“Or maybe it’s the hot guy taking me around town,” I shot back at him.
The crowds lessened as we walked further down the street. Tourists stood in front of store windows and posed. A tall woman with fashionable sunglasses and a tight dress that fit her body like it was made for her huffed as she maneuvered around a couple of student-aged kids.
When she came into full view, I noticed the extreme height of her stilettos that contributed to the illusion of her grandeur. A man opened the door for her, and she slid inside, away from the onlookers.
Luke led me around the people taking photos, and I glanced up at the sign for the store. “Gucci? That’s a pretty fancy brand.” I read the sign over the store across the street, recognizing it as well. “These are all pretty expensive stores.”
The feelings of inadequacy that nibbled at my joy of the day grew a little more. Part of my business in my family’s trade included knowing quality goods and their value. Every single store down this street carried a lot of clothing and goods worth far more than I possessed.
“Here we are.” Luke turned to enter into the Valentino shop. He waited for a young man to open the door for us.
My curiosity got the better of me, and I allowed my fiancé to guide me inside. Even the air seemed clearer and all of the general din from outside disappeared once the door closed. I got lost in the beautiful pieces of clothing displayed on elegant mannequins.
Bright jewel-toned tops were tucked into crisp cream pants. A little black dress hugged the plastic model’s curves with perfection. The only clothes I’d ever seen that rivaled the craftsmanship were those of Robin Westwood. Thinking about her old store and her promise to help me find or make my wedding dress made me a little homesick for a brief moment.
Luke joined me as I admired a dark blue dress. “That would look amazing on you. I can have them add that for you to try on.”
I scoffed. “It’s all very pretty, but there’s nothing in here that I can afford.”
“But I can,” he replied. Sensing my reluctance, he put his hands on both my shoulders and turned me around. “There’s nobody else in here. The store is all yours to choose from.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I did my best to swallow it. It took me a couple of tries before I could find my voice. “That’s very generous, but I don’t need anything from here.”
“Would you like to try another store?” he asked, concern wrinkling his brow. “Is there another brand you prefer?”
Heat rose in my cheeks as I noticed a store employee listening to us talking. Plastering a weak smile on, I strolled a little farther away from nosy ears.
My fingers floated over a rack of different hues of pink. “It’s such a nice gesture to want to buy me something, but you’ve done so much for me already.”
“I wanted to spoil you. Make this trip really special,” Luke said, his bottom lip curling into the slightest of pouts.
Tugging on the protruding lip, I lightly tapped his nose. “You’ve already done that. I like you playing tour guide to my tourist. Plus, you refuse to let me pay for anything.”
“That’s no different than back at your home when you get us food or drinks at the Tiki,” my fiancé countered.
I snorted. “It’s way different. First, there’s an entire ocean of a gap between the cost. Second, most of the time I get that stuff for free because Harrison owes me.”
Luke took one step back and frowned. “This isn’t going the way I planned. I just wanted you to have some nice things. That way, when we get to Perdaggia…” His voice trailed off.
My eyes widened in comprehension. “Oh, I get it now. Let me finish that sentence for you. That way, when we get to your place, Mommy and Daddy will be impressed. And you won’t risk being embarrassed by my cheap clothes and country manners.”
His silence spoke loud enough for me. Flustered, I stormed toward the door to leave, shoving past the employee who tried to open the door for me.
Outside in the sunlight, the foreign world around me seemed even stranger. I couldn’t remember which way we’d come from, and since Luke had been guiding all of our activities from the second we left the plane, I didn’t even know what hotel to get directions to.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly lost.
Chapter Six
Needing to get out of the posh district before the tears that threatened to fall made a spectacle, I chose to turn right and stomped away. A strong hand on my arm stopped my progress.
“Ruby Mae, wait,” Luke insisted. “I didn’t mean anything—”
“Yes, you did!” I shouted, turning on him and poking a finger into his chest.
A few people near us snickered and pointed at our public tiff. I dragged him by the hand around the corner and into a narrow alleyway.
“You know, I’ve had this ache inside me ever since boarding that private jet.” I stepped away from Luke’s reach, wanting to finish what I had to say without him distracting me. “To be honest, I think it’s been there for a while now, but I’ve been too afraid to talk to you about it.”
Luke’s brows furrowed, but he stayed quiet, giving me the space to keep talking.
“All the things you’ve kept from me. The life you’ve had. Your family.” I lifted my hand and showed him the ring on my finger. “Your sister. You didn’t share any of this with me. And now that we’re here, I feel this deep chasm stretching between us more and more.”
My fiancé had the good sense to appear remorseful. “That is not how I want you to feel.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep
