“There’s a Starbucks on the first floor with WiFi.”

“Yeah. I think I’ll head over there.” He turned to Hailey. “How long do you think you’ll be?”

She scrunched her nose. “You can’t rush perfection, Uncle Hollsy.”

“Right.” He chuckled.

Once we separated from him, Hailey and I went to three different places before we ended up at the big department store. We visited the Juniors’ section first to pick out a handful of dresses for her. Then we headed over to the Women’s department and selected a few outfits for me to try on. We took them to the dressing room and planned to model the clothes for each other.

I entered a stall and Hailey took the one next to me. We’d tell each other when we were ready, then meet in the common area to show off our outfits.

When I tried on the last one, I exited the stall to find she wasn’t in the common area. Instead, I could hear her talking outside the dressing room.

“Hailey?” I called.

“Out here!” she said.

I walked out. “What are you...” I lost my words at the sight of Hollis standing in the middle of the Women’s department.

He swallowed hard as he took me in. I happened to be wearing a striking red dress that pushed my breasts together nicely. If I’d had to choose an outfit for him to catch me in, this was it.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Hailey told me she needed me.”

She looked at him. “Well, you have to pay for my dress, right?”

That’s total bullshit.

I called her out. “You know I have your uncle’s credit card.”

She blushed. “Okay, you’re right. I wanted him to see how pretty you look.”

Fairly certain I was the one blushing now.

Hollis’s eyes traveled up and down my body. “She does…look very pretty.”

“She’s going on a date. He’s picking her up at eight.” She laughed. “That rhymes.”

I’d never told her I was going on a date tonight, let alone what time Benito was supposed to be picking me up.

Lifting my brow, I asked, “How did you know that?”

“A text from him popped up on your phone.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’m gonna go change out of this.”

Hailey skipped away to the dressing room.

I was just about to head back in myself when Hollis’s voice stopped me.

“Wait.”

I turned around, and before he could say anything, I said, “I hope you know I was specifically trying not to advertise what my plans were tonight.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I know.”

I crossed my arms. “What were you going to say?”

“I just wanted to say thank you again for this. After the way things ended yesterday, you could have easily told me to fuck off.”

“I’m doing this for her, not you.”

“I know that. But thank you for not taking my mistake out on her.”

“Mistake, yeah. Every time you’ve gotten close to me, you chalk it up to one big mistake.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He looked down at his shoes then back up at me. “Look, I’m sorry about yesterday. Clearly I don’t know how to handle myself around you.”

I laughed angrily. “I’d better go before she hears us.”

When Hailey and I returned, holding the two dresses we’d chosen, I was surprised to see Hollis still waiting for us. He looked like a fish out of water, deep in thought, staring off into a rack of Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses.

The three of us moved to the register, and Hollis stood close behind me while I paid for Hailey’s dress with his credit card and used my card to pay for my own. When he breathed out, I could feel it on the back of my neck; that’s how close he was.

That simple breath brought back the memory of what it felt like when he devoured my lips, how amazing it was to be ravaged by him in the least gentle of ways.

Hollis was quiet as we walked back out of the mall. When we got to the parking lot, he still seemed lost in his own mind.

He scratched his head. “I can’t seem to remember where I parked.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate,” I said. “I’m right over there. I guess I’ll see you guys on Monday.”

Hailey gave me a hug. “Thanks again, Elodie.”

I squeezed her. “Have the best time at the opera. Let me know how it is. I’ve never been.”

She pulled back. “Really?”

“Most kids don’t grow up getting to do such fancy things. And many adults don’t get to, either. You’re very lucky.”

“I know.” She smiled.

I smiled, too. I knew Hailey appreciated the life she’d been given as of late.

We both turned to Hollis, who still looked like he was trying to figure out which direction to go. He really had forgotten where he’d parked.

“Drive safe back to the city,” I said.

“If we can find the car!” Hailey laughed.

I left them before I knew whether they’d reunited with Hollis’s vehicle.