Free Serenity Falls by Tiffany Aleman, Ashley Poch Page B

the
corner of my eye. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you, because I like to
laugh, and I like to laugh a lot. So, you better get used to it.” I give a
nervous laugh, trying to lighten the atmosphere within the truck.
    “What
did you need to get from the store?” he asks, successfully changing the
subject.
    “Oh…
um… I forgot my robe back at my dorm, so I need to pick up one.”
    “Is
that why I saw you hauling ass into the bathroom this morning?” He laughs.
Funny how the tables have turned, and now he’s the one laughing at me.
    “Well,
if you saw me, then you already have the answer to your question. Don’t you?”
If I looked in a mirror right now, I’m sure my face would be the color of a
beet. I can feel the heat penetrating off my skin. I can’t believe that, after
being so careful, I still got caught after all.
    “I
like the little shorts you sleep in,” he says in a quiet voice.
    Now
it’s my turn to change the topic. “I think it would be a good idea when we get
back if we put the saddle pads on while we walk Lucy and Jane in the corral.
You know, to ease them into having the added weight on their backs.” I pull
into a parking spot outside of Kris’ department store. “I hope you don’t mind
if we stop here first? We’ll go wherever you need after I pick up a robe,” I
say as I turn off and jump out of the truck.
    “Sounds
good to me.” 
    Wes
follows my exit and meets me around the front of his truck. Nonchalantly, he
drapes his arm over my shoulders and pulls me into his side. I try to act as if
I don’t realize how perfectly I fit tucked in next to him. I try to act as if
the musky, citrus scent of him doesn’t suck me in. I want  to act like there
isn’t something pulling me to him, but I’d be lying to myself if I said those
things didn’t affect me. Instead, I try to play it off. Playfully, I shove him
away and laugh as he tries to put some swagger in his step.
    We
drift through the decent sized department store, looking for the women’s
clothing section. Finally, we find it and I’m not greeted with many choices to
pick from as far as robes go.
    “Here,
try this one on.” Wes hands me a mauve colored robe that’s smothered in pastel
flowers. His lips are curled under and I can tell he’s trying not to laugh. My
obvious discomfort by hideous robes is his entertainment.
     My
lips curl, and my nose scrunches in disgust. “You’re joking right. That has to
be the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.” I attempt to hang it back on the rack
when Wes snatches it away from me.
    “Come
on, I bet it’ll look great on you.” He smirks at me in a teasing manner. Wes
removes it from the hanger and walks up behind me. He taps me on the shoulder
before murmuring close to my ear. “Just play along.”
    With
a shrug of my shoulders, I decide that if he wants a show, then that’s what he
will get. I spin around to face him before I yank the hideous robe out of his
hand. I reach out and seize a robe in every style before I grab his hand and
link his fingers with mine. Boisterous laughter escapes me at his stunned
expression as I pull him toward the dressing rooms. After we search for what
seems like endless minutes, I eventually find one. A blue, cloth chair sits in
front of a set of three full-length mirrors, all angled to give a person the
best view from each side behind them. I guide him to the chair and push him
into it. “Now, you just sit there and enjoy the show. I’ll be right back. Keep
your eyes closed until I tell you to open them,” I say, swaying my hips back
and forth, as I saunter into a dressing room and close the door behind me.
    Since
he chose this disgusting, pinkish colored robe first, I decide that it’s the
one he wants to see me in the most. I slip the robe on over my clothes, secure
the belt around my waist, and make my way out of the tiny cubicle. His eyes are
still closed when I step in front of the three mirrors. I catch a glimpse of
myself and