Savor You (Fusion #5)(42)

“These jeans are one hundred dollars,” I say, blinking quickly.

“Yep, and you’re buying them.”

I scowl and return to the dressing room. When I come out in another outfit, I shake my head no. “I don’t like it.”

“Why? It’s adorable on you. And the white looks fantastic with your dark hair.”

“It’s too tight on me.”

“It doesn’t look too tight. Remember, the baggy clothes aren’t flattering, Mia. If you don’t want to accentuate your weight, you can’t wear clothes that make you look bigger.”

“Says the fashion model.”

“Hey, I’m not a tiny girl either. Look at this.” She pulls her shirt up under her boobs. “I have a fat roll, and stretch marks from Ella. My hips are ridiculous. But I know how to dress so those aren’t the things you see. Trust me when I say, I don’t see the weight when you wear this. I see a beautiful, confident woman.”

“I guess I’m just used to always wearing baggy things.”

“I know, and it’ll take some getting used to. But you really do look amazing. I wouldn’t let you walk out of here in anything less.”

We choose about ten outfits and three dresses. My credit card is weeping as we move on to shoes and bags.

“Addie, I’m not paying this much for a handbag.”

She rolls her eyes again. “Mia, you’ve carried the same handbag since college. It’s not cute. It’s not even sort of cute. You carry a handbag every day. I’m not even asking you to buy a Chanel bag. Let’s start with Coach or Michael Kors. Kate Spade is adorable. They’re affordable too.”

She’s right. They are cute, and spending a couple hundred dollars on one is much better than spending the several thousand dollars that I know she and Cami spend on bags.

“You know, I was going to buy knives. I need knives. Instead I’ve bought more clothes than I’ve ever had in my whole life combined.”

“You don’t need more knives. You have a million of them. Stop pouting.”

“I like knives.”

“And you’ll love these shoes.” She hands me several pairs to try on. “How are things with Camden?”

“Really good.” I bite my lip as I slide my feet into the cutest black shoes I’ve ever seen. “I can’t wear these at work.”

“No, those are for dates with Camden,” she says with a wink. “Men like a girl in sexy shoes. And they don’t always have to be heels to be sexy.”

“Thank God because I’d fall and kill myself.”

“No you wouldn’t. But I know you like the flats. Tell me more about Camden.”

“He’s a nice guy. I don’t know if there’s more to say that you don’t already know. But it’s going well, and he makes me happy.”

“Good. That’s all any of us want for you, sweetie.” She smiles and piles up the boxes that we’ll be taking with us. “We did well today.”

“Shopping with you is expensive.”

“Well”—she smiles shyly—“thank you for the compliment.”

I snort and follow her to the check out. “Good-bye, knives.”

“I know how much money you make. You can still buy the knives.”





Chapter Twelve





Camden


I’ve never seen her like this. I’ve seen her laugh before, but not like this.

We’re at a comedy show in Portland that’s been sold out for weeks, but I pulled some strings and here we are. Third table back from the stage, we’re enjoying dinner and a drink while some comedian named Iliza talks about how women love fall, and all things pumpkin, and pinning nonsense on Pinterest.

Mia is laughing her ass off. Nodding. I take a photo of her just as she wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.

The show is just over an hour, and by the time it’s finished, Mia looks all worn out.

“She’s funny,” I say and enjoy my after-dinner drink.

“Oh my God, so funny,” she replies and sips her water. “I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.”

“You’re gorgeous when you laugh,” I inform her casually. Her eyes widen slightly and then she shrugs one shoulder, almost letting the compliment roll off her. “And your outfit is sexy as fuck. Did you go shopping?”

She nods happily. “Addie and I went this afternoon. She destroyed my bank account, but I figured that it was time for a wardrobe rehab. Especially since I’ll be on television more, and Addie is the best person to take shopping. She knows what she’s doing.”

“I have to agree. You look beautiful.” I lean in and kiss her bare shoulder. “Why is there a hole in the shirt where your shoulders go?”

“Because it’s the style,” she says with a laugh. “I think it’s supposed to be mysterious and alluring. Like, I’m going to be demure, but just in case you forgot, I have skin too. Here, I’ll show you just a little of it. On my shoulder.”

I’m laughing now and can’t resist leaning back in to kiss the shoulder in question. “It’s working. I definitely have a desire to see the rest of the skin that the shirt is hiding.”