Lastly (L.T.)

Chapter 27

I was nearly in heaven as soon as we walked into the shopping center. I had never been anywhere like this, rows of stores lined the walls, each more elegant than the last. I walked happily by Louis's side, taking in everything with a smile. He offered me his arm again as we walked and I took it. 

I didn't know why he always preferred to give me his arm instead of just taking my hand. It was old fashioned and I was pretty sure he was the only guy who still did it, but I guessed that was why I liked it.
Louis rarely acted anything like a normal person his age...speaking of which...I had no actual idea what his age was. He looked to be about the same age as me, but Jay had never told me Louis's age when he had given me information on him. I guessed he was probably in his mid to late twenties, but I wasn't sure.

"Louis," I started, turning to him. I was surprised to find him already staring at me while I had been looking at the stores and smiling. I tried not to read too much into his gaze. "How old are you?"

"Twenty six." He answered simply, "why do you ask?"

I shrugged, "it just occurred to me I never knew how old you were and I've known you for a month."

"How old are you?" He asked in return.

I was surprised he didn't know already, he seemed to have plenty of information on me without my telling him.

"Twenty two." I responded shyly, embarrassed to admit I was so much younger than him.

He didn't seem to mind though, he just nodded.

We continued walking until I caught my eye on an Ann Taylor store that looked like it would fit the persona of somewhere someone with a rich husband and expensive taste would shop. It was the perfect store for Violet Mason.

"This one?" Louis asked, noticing the direction my eyes had turned.

I nodded, letting Louis lead us into the store without breaking the link between our arms until we were in the shop.

The store was virtually empty except for the old, bored looking clerk behind the desk who waved at us kindly before returning to a game on her phone.

I scanned the rows of clothing, my mind swirling with different outfit possibilities for Violet. I pulled a beige pants suit out, pairing it with a light purple top, so that I would have at least one outfit with pants, the rest were likely to be dresses.

Louis trailed behind me silently, letting me enjoy my fashion heaven. I found several short dresses, in a purple that matched my eyes, a velvet red and a black. I made sure they were loose skirts so I could fit a knife underneath them if I needed.

I loved the feel of the different fabrics in my hands, even though I wasn't shopping for my style, I was still beside myself. I had never had the money or time to just spend on something I enjoyed like this. It was wonderful, and my awe was clearly splayed over my face.

"You'll need shoes too." Louis pointed out from behind me, breaking his silence. He leaned forward beside me to point to the shoe area. He was close enough that his scent filled my nostrils and I tried to pretend it didn't drive me crazy. Everything about him was intoxicating.

"I'll try these on first." I said, stepping away from him with the pile of clothing and ignoring the wash of sadness I felt over his earlier decision to keep distance between us. He was right, I knew, but that didn't mean I didn't miss the feel of him when he was right in front of me.

I found an open changing room and stepped inside. Louis leaned against the wall in the hallway of changing rooms across from me.

As soon as I locked the door I felt my phone buzz and I checked it.