Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 81

Mallory

I'm flipping through a clothes rack, my mind still reeling from the unexpected visit of Adam's mother. Kylie sidles up beside me, eyeing the garments. "And she just showed up with a ring for Adam to propose to some girl?"

I nod, my fingers absentmindedly skimming over the fabric. "Yeah, that's exactly what happened."

"That's fucking messed up. It's a miracle Adam is not some psycho," Kylie exclaims, her frustration evident. I let out a weary sigh. This isn't just meddling anymore; it's a whole new level of intrusion.

I pull a dress off the rack, examining it closely. "I know," I confess, my gaze fixed on the fabric in my hands. I hold it up for Kylie to see, "What do you think?"

Kylie scrunches her nose and shakes her head, "That color on you? No, honey, it will wash you out."

I chuckle, hanging the dress back up, and continue browsing. "I'm scared, Kylie," I admit quietly. "Adam's family is very powerful. It scares me to think what she would do to make me leave Adam."

Kylie's expression softens, and she places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Yeah, it sounds scary. His dad is cool, though? Right? I mean, he likes you?"

I recall the kind and welcoming demeanor of Adam's father when I first met him. A true gentleman, unlike his wife. How did he end up with that batshit crazy woman? I bite my lip; I shouldn't be talking like that about Adam's mother.

How did he end up with that crazy woman?

"He seemed to like me. At least, he hasn't told Adam otherwise. I just hope he'll be able to help if the situation goes south."

"So, what's the plan?" Kylie asks as we browse through the racks of clothes.

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "We will visit them this weekend. We'll go on Saturday, have dinner with them, and leave Sunday morning," I explain, outlining the plan that Adam and I devised last night. Adam talked to his father, and he agreed to the visit. Simple enough on paper, but my anxiety is bubbling beneath the surface. A lot could go wrong, and I can't shake the feeling of unease.

Kylie nods thoughtfully, her eyes scanning the selection of dresses. "We have to find you something nice to wear; classy and sexy."

I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Just classy, maybe?"

Kylie clinks her tongue and grins mischievously. "Classy for the parents, sexy for Adam! You gotta keep the romance alive, girl."

We keep browsing through the racks, and Kylie suddenly holds out a fiery red dress, its vibrant hue catching my attention. "How about this one?" she suggests, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It'll look great with your skin tone and hair."

I scrunch my nose as I take in the bold color of the dress. "Hmm, I think it's a bit too much," I reply, shaking my head.

Kylie pouts playfully, but then her eyes light up with a new idea. "Okay, how about this?" She holds up a sleek, black dress with an elegant cut. "Classy, elegant, but still sexy. What do you think?"

I take the dress from her hands, examining it. The fabric is soft and flowing, with a tasteful slit along the leg. "I like it," I admit, smiling at Kylie.

"Girl, you have to try that on," Kylie insists, excitement twinkling in her eyes as she thrusts the black dress into my hands.

I give her a skeptical look. "You really think it'll work?"

Kylie nods fervently. "Trust me, it's going to look stunning on you. Classy for the parents, remember?"

With a sigh, I head towards the fitting rooms, dress in hand. As I undress and slip into the sleek fabric, I can't help but feel a flutter of nerves. The mirror reflects my image, the black dress hugging my figure in all the right places. The elegant cut accentuates my curves, and the slit along the leg adds a touch of allure without being too revealing. I'm pleasantly surprised.

"Okay, Kylie, you might be onto something," I call out from the fitting room.

She grins mischievously. "Told you! Now, come out here and let me see."

I step out, feeling a bit self-conscious. Kylie's eyes widen, and she claps her hands together. "Mallory, you look amazing! That dress was made for you."

I can't help but smile, a surge of confidence washing over me. "You think so?"

Kylie nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Adam won't know what hit him."

I grin, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks, Kylie. You have an eye for fashion."

"You better believe it," she says with a wink. "Now, let's find the perfect shoes to complete the look. We want Adam's jaw to hit the floor when he sees you."

Kylie and I dive into the realm of shoes and accessories. We scour the boutique for the perfect pair of shoes to complement the ensemble. Kylie spots a pair of strappy heels with a subtle silver accent, and I immediately fall in love with them. They add a touch of glamour without overshadowing the elegance of the dress.

"These are it," Kylie declares, and I nod in agreement.

As we move to the accessories section, we search for the finishing touches. We pick out a pair of dangly earrings that match the dress's subtle glamour and a simple, sleek bracelet to adorn my wrist. Kylie insists on a small clutch to complete the look.

I pay for my purchases, grateful for Kylie's unwavering support. God, this whole situation with Adam's mother is nerve-wracking, but having Kylie by my side makes it a bit more bearable. Thank goodness Adam was okay with me confiding in Kylie about his parents. I don't know how I would get through this without her.

Exiting the boutique with bags in hand, Kylie and I decide to take a break and head to a nearby café for lunch. We find a cozy spot on the outdoor terrace, shopping bags scattered around us.

"Cheers to surviving crazy in-laws," Kylie says, raising her glass of iced tea.

I chuckle, clinking my glass against hers. "Cheers, indeed. And thanks for helping me navigate this fashion minefield."

Kylie grins. "Anytime, girl. Fashion emergencies are my specialty."