Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(80)

“Why not?”

I smile radiantly. Is there anything about him not to like?





I usually go with Janine or Emma to this vintage shop. But never in a thousand years did I expect to bring Alexander shopping with me. I love this store. Despite shopping not being my favorite thing in the world, this place is like traveling back in time—it feels much more special than those soulless, overpriced, high-end brands that Emma loves. Here, they have many different styles and shapes, but mainly my favorite: the fifties fit-and-flare. Surprisingly enough, Alex seems to be in his element, scanning attentively through the dresses, the shoes, the styles, and the lengths…

“I didn’t know you liked shopping,” I tease, and unlike him, I can’t focus much on anything but him.

“I have three sisters. Believe me, I spent half of my life giving fashion advice.”

I giggle. Alex is so lucky to have siblings. I would’ve loved receiving advice from a brother or sister while growing up.

“Try this one,” he declares, putting a dress in front of me.

“This one? Really? It’s white.”

“And? White should look good on you, with your blue eyes and black hair.”

“Alex, white is only for brides.”

“Of course not. You are so antiquated sometimes, Ms. Van Gatt. A lot of girls wear white nowadays.” He glances around for the seller. “Miss, my apologies. Could you kindly give me your thoughts on this dress?”

The woman leaves the counter and comes over. “Hello. Sure.”

“Do you think this white dress is only for brides?” he asks.

The sales consultant chuckles. “No, of course not. This is a normal evening cocktail dress. Actually, it would look great on you, Miss.”

“See? Just try it on.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine…”

I’d already made up my mind not to wear white for the dinner at Emma’s. But I’ll try it on for the sake of making him happy.

I take the dress and go to the fitting room, while Alex takes a seat on the sofa in the middle of the shop.

After a good ten minutes, I fling the curtain wide open, and observing myself in the big mirror, say, “It’s terrible! I look like a bride.”

“Let me see.” Alex stands up, moves closer to me, and smiles radiantly. “You look amazing. A true angel.”

I lift an eyebrow and take a second look in the mirror, trying to find the “amazingness” of it. The white lace fit-and-flare dress is knee-length, with a rounded neck, a white satin ribbon wrapped around my waist, and lace half sleeves. Okay, granted I don’t look that bad, but it’s definitely not suitable for my birthday. “Alex, forget it. I’m not gonna wear this for my dinner at Emma’s,” I snap, staring intently at him in the mirror.

He chuckles, shaking his head, then wraps his arms around my waist, pinning his body against mine, and bends down to my ear. “This is not for your dinner, Ms Van Gatt.” My heartbeat starts pounding hard at the feel of his breath on my skin. “This is for us.” And my lips part in excitement picturing an “us” where he’d undress me and touch me like only he knows how. I’m speechless, eyes drawn to him in the mirror. “You won’t need anything underneath, just this dress.” Oh God. My heart fluttering at his words. I know why he wants white. This is meant to be worn before actually making love, before giving myself entirely to him. Holy shit.

“It looks wonderful, Miss,” praises the seller. “Your friend was right to choose it for you.”

I can’t stop laughing. “Thank you.” I wait for the seller to walk away, then turn to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. I smile brightly. “Alright, I’ll take it, then.” My eyes dart down to his lips and I kiss them instantly. Not sure if the seller is watching or not, but I couldn’t care less.

He doesn’t hold back from me either. Instead, he grabs me by the jawline and gives me another kiss, longer, deeper, more passionate, the type of kiss that makes me want to rip his clothes off and have him right now in this shop.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

I wonder if he’s thanking me for the dress, the kiss, or both. He takes a deep breath to cool down and goes back through the store, eyes scanning the hanging clothes.

“Do you need some more help?”

“Indeed. We’ll need another dress—this time a colorful one for her birthday party.”

“Sure, we have several styles. This one would look great on her.” The seller selects a black dress with embroidered pink roses. “I must say, it’s great to see men involved like this. I wish my husband would do the same, but he hates shopping.”

Alex smiles. “Ah, well, I’m very picky about clothing.”





Hudson Valley, November 30, 2019





I know it’ll happen during my birthday trip. Dad agreed to give me a week off, and Alex told me we will go somewhere, “a surprise,” he added. My white dress is ready, with matching heels too. I’ve read as much as I can about everything in between. I’m totally shaved, and yet I feel as insecure as ever. He’s been with so many mature and amazing women, has probably tried everything and beyond, and I? Well, I’ve done absolutely nothing. I decide to seek advice from an expert in the field, or at least the most knowledgeable person I know.