Professional Restraint

24 Mask

Ella

"Don't let Liam scare you girl, this city isn't that scary," Carissa says, grinning. "I know all the best places!"

She hooks her arm with mine and practically drags me through the hotel lobby to a waiting SUV out front. She may not be dressed to the nines like she was for dinner, but she manages to walk a fine line between fashion forward and casual comfort... a look that somehow would make me look homeless.

"I know, Liam, just..." I trail off, not knowing how to finish my sentence.

Is intense? Is over protective... Worries about me?

"Is Liam," she laughs, opening the back door for me and slides in after me. "I haven't known him as long as Terrance has, but I'm no stranger to his... quirkiness, so no need to explain."

"Good," I say with a sigh. "I don't think I could if I tried. The man's a mystery."

"You sure about that?" she asks with a sly smile. "From where I was sitting, you looked to have him wrapped around your little finger."

"How much did you drink that night?!" I chirp, feeling like my face may catch on fire.

"Nowhere near enough to be oblivious to THAT chemistry." She bumps her shoulder playfully against mine. "I'll drop it for now. This is a girl's day, after all."

"I thought we were just shopping?" I ask, raising a brow.

"Well... I thought after working as hard as you did, you deserve some pampering," Carissa says with a pout.

I laugh at her theatrics and struggle to find a reason to shut her down. She's not wrong. We did put in a lot of long hours at that crappy office. Kicking back might not be bad.

"I'm easygoing," I assure her. "You don't have to go to any great lengths for me. I'm just glad you could help me pick up something to wear."

"Pa-lease girl!" she drones. "You're doing me a favour. It's been far too long since I last had someone to have a girls' day with."

"That feels like a stretch," I scoff, but don't press her anymore.

Her driver drops us off at the front of a gigantic shopping mall, which makes my stomach sink. Sensing my apprehension, Carissa hooks her arm in mine and leads us in.

This isn't the first time I've been to a crowded mall, but I definitely prefer shopping in Sophia's closet. As Carissa marches us with a purpose towards her store of choice, we pass floor-to-ceiling glass displays with trendy, high-end fashions that Soph would love.

These two would be fast friends!

Her eyes light up, and we pick up the pace, making a hard left. "This is my favourite shop. Come on." She tugs me into a designer boutique. Edgy fashion hangs on mannequins in every corner and she quickly digs into the nearest rack.

I leaf through some dresses, looking for something to catch my eye. Really I need two dresses with Sophia's birthday party. Carissa squeals, pulling a silver sequin dress from the rack.

"I can find your size, too." She waggles her brows. My eyes skim over the flashy, scant fabric, and I just shake my head. I pull out a simple black dress with a conservative neckline that looks to go up the neck. Why is it that the two options here are either nun or way less coverage than I'm comfortable with?

"That's your style?" Carissa asks with a guarded tone. Her gaze shifts between me and the ultra-conservative dress.

"Not really?" I shrug, cramming it back. "But I don't think I'm brave enough to pull off that." Cringing, I point at the scrap of sequins in the palm of her hand.