Chapter 14: Breaking the Fantasy

I twist around. I was so focused on my thoughts that I never even noticed Rafe coming up behind me in the reflection of the mirror.

"No," I say quickly. "I can't let you - "

"It's already done," he replies, handing his credit card to the salesgirl. Short of lunging after her and knocking it out of her hand, I can't stop him.

"I can't let you pay for this," I tell him.

"Why not? I was the one who invited you to the party at the last minute. If I'd planned ahead, you would have been prepared and brought your own dress. It's only fair that I pay for the inconvenience."

I start to argue that what he's spending is far, far too much for a little inconvenience, but before I can, he steps closer, and all the air rushes out of my lungs.

"I insist," he says, sliding his hand up the side of my neck. He finds a bit of hair that has escaped from the sparkling clip and twists it around his finger. "Consider it a gift."

And that's when I realize that I'm never going to be able to tell this man