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.”

help the smile that spread across

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

“I suppose the mirror does add a special touch,”

laugh resonated through the small space between us. “It’s not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head was just over

his voice, coupled with the affection in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial embrace.

physical aspect of us standing there. It

depth of our connection, the silent communication and

reflection to meet my eyes

seemed to narrow down

with the early morning light casting a

small, seemingly inconsequential moment, I found a profound sense of peace and mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands on my shoulders, I felt grounded, as if everything in my life had led me to this point of greatness and elation.

the compliment but for the comfort, the love,

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

was right there, in the way we stood,

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

what we have here,” he muttered, pulling out a dress and holding it

up for inspection.

me you’re not going to suggest that I

dress over his

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

search, pulling out dresses of varying colors

I exclaimed, shaking my head in mock dismay. “I think- you’re secretly enjoying this.”

grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But hey, at

at

laughed, swatting the dress out of his hand. “I’d blind everyone within a ten–mile

Let’s aim for something more subtle,

fine. But where’s the

underneath the

inspecting it with a critical eye. “Now we’re