When Crew stopped and looked at her, really looked, she watched his face fall, and all her outrage melted away. Dang the man for actually caring.
“I’m so sorry, Haley. I thought you just had a normal fear of flying, like most people. We’ll return by ferry.” His sincere apology soothed her, and what was better, she wouldn’t have to go back up into the sky!
Haley tried telling herself that her fears were irrational, but she just couldn’t let go. Even knowing that the chance of her plummeting to her death in a spiraling, smoking helicopter was almost nonexistent, it would still be her luck to be that one-in-a-whatever number.
“OK. Where are we?” She finally realized that they must have returned to the mainland, but she had no idea what city they were in.
“We’re in Long Beach. There are some great boutiques on the island, but I want to take you to some better stores to find a few knockout outfits, and most especially a killer dress,” he said.
Haley was worried. She’d been acting like a brat when she told him he’d have to pay, but she knew the prices in some of the stores in this area, and she didn’t want to end up blowing ten grand on some glad rags. She’d feel much better just heading to a mall and finding a Macy’s. They had great clothes and wouldn’t cost her a fortune.
No matter what she’d said on the island, she wasn’t making him pay for her clothing.
As he took her hand, leading her to another car, a nice Mercedes GL with a driver holding the back door open, she felt a knot in her stomach. She wouldn’t fight with him again unless there was a reason to.
An hour later there was definitely a reason!
*****
“Are you kidding me?! There is no way we are shopping on Rodeo Drive. I may not be the most worldly of people, but I’ve watched enough movies to know that I can’t afford to look at even the panties in any of these shops!” Haley thundered.
Crew figured he might want to let the panty comment go. Haley was fit to be tied. Anyway, he found the fire flashing from her eyes rather amusing. He also wanted to get her the perfect dress, and there was no better place than the beautiful and celebrated Rodeo Drive.
“You’re not paying, remember? That was the deal,” he reminded her.
“I wasn’t serious, Crew. I demand that you call the driver back right this minute. I don’t think people like me are even allowed to walk in front of these stores,” she hissed while tapping her foot. “Even though I’m not a hooker with a heart of gold.”
Damn, the woman was hot when she was fired up. He could press her against one of the pristine storefront windows right now and take her — well, he could if he were an exhibitionist. And wanted to have his mug shot plastered all over the Smoking Gun website.
The day was warm and her cheeks were flushed, and with her hair slightly mussed, she looked as if she’d just crawled from one hell of a lucky man’s bed.
Ignoring her Pretty Woman comment, he tried to reason with her. “Look, Haley, I’m on a mission. You can come easy or hard, but this is going to happen. I don’t change my mind once it’s made up, so what will it be?”
He waited while she seethed. She had no real choice — he’d kidnapped her for the afternoon. He’d just see whether she got over it or threw a tantrum. It was as much a test of her temperament as a mission for the perfect dress, and some indecent lingerie if he could sneak it in.
Finally, she blew out her breath, sent him one final glare, and then uncrossed her arms. It looked as if the battle was over.
“Fine. I’ll go, but I insist on paying.”
“No.”
“Then I’m not doing it.” He looked into her eyes to try and intimidate her into backing down, but it wasn’t happening. He liked her spunk. However, if she insisted on buying her clothes, he couldn’t take her where he’d originally wanted to. He wasn’t about to let her stubborn pride break her bank account.
Yes, she’d offered him money to be her teacher, but he’d done a thorough background check on her. She wasn’t poor, but she was living off an inheritance from her grandparents and what little money she made at her part-time job while attending school. Since she’d chosen to come on this trip she’d won, she most likely didn’t even have the part-time employment any longer. And when this ended, she’d need to make her inheritance last until she was finished with her schooling and could get a decent job.
“Fine.” Crew gripped her hand and began strolling down the street with her. Then inspiration hit. His sister’s best friend worked in one of the better dress shops. He’d pull her aside and make sure that she gave Haley a believable amount to pay while charging the rest to him. It was win-win for both of them.
Haley didn’t look convinced, but she went ahead and allowed him to lead her down the street. With both of them dressed casually, a few people turned up their noses, but he noticed Haley relax when she saw others strolling the beautiful street in similar apparel.
“Not everyone with money is a snob, Haley. That is something you must learn,” he said as they approached the store. He needed to discover why she had such a problem with affluent people, why she had such money issues. From the information he’d been able to gleam from her, he knew she’d grown up in a fairly wealthy home. She wasn’t poor, by any means. Then again, if she wasn’t smart, she could be within a couple years.
As they walked inside, he felt Haley’s muscles tense. Then, when Celia popped out and noticed him, her face lit up and she rushed over.
“Crew Storm! What are you doing here?” she squealed as she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a smacking kiss on the lips.
“Careful, Celia. You’ll ruin your reputation,” he said fondly as he returned her hug.
“I know. I know,” she said with a roll of her eyes, before her attention turned toward Haley.
“This is my friend, Haley. We’re looking for a few outfits and the perfect evening dress. Not something too over-the-top, but a dress that will make her feel like a million bucks,” he said.
Celia’s eyes gleamed. “I’d be glad to help you lighten that wallet a bit, Crew.”
“I’ll be paying,” Haley spoke sternly, then realized how rude she was being. “I’m sorry. I’m just a bit nervous. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Any friend of Crew’s is a friend of mine. I’ve known him since I was five years old. His sister, Brielle, and I are best friends. I only moved out to California four years ago. Same old sad story of wanting to make it big in Hollywood. Of course, it’s never happened.” She sighed dramatically, reminding Crew of what an excellent actress she was. “Instead, I’m stuck working in retail, but things could be worse. At least there’s a large collection of half-naked men I get to ogle on a daily basis.”
At those words, he felt Haley relax. He knew being around Celia would do the trick. She was a sweet girl, always had been. She needed to focus more, that was all. At one point, he’d been sure she and Tanner would end up together, but it had just never happened.
The next hour was a blur as Celia grabbed a variety of outfits, making Haley try each one on, then shaking her head every time. He had to agree. Sure, she looked nice in all of them, but none of them called to him yet. He wanted something that would pop. Though he didn’t know exactly what he was looking for, once it was found, he’d just know.