You're His New Neighbor

Three

"You're going to take me out shopping?" You raised your brows at him, "Alright. Since this is your event, why don't you pick out my dress. I'll wear whatever you choose." You challenged him, wondering what his taste in dresses would be like, if he'd know how to dress your body type, or if he'd pick a color that would suit you.

John's eyebrows shot up, surprised by the challenge but also interested by it. The idea of picking out a dress for you was outside his usual wheelhouse, but he felt a certain excitement in it.

"Me? Pick out your dress?" he repeated, a roguish grin spreading across his face. "You're a brave woman, entrusting a former soldier with your dress. But I accept."

The thought of picking something that would hug your curves and complement you sent a rush through him. To know people would see you in something he chose for you made him think possessive thoughts he didn't feel like he had a right to. Yet.

"We can go this weekend, if you're up for it," he said. "There's a place in town that should have just what we need. And I'll make sure to pick something that does you justice, don't you worry about that."

His mind was already racing with images of you in different styles, but he kept his expression neutral.

The thought of spending a day with you outside of the house renovations, in the normalcy of the civilian world, was even better. "Plan for Saturday, then?"

SATURDAY MORNING

You knocked on his door, bright and early on Saturday morning. In all honesty, you were a bit nervous to see what he had in mind for you. You held a hot chocolate for you and a black coffee for him, both in to-go cups from the little cafe just a few blocks down from your houses.

John's door swung open surprisingly quickly after your knock, with him standing there in well-fitted jeans and a black t-shirt that did justice to the parts of him you'd come to not-so-secretly appreciate.

He had a cheesy smile plastered on his face, the kind that reached his eyes and gave away just how excited he was. It was almost boyish, and you couldn't help but smile back.

"Morning, love," he said. There was that damned pet name again. You felt yourself melting even in the freezing air. He took the black coffee from your hands with a grateful nod. "You're a lifesaver. I was just about to make one of these."

He grabbed a coat from his rack and stepped out, closing the door behind him with a soft click. "Ready for our little adventure then?" he asked, sipping at the coffee as he directed you down the sidewalk.

"Got a few places in mind I reckon might have what we're after," he shoved his free hand in the pocket of his coat, his breath - warmed even more from the hot coffee - curled around his face while he spoke. "And don't worry, I've done some research. I'm not going in completely blind."

"John Price did research on dresses? I'm curious to see what you typed in the search, or did you go dark ages and use out-dated magazines?" You teased him.

You walked next to him, bundled up in your own coat and fuzzy boots, nearly having to power walk to keep up with his long strides.

John chuckled, a look of feigned offense on his face. "Oi, I'll have you know I'm not completely hopeless. The internet is a great resource when used correctly," he had a hint of mock-defiance in his tone. "But I did consult a friend or two, just to make sure I wasn't going to embarrass us both."

As you continued your walk, he noticed your quicker pace to match his and without a second thought, he slowed and placed a warm, sturdy hand on the small of your back, guiding you closer to his side.