Take The Chance (A Limitless Novel) [Book 1]

Thirty-Two

I was standing over my bed the next day, staring at the white box with the 'Burberry' logo printed in gold. I didn't know what it was, but I did have a faint idea.

I'd answered the front door after having a shower, finding that I was the only one home. At the door was Tanya's assistant, the box in her hands and a forced smile on her face. She handed me the box and an envelope, before she turned back to her car. I'd kicked the door closed and headed straight back to my room, wondering what the hell it was.

I took a deep breath and picked up the envelope, opening it and finding a piece of paper inside. On the paper was boy's handwriting and I had to guess it was Jake's, because I didn't think Caleb, Tom or Dean would be sending me things. It read 'Wear this, I'll be home soon for you', and nothing else was on the small piece of paper. No indication that it was from Jake, apart from the message, and it made me realise that I couldn't even distinguish his handwriting. I thought I had these big, huge feelings for someone I didn't even know that well. It almost made me laugh out loud. Almost.

Instead I pulled the lid off the box, pulled the tissue paper out of the way, and found a light blue A-line lace dress with a high neckline and long sleeves. I picked the dress up, the material sliding through my hands and as light as a feather. It was obvious that it was an expensive dress, and a look at the tag gave me my answer. I dropped the dress back into the box like it was made of acid, shocked by how expensive it really was. It was worth more than the available funds in my bank, it was more than double the amount of money in my bank.

I stood and stared at the box for what felt like ages, knowing that I couldn't wear it. I wasn't going to let Jake spend that much money on me, especially when it was just for a dress. I wasn't in this for the money, and I wasn't going to give anyone that impression. A look at the clock on my phone told me it was just past eleven in the morning, and while I didn't know what time Jake would be back, I started to pull on jeans and a jumper so I could go buy my own dress.

I ran down Jake's street with my wallet in my hand, thankful for the little amount of money in my bank account. I dashed into the store I'd found my dress I'd worn to my exhibition, hoping that they had another dress with an affordable price tag. I looked through the racks of clothing quickly, before I found a nice ivory dress that was tight to the skin, had long sleeves and a deep cut v-neck. The price tag made my mood lift up and even made me smile slightly, it was less in price than the dress that Jake had brought me by more than an eighth. I paid for the dress and quickly rushed out of the store, running back to Jake's house. I burst through the front door, panting, to find the four boys standing around and waiting for me. They were all wearing suits and they all looked sexy as all hell. The suits looked expensive, fitting in right the places and showing that they were tailored to their own bodies.

Caleb was staring at himself in the mirror, fixing his already perfect hair. Dean was on his phone, leaning against the glass balustrade. Tom was fiddling with his cufflinks, trying to loosen them. Jake stepped forward, a worried look on his face because I wasn't already dressed. He looked at my hand, where I was holding the shopping bag, and raised his eyebrows with a frown on his face.

"I'll be two seconds," I breathed, moving past all of them and taking the stairs two at a time. I heard someone climbing the stairs after me and knew it was Jake, so I didn't bother to close my door as I stumbled into my room. I kicked my shoes off as I threw my jumper over my head, listening as Jake closed the door after himself.

"You didn't like the dress?" he asked, sounding slightly hurt as he helped me pull my jumper off over my head. I stood in front of him in nothing but a nude strapless bra and jeans, and yet it felt like one of the most natural things.