Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,46

The tray is beautifully arranged with a full assortment of silverware next to the plate. She’s even placed a single rose to the side.

It’s all so perfect that I’m instantly suspicious.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

Still smiling like a loon, Ariana claps her hands together. “I’m so happy you’re enjoying it. My man needs to keep his strength up!”

I take another bite of eggs while watching her bustle around the room straightening up. Ariana keeps things relatively neat but she’s never cared about whether clothes are in the middle of the floor before. It’s unsettling, watching her flit around like this.

Maybe she’s about to tell me her test results. I didn’t bring it up last night because it’s her news to share. She should be able to tell me when she’s ready. Making breakfast may have been her way of easing into the conversation.

I push the tray to the side and give her my full attention.

“What’s going on, baby? You’re full of energy this morning.”

She pulls a sweatshirt out of the closet and yanks it over her head. “We have a lot to do today. Didn’t I tell you? I really need to go shopping.”

“Shopping?” This is so far from what I expected her to say that I’m experiencing mental whiplash.

“Yes. Shopping. I would love for you to come with me. I’m so lucky to have a boyfriend now. Someone to vote on my outfits and tell me if my ass looks too big in each one!”

My mind is scrambling looking for a way out. That sounds awful and it’s exactly the kind of game that no man can win. If you say a woman looks good in everything they claim you aren’t paying attention. If you say something looks bad, then expect sulking for the rest of the night.

“You need me to go shopping? Isn’t that something you’d rather do by yourself?”

Her expression doesn’t change.

“Of course not, silly! I mean, we’re together now, right?” At my nod, she beams. “This is one of those things that couples do together. I’m so excited to do all the coupley-things!”

She’s talking so animatedly that I can’t stand the idea of interrupting her. But I’m still mentally reeling from this complete flip in her personality that seems to have happened overnight.

When we went to sleep, she seemed like her normal self.

Now she’s cooking and clapping and excited to go shopping? What the hell happened while I was asleep?

“You know I would do anything for you. If you want to go shopping, I guess we’ll go shopping.”

Ariana squeals. “Yay! Hurry up and get ready. I can’t wait to take you to all of my favorite boutiques so you can watch me try on everything.”

“Maybe not everything,” I mumble.

She claps her hands again and levels me with a look. The intensity in her eyes scares me a little.

“Everything.”

Three hours later, I’m about ready to tap out.

When Ariana said everything, she really meant every fucking thing in every fucking boutique in DC.

But every time I’m about to tell her we should go home, she looks at me with those big, hazel eyes and I can’t do it. She’s so happy right now. How can I take that away?

“Here we are!” Ariana crows excitedly, dragging me by the arm toward yet another store.

“You’re not tired at all, huh?” I’m hoping that at some point her feet will start to hurt or she’ll get hungry.

“Oh no. I’m just getting started.”

With that terrifying statement, she drags me through the door and straight toward the nearest sales associate.

The woman must be experienced because with one head-to-toe look, she’s clearly seen enough to decide that we’re serious shoppers. Maybe it’s the material of my linen shirt or the maniacal glee in Ariana’s eyes that tips her off. Then again it could be the huge shopping bags that Ariana is banging into everything that lets her know we won’t be a waste of her time.

“Hello. Welcome to Rapture. My name is Meredith. Is there anything I can assist you with today?”

Ariana squeezes my arm. “Yes. My hubby here is treating me to a shopping day. Isn’t that just the sweetest?”

My head whips to the side. Hubby? That’s new. On one hand I’m thrilled that she seems on board with this new direction in our relationship. When she invited me to stay the night for the first time, I was hopeful that it meant we could move forward. But this is completely unexpected.

The saleswoman’s eyes sparkle. “How generous. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“Surprise