Where was the harm in trying on a few nice things? There was no way she’d let Reuben buy them for her, but on an ordinary day she would never dare to come in here and try on all these clothes. It was a bit like being a child in a sweetie shop, surrounded by a million fabulous sweeties crammed in jars all around her.
She kicked off her boots and jeans, leaving them in a rumpled heap on the floor, tossing her T-shirt on top. It took only a few seconds to slip the dress over her shoulders and slide the zip into place. She stood back a little to get a look in the mirror.
That was what a dress that probably cost more than her monthly salary looked like.
Nice. More than nice. She ran the palms over the fabric. Gorgeous.
The curtain moved behind her and Bree appeared at her elbow. ‘Oh...very nice,’ she said, as she deposited some glittering eveningwear on the hooks on the wall. ‘Step outside and get a proper look. The light is better there.’
Bree swept back the curtain before Lara had a chance to object. The noise attracted Reuben’s attention and he looked up. There was a slight rise of his eyebrows. ‘Very Monte Carlo,’ he quipped.
She wasn’t used to having a guy around while she tried on clothes. Parts of her favourite movie were springing to mind. On one hand it brought a smile to her face, and on the other she was feeling slightly uncomfortable.
She stepped in front of one of the other mirrors. It was a gorgeous dress. Perfect for sitting in the café opposite the Casino in Monte Carlo. Oh, she already had her whole visit planned out.
Bree held up another summer dress. This one was pale yellow dotted with tiny flowers—not dissimilar to a top she owned. ‘Try this one too,’ she urged. ‘I think it will look just as nice and be a good contrast for you.’ She gave a wave of her hand. ‘I’ll get you some sandals.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Will you be doing any walking?’
Lara nodded. ‘I expect to be doing lots of walking.’
Bree nodded. ‘I’ll get you some wedges, then.’ She disappeared again and Lara stared over at Reuben. She might as well not exist right now. He was talking on the phone again. Someone was getting the benefit of his full attention—but she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted that to change.
She took a few steps back and her hands settled at the edge of the velvet curtains—it was almost as if she was peeking around at him.
From here she was beginning to get the whole ‘bad boy’ experience. Trouble was, it was making her blood rush quicker around her body. The skin at the back of her neck prickled as he started full-on ranting at the person at the end of the phone. He’d taken off his jacket and laid it across another chair, giving her a bird’s-eye view of the muscles rippling underneath the thin fabric of his T-shirt.
There was a hint of stubble along his jaw line and even from here—at the other side of the room—she could see his dark brown eyes blazing. She ducked back behind the curtain and wriggled her way out of the pink dress, taking the yellow one off the hanger. It really was cute, she liked it, she could imagine herself standing in front of the Leaning Tower in this dress and taking a photo. Right now she would be standing in front of the Leaning Tower in her underwear. She shook her head and took another little gulp of her drink. Too quick, and this time the bubbles shot up her nose, making her cough and splutter.
A head appeared around the curtain followed by a warm hand that thudded her back.
‘Reuben!’ she gasped as she held the dress up in front of herself.
It was no use. He had a rear view anyway and from his amused expression he was taking full advantage.
‘What?’ Even though the word was innocent, with his Irish accent it sounded like pure cheek.
‘Get out!’ she hissed.
He disappeared back behind the curtain and she pulled on the dress as quickly as she could, yanking back the curtains, ready to tell him exactly what she thought.
Bree breezed back into the room with two pairs of wedges in each hand. Her footsteps faltered and she looked from one to the other.
Lara was mad but Reuben was sitting with his arms folded, one leg slung over the other with a look of pure amusement on his face.
‘Should I come back?’ Bree asked hesitantly.
‘Don’t mind me.’ He shrugged.
‘I thought you were on the phone,’ Lara snapped.
He shrugged again. ‘I was. That was round one.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’d say round two will start in about five minutes. Let’s see how much you can try on in that space of time.’
He stood up and walked over to her, flooding her with a waft of his aftershave. ‘The dress is perfect for you.’ He looked towards Bree and pointed at the wedges. ‘And I like the natural-coloured ones. Not so plastic looking. Get them.’