“Killian…”
I leaned in. kissed the spot right under her jaw line.
Elara cleared her throat behind us. “I’m going to give you two a moment before you start charging admission.”
The door clicked shut. Chloe let out a shaky breath. “She’s going to think we’re perverts.”
“Probably.”
I ran my hand over the fabric again—just once, just to feel the curve of her hip—then stepped back. “We should buy the dress,” I said.
Chloe looked down at herself, then back at me. “Yes, we definitely should.”
Chapter 26: Chloe
Elara sat in the back of the rented SUV next to the bags that wouldn’t fit in the trunk. She had bought me everything—the clothes, the bags, and shoes that cost more than some people made in a year. I knew I’d pay her back once I got my inheritance. I didn’t want to feel like a charity case; she was so exceptional that I wanted to be her equal.
She caught me looking at her and smiled through the rearview mirror. How was she so powerful and so down-to-earth at the same time? When she first showed up, looking at her made me feel like I was back in the attic with Olivia. I felt even smaller when she asked me my bra size and I didn’t know it, but she was so nonchalant about it. There was no pity. I didn’t feel like a project or a tragedy. All day, she had guided me effortlessly.
It was hard not to burst into tears under the weight of her grace. I saw the reflection of the woman I could be in her. I had to look away before the tears actually fell.
Killian was watching me as we pulled to a stop. Elara had invited me to dinner, and Killian didn’t want to leave my side.
“I can stay,” he said for the third time.
I heard Elara open the door and step out.
I smiled at him. “Go. Let me have this.”
That wasn’t what he wanted to hear; I could tell. I leaned over the console, pressing a soft kiss to his jaw. His hand came up as if he wanted to hold my face there and keep me close, but he caught himself.
He exhaled slowly. “Text me if you need anything.”
“I won’t,” I said lightly.
His eyes narrowed. I laughed, sliding out of the car before he could argue again.
The night air wrapped around me the second my heels hit the pavement. I was looking everywhere. I hadn’t been anywhere but the attic and doctors' offices since I was ten, besides that one day Killian took me out. Downtown New Orleans on a Saturday felt like a different planet.
Music spilled out of every doorway. Laughter echoed down the street. The smell of fried food, alcohol, and something sweet I couldn’t name filled the air.
I stood there for a second. Just… stood there.
Elara touched my elbow lightly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “I just… I didn’t know my freedom would feel like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like I might float away.”
Elara’s mouth curved. “Stay grounded, pretty girl. It can be fun as fuck down here. Especially looking like you do right now.”
I caught my reflection in the glass of a nearby window. I was wearing a black silk blouse and leather shorts. My hair was pulled up into a tight bun that made my face look more exotic and my eyes look bigger. On my feet were gladiator sandals decorated with butterflies.
“I look like a naughty librarian,” I noted.
Elara laughed. “You look expensive. Now, let’s go eat and drink.”