𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢 - 𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐚𝐮

𝐡𝐮𝐢𝐭

RICKY'S POV

"joanna!" nini's soft voice rang out into the small boutique. "we're here!" 

i could already tell i was going to hate this. 

sweet threads vintage clothing store and boutique, or whatever monstrosity of a name this place had, was a place that looked as if it were straight out of my nightmares. crew necks, jeans, sweaters, graphic tees, and basically everything else i wore in my youth lined one half of it, while skirts, floral dresses, tops, bottoms, and shoes lined the other half. the whole place smelled like maraschino cherries and cheep perfume. not too pleasant, truly. 

"this is so not what i signed up for." i muttered to myself, silently hopping that nini didn't hear. 

but of course she did. 

the pretty girl gave me a cheeky smile, bumping her shoulder against mine. "you never know what you sign up for when you sign with me, bowen." she giggled as i shoved against her shoulder harder. 

"well, you are trying to make me pull a full 180, darling. it's not going to happen." i joked back, but nini's face immediately sobered and her shoving stopped. her big brown eyes were gazing up at me, full of confusion, making me cock an eyebrow. "what?" 

nini's head tilted gently. "did you just call me darling?" 

my eyes widened in response. did i just call her darling? of course, it couldn't have been on purpose.... it probably just, slipped or whatever. 

"i guess i did." i muttered out. "sorry..." 

"oh no, don't be sorry!" nini exclaimed quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "i liked it..." 

she liked it? now it was my turn to blush, but i quickly shook my head to snap out of it. i wasn't doing this myself, not again. i don't think my heart could handle anymore loss than it already has.

"nina roberts, is that you?" a voice called out in the store, making nini's eyes light up and sparkle. 

"joanna, hello!" nini greeted while giving the woman a hug. 

she was a rather small lady; her platinum blonde hair was cut in a spiky way, and her bejeweled glasses sat high on her nose. she was decked head to toe in name brand clothing, the smell of cheep perfume getting stronger the closer she walked towards us. 

"hello, nina, it's nice to see you again." she spoke with a thick, french accent, leaning in to give nini a hug in greeting. "you look fantastic as always." 

i couldn't help but admire nini's beautiful smile she sent to the lady. it easily lit up this whole store. "i learned from the best!" she grinned, before gesturing to me. "joanna, this is richard. the one i told you about?" 

...she talks about me?

a shaky smile drew on my face as the intimidating (ly short) lady eyed me up and down. it wasn't until nini jabbed me in the rib that i remembered my manners. "it's nice to meet you, miss." i said quickly while sticking out my hand for her to shake. "please, call me ricky."

instead of shaking it, joanna simply eyed my hand before turning away. "needs work. follow me."

needs work?

 what was that supposed to mean? 

with my eyes wide in shock, i turned to see if nini's reaction was anywhere close to mine, but i frowned when i saw she was trying her best to stifle a laugh.

dang, these paris people hate me!

nini and i followed joanna through the long aisles of the store, passing by the huge racks of shirts and pants. everything was different than all the clothing stores i shop at; those usually had, like, three types of shirts but they come in many colors. this store was full of different designs, patterns, shapes, cut outs, everything. it was weird... i haven't been to a place like this since i was in my teens. not against my own will.