Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 29

|| JACKIE ||

|| Tuesday, December 31st ||

I'm currently wandering around the dress shop with Charlotte's purse in my hand. I watched Charlotte walk in and out of the dressing room. She tried on four different dresses that she had a semi-like for. Although, after wearing and walking in them, she wasn't that fond of the fabric style.

Charlotte's been doing better. She's perkier after Saturday. She realized how much she's been sulking in her thoughts and wanted to do something about it. The New Year's party is tonight, and I can read the nervousness from her body language.

Aunt Avery was right. We did need some time out to have fun and enjoy the remainder of this holiday vacation. After some conversations with the family, Charlotte's been able to feel more okay as the days go by. She hasn't spoken to her parents, and she's nervous that tonight might be the night, but I swore to her that I wouldn't leave her alone at the party.

I took my mind off the past few days to admire the rack of belts for over ten minutes. I heard the curtain open, and I watched Charlotte step out in a two-piece black dress. After a few walks and a couple of twirls, she scrunched her face, shaking her head.

As the curtains closed, I moved on to a section full of shirts and jeans. I heard the curtain open a couple of minutes later as I admired the clothing fabric.

"What do you think about this one?" Charlotte asked.

I turned my head, and I was speechless. The dress was burgundy, which was one of my favorite colors too. It was a one-shoulder dress that fell below her knees. The fabric hugged her body perfectly, and I was in amazement of how beautiful my girlfriend looked.

My eyes are wide open, and I felt as if I was in a secluded fashion show. I let out a sigh, "Wow."

"Too much?" she asked, looking worried.

"Umm, no? Maybe?" I asked out loud, trying so hard not to contemplate my answers. My hands went to my lips, letting my nails graze my teeth.

She chuckled and walked out a little further. I watched her spin in her heels, as I looked at the dress moving with her body.

"I'm speechless," I said.

"Is that a good thing?" She chuckled.

I smiled along with her, "You look really, and I mean really sexy in that. I should prepare myself to be jealous at this party," I said.

"You don't need to be. I'm already yours."

I smiled wider and kissed her before she went back to change into her regular clothes. We went to the check-out aisle, and she bought the dress. I held her bag after placing my fedora on my head as we exited the store.

We went to other areas of the mall as Charlotte shopped for heels, but before reaching the shoe section, she pulled me in a different direction, "You can wear this, match your color with mine," Charlotte smiled.

She held a button-up shirt that was in a lovely burgundy color too. "You aren't going to give up until we match," I said.

She shook her head, "It'll be fun. We don't get to do this. Actually, we never did this. Match with me," she pouted, holding the shirt closer to my body.

"Okay, but I'm paying for this," I said, and she pouted again.

"Please?" she asked, letting her hand wrap around my waist before making our way to the changing room.

"Let me try it first," I said, and she nodded, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Honestly, I've rarely seen Charlotte this perky. She's always happy, but never this excited about something like a New Year's party. Charlotte might be masking her nervousness and trying to have fun. I let out a silent sigh as I finished buttoning up the shirt.