expected. Her designs were quite elaborate and delicate, involving many hours of stitching and beading by hand. She would need to knuckle down and work fast.
Not delivering on what she promised to Jasmine was not an option. Having those orders were a lifesaver for her. Not only was she able to let her creativity soar, but she was also getting paid good money for her handiwork. But on the flip side, she hadn't been able to set aside much time to look for another job.
If it was just herself she was supporting, she'd be fine for a while. But there was also Kenny. She just hoped Kenny's rehab bills wouldn't come in until much later. She and Sylvie would be hard pressed to find the money if the rehab centre demanded immediate payment. She sighed heavily at the thought.
Dylan stirred beside her, shifting to his other side before settling back into a deep sleep.
Carefully, she stretched and lay straight on her back. It was ironic that money problems were keeping her awake while her boyfriend—she guessed she could now call him her boyfriend—drove a luxury sports car and lived in an expensive apartment.
Quite frankly, that aspect made her uncomfortable. Her ex-boyfriend was also wealthy, perhaps even more than Dylan. He'd given her loads of presents and taken her on expensive holidays. But he'd also acted like he owned her. When she caught him in bed with that bitch she used to call a friend, the arrogant bastard had the hide to tell her she should be grateful he'd even considered going out with her. He rattled off the cost of the gifts he'd bought her as if they were reason enough to overlook his cheating ways. In the end, she'd returned every single item he'd given her. Even now she felt like she owed him something—and she hated that.
Well, she wouldn't let that happen to her and Dylan. For starters, she wouldn't accept too much from him. She'd rather they eat in than dine out too often, for example. And while she would be grateful to get the occasional gift, she wouldn't take anything a boyfriend of average means wouldn't be able to afford.
Except for the sex. She'd be more than happy to keep getting more of his way-above-average lovemaking.
With that gratifying thought, she fell asleep.
*******
Ari looked up from her dress patterns as Dylan came out of the bedroom looking bright and fresh from the shower.
"Are you working all day today? It's Sunday," he said.
"I have to. Jazzie's dress is very labour intensive. Plus, I still have to finish your mum's outfit for Faye's wedding."
"My siblings' nuptials are keeping you busy."
She smiled. "I don't mind. I love it."
"Well, I guess I better leave you to it. Can I see you sometime this week?"
"Are you asking me out again, Mr. Summers?" she asked in a flirty tone.
"I sure am, Miss Mitchell. I'll call you later, after I check my work schedule."
"If I call you, would you call me back?" she asked with mock seriousness.
"Am I still not forgiven for that?" he asked worriedly.
"If you call me tonight I'll forgive you," she said with a grin.
Dylan let out a relieved sigh. "Then I'll call you tonight," he said, bending down to give her a kiss. "By the way, you wouldn't mind if I invite Trey and Adam along to join us for dinner sometime, would you?"
"No. That would be good. They seem like nice guys, although Trey is a little funny. But don't tell him I said that," she warned.
Dylan laughed. "Both of them can be a bit funny, sometimes. I seem to recall you mentioning you find me funny, too."
She made a face. "You know what I mean. Anyway, they're your best friends, so I gather you're very close to them."
"Yes. We've been friends for more than fifteen years. We went to school together, then became business partners. Anyway, I'll tee up a date with them and let you know."
"I'm looking forward to it," she said with a sincere smile.
She walked him to the door, and he kissed her so sweetly it made her knees weak. She exhaled a great sigh as she closed the door behind
Not delivering on what she promised to Jasmine was not an option. Having those orders were a lifesaver for her. Not only was she able to let her creativity soar, but she was also getting paid good money for her handiwork. But on the flip side, she hadn't been able to set aside much time to look for another job.
If it was just herself she was supporting, she'd be fine for a while. But there was also Kenny. She just hoped Kenny's rehab bills wouldn't come in until much later. She and Sylvie would be hard pressed to find the money if the rehab centre demanded immediate payment. She sighed heavily at the thought.
Dylan stirred beside her, shifting to his other side before settling back into a deep sleep.
Carefully, she stretched and lay straight on her back. It was ironic that money problems were keeping her awake while her boyfriend—she guessed she could now call him her boyfriend—drove a luxury sports car and lived in an expensive apartment.
Quite frankly, that aspect made her uncomfortable. Her ex-boyfriend was also wealthy, perhaps even more than Dylan. He'd given her loads of presents and taken her on expensive holidays. But he'd also acted like he owned her. When she caught him in bed with that bitch she used to call a friend, the arrogant bastard had the hide to tell her she should be grateful he'd even considered going out with her. He rattled off the cost of the gifts he'd bought her as if they were reason enough to overlook his cheating ways. In the end, she'd returned every single item he'd given her. Even now she felt like she owed him something—and she hated that.
Well, she wouldn't let that happen to her and Dylan. For starters, she wouldn't accept too much from him. She'd rather they eat in than dine out too often, for example. And while she would be grateful to get the occasional gift, she wouldn't take anything a boyfriend of average means wouldn't be able to afford.
Except for the sex. She'd be more than happy to keep getting more of his way-above-average lovemaking.
With that gratifying thought, she fell asleep.
*******
Ari looked up from her dress patterns as Dylan came out of the bedroom looking bright and fresh from the shower.
"Are you working all day today? It's Sunday," he said.
"I have to. Jazzie's dress is very labour intensive. Plus, I still have to finish your mum's outfit for Faye's wedding."
"My siblings' nuptials are keeping you busy."
She smiled. "I don't mind. I love it."
"Well, I guess I better leave you to it. Can I see you sometime this week?"
"Are you asking me out again, Mr. Summers?" she asked in a flirty tone.
"I sure am, Miss Mitchell. I'll call you later, after I check my work schedule."
"If I call you, would you call me back?" she asked with mock seriousness.
"Am I still not forgiven for that?" he asked worriedly.
"If you call me tonight I'll forgive you," she said with a grin.
Dylan let out a relieved sigh. "Then I'll call you tonight," he said, bending down to give her a kiss. "By the way, you wouldn't mind if I invite Trey and Adam along to join us for dinner sometime, would you?"
"No. That would be good. They seem like nice guys, although Trey is a little funny. But don't tell him I said that," she warned.
Dylan laughed. "Both of them can be a bit funny, sometimes. I seem to recall you mentioning you find me funny, too."
She made a face. "You know what I mean. Anyway, they're your best friends, so I gather you're very close to them."
"Yes. We've been friends for more than fifteen years. We went to school together, then became business partners. Anyway, I'll tee up a date with them and let you know."
"I'm looking forward to it," she said with a sincere smile.
She walked him to the door, and he kissed her so sweetly it made her knees weak. She exhaled a great sigh as she closed the door behind
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