Five full minutes passed before Zara got up and pounded on the door. “Hurry up.”

“I can’t reach the zipper on this one because it’s so low.”

“I’m saying strike one for that dress without even seeing it,” Knox muttered.

Zara stepped inside to help her.

A lot of squealing ensued.

Then Zara opened the door. “Ta-da! This is one of those dresses you make an entrance in.”

Vivie strolled out in a pale blue satin and tulle dress. The style was modest in the front: cap sleeves, shirred satin panel on the bodice, a nipped-in waist, and a full skirt.

“Isn’t this dress to die for?” Zara exclaimed.

“Yes, you look stunning, Vivie,” Shiori said.

“It’s weird because I’ve never thought about it before, but this dress makes me feel like a princess.” She twirled and giggled.

Knox smiled softly. “You look awesome, brat.”

Vivie stuck her tongue out.

“But I’ve gotta be the voice of reason and ask to see the price tag.”

“But it’s perfect!”

“It’s not the only dress in the world. And Mom and Rick don’t have an unlimited budget to spend on one dress, sweetie. You know that.”

She fussed and adjusted the dress in the big mirror. “Okay, I looked at the price tag and it’s way more than I can spend. Even the babysitting money I have saved up can’t make up the difference.”

Shiori started to open her mouth to say she’d cover the difference because Vivie deserved that dress. But she felt Knox’s gaze burning into her as a warning.

Zara held her hand down to Vivie and said, “Low five.”

“No doubt.” She sighed and spun in the dress one more time. “Now I’m done shopping. Maybe I’ll sell my blood for extra cash.” She smirked at Knox in the mirror. “Or my body.”

“That’ll earn you five bucks,” Zara said.

Vivie smacked her. “Fine. I’ll put it back on the hanger. But I need to wallow in ice cream.”

“And French fries,” Zara added.

Knox sighed. “Ditch the dress and we’ll go to the food court.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

AFTER they’d been in the food court twenty minutes, Shiori said, “Where are the restrooms?”

“Back behind the taco place,” Vivie said.

“Thanks. Excuse me.”

Knox couldn’t help but watch Shiori walk away. As his eyes tracked her calves to those fuck-me shoes she wore, he wondered how they’d line up if he fucked her against a wall.

Zara snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He looked at her. “What?”

“You’ve got it bad for her. But watching you mentally stripping her in front of us is sorta gross, so can you tone it down?”

“I’ll try.”

“So Mom will be super-stoked you’ve got a girlfriend.”

His gaze moved to Vivie, who was dipping her French fries in her chocolate shake. “We’re keeping this quiet, remember?”

“Even from Mom? That’s bullshit. She worries about you, and this would make her so happy.”

“Why would Mom worry about me?”

“Because you’re thirty-six and you’ve never been married.”

“That’s not that unusual,” Knox said, trying not to get defensive. “I was engaged once.”

“That doesn’t count. You were, like, what? Twenty?”

“I think it’s fine if you don’t want to get tied down,” Zara said.

“Thank you, Zara.”

“But don’t you want to find your soul mate? And let everyone share in your love and happiness by having a big wedding?” Vivie said with a dreamy sigh.

“I think the princess gown infected you with the happily-ever-after virus.”

Zara snickered.

But Vivie wouldn’t let it go. “You don’t wanna have babies?”

“Not especially.”

“What?” Zara and Vivie exclaimed simultaneously. Then Vivie demanded, “Why not?”

“Babies are loud and smelly and demanding. They suck every ounce of fun and free time from your life. So no, I don’t see myself strapping on a diaper bag anytime soon.” He grinned. “Besides, I’m old, remember? Wouldn’t want people mistaking my kid for my grandkid.”

Shiori returned. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing,” Knox said sharply, mostly to his sisters so they’d keep their opinions about brides and babies to themselves.