Piper’s steps pick up speed as we get closer to the door, and seeing her happy makes me happy. “I haven’t been here in a while,” she says as I pull open the door and wave her inside. “Maybe I can get a few new things for the penthouse as well.”
I smile at her lovingly. “You know if there is something you’d like, I can suggest many wonderful places where you can order whatever your heart desires.”
She shakes her head and leads me to an area where there are purses hanging off chrome racks, piled on one after another. “You need to touch things, feel them against your skin. You can’t always just know by looking at something on a computer.”
“Ahh,” I say, realization dawning. “This is where you’re wrong, solare. Once you’ve become accustomed to the finest things, you’ll know what it feels like before you touch it based solely on the material it’s made from.”
“Are you saying you’ve never just gone shopping and bought a pair of jeans?” she asks, looking at me with soft, almost sad eyes.
“Of course I have,” I respond, affronted. “I’ve been to the Gucci store many times.”
“You poor thing,” she says, brushing my jaw. “No wonder you’re such a snob. I think it’s time you live a little.”
She takes my hand and drags me through the store, stopping here and there to make me feel all these cheap materials she thinks are luxurious. Don’t get me wrong. There is real leather here, and silk even, but it’s not the top-notch quality to which I’m accustomed. This store isn’t even up to my alter ego Antonio’s standards.
I somehow need to stop her from giving Bianca the diaper bag she’s selected, without hurting her feelings or making a big deal of it. It’s cute to look at—black leather with yellow trim and lined inside by yellow satin, but we, the Outfit Simones, can spend a lot more than ninety-nine dollars on a gift for the Bedacholli-Doyle family.
As she fingers through a row of dresses, I slyly snap a couple of shots and send them off to Julie … Find me a replica more suited to my tastes. Would prefer a bee monogram added for personalization, and it’s a diaper bag, so make sure all materials are soft and durable. You have 4 days.
“What is that?” Piper asks, peeking at the text just as I hit send.
“Just doing a little shopping of my own,” I reply, giving her a pointed look. “Will you be open to considering my selection for a diaper bag if I can offer a suitable choice before you leave?”
“Are you suggesting I not buy this one?” She fingers the bag in her cart.
“Not at all.” I fluff her hair and inhale the clean, flowery scent. “I’d just like to offer an alternative, and the choice will be completely up to you.”
“Give it your best shot.” She smirks, tossing a dress into the cart. “I happen to think this bag is perfect, and Bee will love it.”
A fist wraps around my heart. “I love you.”
“I know,” she says softly. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Thank fu-ugh.”
Her elbow in the stomach cuts me off. “Be nice.”
I follow her as she leads us to the line, and we move up until we’re at the front. Like the gentleman I am, I place each item on the counter and produce my credit card when it’s time to pay. I also gather the cheap plastic handles together and lift the series of bags in one hand while taking Piper’s in the other. At the door, I pause and spin to my back, pushing it open so she doesn’t have to lift a finger.
Once on the sidewalk, Piper surprises me by going left. “One more store,” she says, casting a glance at my stupefied face. “I promise it won’t take but a minute.”
I huff, but I still follow behind her like a good little puppy dog. She doesn’t travel very far before disappearing inside a store. I pause and take in the small green tree emblem on the door before following her inside.
If I thought the other store was bad, it’s nothing compared to this nightmare. Even the air feels cheap. It scorches my throat and burns my lungs. I feel like I’m drowning in plastic no matter which way I turn. Everywhere I look, signs scream that every item in the store costs the same amount, and I feel like I might lose my mind.
“Dante.” Piper touches my arm, and I jump. “Are you okay?”
“It’s too much.” I shake my head. “I need to get the fuck out of here.”
“Stand outside while I pay,” she says softly, but instead of looking sympathetic, she looks like she’s fighting back a smirk.
My eyes narrow. “Do you think this is funny?”
“Yes,” she answers plainly, “but I’ll try not to laugh at you. Now, go. I’ll be out as soon as I pay for this card and gift bag.”
My mind spins as I stumble my way through the door and inhale the polluted outside air in large gulps to wash away the cheapness. “Fucking hell,” I mutter as I lean against the glass storefront. “Why did I agree to this shit?”
The door opens and my reason for everything steps out. Yeah, that’s why. I’d walk through fucking fire if she was standing on the other side. She’s new to this lifestyle, so if she needs to shop at these bargain basement stores while she acclimates herself to our wealth, then she can damn well do so.
I just won’t be joining her next time.
“Ready?” I ask, straightening and moving over to collect the bag from her. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh?” she asks, slipping the bag from her wrist to mine. “Did you just
