from the fitting room next door.

Cara walked into the hall in her bare feet and faced Alexa, who glowed in a short dress covered in gold sequins. “That dress looks fabulous on you!” she told her friend.

“I love it too. I think this is the one. As long as we find shoes and a bag today, I’ll be all set.”

Cara groaned. “I thought we were finished after this.” She looked over her shoulder into the mirror for a full-length glance at her image. Yep, she was happy with this one.

“No. Next we accessorize.” Alexa planted her hands on her hips. “What are you wearing?”

“A dress.” She rolled her eyes at the stupid question.

“Going to a funeral?”

“Hey, that’s not nice. This is a cocktail dress and you know it.”

“It’s a basic black dress, and it does nothing special for you.” After that disheartening pronouncement, Alexa walked around Cara in a circle, and nodded once. “Right. Nothing special. Did you try the red one?”

No, Cara had not tried the red one because she’d stand out at the wedding like a sore thumb. “I could have worn that to Vegas. It’s not appropriate for the wedding. It’s at Joe’s Bar!”

“Yet you love me in this?” Alexa waved her hand up and down the glittering number.

“You’re more outgoing.”

“You’re such a chicken. You want to blend into the woodwork? Why? You’ve got a hot body and a hot guy who’ll want to see it. Go change. I want to see the red dress.”

Cara sighed and headed back into the fitting room. There was no arguing with Alexa when she was in this kind of determined mood. “I’ll never find shoes to match,” Cara called out through the slatted door as she struggled to adjust the tightly fitted dress.

“That’s what silver is for. Now get out here and let me see.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy?” Cara muttered, tugging on the hem.

“Only my interns, my staff, my patients, and my friends.”

Cara opened the door and stepped back into the hall.

“Oh my God. Stunning. Turn.” Alexa made a spinning motion with her hands, and Cara dutifully followed directions. “Perfect!”

“Look at my cleavage!”

Alexa grinned. “Exactly! Stunning. Classy yet bold. Let’s go. We have to find shoes.”

Cara sighed and shut the dressing room door. Before changing, she glanced at her reflection in the small mirror. She did love how the dress hugged her curves. She’d just never picked out such a statement color before.

“You only live once,” Alexa called out from her room next door. “Stop overthinking it and change.”

Cara laughed and decided her friend was right. She’d buy the dress and make a statement. They paid for their dresses and took them downstairs to pick out shoes.

“Do you have a date for the wedding?” Cara asked.

Alexa shook her head. “With who? The same people who come through my office doors? Or the ER?”

“And whose fault is that? You work too hard! There are plenty of single, good-looking guys in Serendipity, and you know it.”