The Love From Vengeance

323: FASHION FLIRTATIONS

ARIEL’S POV

I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my body, and I was getting ready for work. Yesterday, Andre agreed with me to take my spot back at his company. He was such a wonderful friend. If it were some folks, they’d go ahead to do something that was not on the right side.

Luke was walking around the room, making a phone call. I just stood, watching him until he was done. He let out a sigh since his talk on the phone was more of an argument than a conversation. But staring at me, he smiled.

“Is it just me, or do you look absolutely pretty whenever you step out of the shower?”

He walked closer to me.

“Oh really, you think so?”

“You haven’t noticed?” he raised an eyebrow. Oh, right, I forgot. You can’t look at yourself unless you go and stand close to a mirror.

“There’s a mirror right there.” I gestured towards the mirror fixed on the wall in the

room.

“Go take a look at yourself then.” Luke grinned at me.

I sighed and moved towards the mirror. The cool air of the room contrasted with the warmth still radiating from my skin. Luke followed closely behind, his presence a

comforting fervor at my back.

Standing in front of the mirror, I caught our reflections. The contrast between my towel–wrapped form and his casual, everyday attire highlighted the intimacy of the

moment.

Luke’s hands found their way to my shoulders, his touch gentle. Our eyes met through the mirror; his gaze was soft yet intense, making my heart flutter.

“See?” he said quietly, his voice soothing to the fullest. “Absolutely stunning.”

the smile that spread across my

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

special

the small space between us. “It’s not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head was just over my shoulder. It’s you. The mirror

in his voice, coupled with the affection in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial embrace. Our reflections in the mirror–a snapshot of our

aspect of us standing

reflected back the depth of our connection, the silent communication and understanding that had grown

to meet my eyes directly, an unspoken

the air. The world seemed to narrow

light casting

found a profound sense of peace and mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands on my

the love, and the shared life that seemed

a gentle squeeze of my shoulders, a wordless promise of his own–to be there, to support, to cherish.

I realized that no mirror was needed to see the beauty of what we had together. It was right there, in the way we stood, in the way

that, I had to tell Luke about me trying to choose a dress for work today, and guess what! It didn’t take long before Luke rummaged through my bag, a goddamn grin right

have here,” he muttered,

up for inspection.

me you’re not going to suggest that I

the offending dress over his

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

my lesson the last time.” He continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one more outrageous than the

my head in mock dismay. “I think- you’re secretly enjoying

charged,” he admitted with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s

at the office.”

of his

Let’s aim for something more subtle,

But where’s the

underneath the bag.

as I took the dress from him, inspecting it with a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,” I declared, holding it up against