“Me first,” Drew announced when we pulled up in front of the Bellagio.

My brows rose. “Excuse me?”

“Listen, I know it sounds selfish, but really, I’m being practical. We’ll grab my clothes first. I know the shops, I know where I’m going, and I know precisely what I plan to wear. Then we’ll have the rest of the time to focus on you.” He grinned and shrugged as he held out a hand to help me from the back of the car.

I took his hand in mine and frowned. “So soft.”

“Soft is bad?” He frowned.

“Yes. Soft implies you’ve never had to work a day in your life.” I swallowed hard. My mouth had made it nearly impossible for me to end this conversation without sounding judgmental. “I’m sorry. Just another reminder we come from completely different worlds. Not that it matters.” I could feel my cheeks warming.

Drew nodded. “It’s true.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You know, Harry tried to tell me not so long ago that I needed a sense of purpose. I don’t suppose your coaching covers any of that?” He looked at me from his peripheral vision and I wondered if he meant it.

“If you’re serious, I’m happy to help you figure things out. My degree is in social work and counseling. I’m actually more than qualified…” My voice trailed off and I realized I probably sounded ridiculous to him.

“That’s good. I like that.” He chuckled. “After a lifetime of having nothing but the best, I hope you didn’t expect me to lower my expectations now.”

“Of course not,” I demurred.

After hooking my arm through his, Drew confidently led us to the Armani store. Within minutes he’d told the salesman what he wanted and the man had disappeared to assemble his wedding attire. While we waited, we browsed through the store.

“I suppose it was too much to hope for, thinking Armani might have something for you too,” he joked and added an exaggerated sigh.

“I’m sorry.” I looked away and tried to pretend the nearby cufflinks were utterly fascinating.

“Next stop: that shop we passed on the way here. You should try on the pink and black lace dress in the window.” Drew tilted his head and studied me.

Instantly, I felt self-conscious. “What?” I stiffened.

“I think you would look beautiful in that Givenchy dress.” He seemed flustered as he gestured. “You have these amazing long legs. And you've got this fantastic swanlike neck. That dress will truly accentuate them."

“Oh, is that all?" I rolled my eyes. "I can't believe you think like this. You're very different from any other guy I've met.”

"How so? I mean, I didn't play a lot of sports in boarding school, but I spent a lot of time with Ty and Harry. They seemed to think I was masculine enough." He sighed heavily.

I studied him for a moment, and realized how much my opinion clearly mattered to him. “Different isn’t bad,” I murmured as I moved closer to him. “It’s simply not what I’m used to, that’s all.” I offered a lopsided smile. “It’ll be nice to have someone who actually understands fashion picking out my clothes for a change.”

His brow furrowed. “Who usually picks out your clothes?”

“Oh, you should see some of the uniforms I’ve had to wear through the years.” I shuddered. “In fact, I currently have one that consists of a bustier and a tutu.” I watched deep crevices form on his forehead. “Ah, you’re picturing it. Pretty terrible,” I agreed.

“Pretty demeaning,” he muttered. “You shouldn’t have to parade around like that.” Drew reached out and grabbed my hand. “Let me dress you. Let me show you how you should be treated.”

Before I could respond, the salesman returned with a garment bag and a shoe box. We followed him to the register where Drew inspected everything and passed his credit card after nodding his approval. “See.” He grinned as he slid the plastic back in his wallet. “I told you I’d be fast. Now let’s see how amazing you look in that dress.” He laid a hand on my lower back as he guided me out of the store and I could feel this strange heat radiating through me.

I gnawed on my lower lip, torn between the boundaries I should be setting and my own need for acceptance and reassurance in this strange new world. Soon enough, we were inside the shop Drew had seen earlier and he was asking about the dress. The saleslady smiled insincerely at me after looking me over. “What size?” she asked as my cheeks grew warm.

“Let’s try a ten,” Drew responded without a hint of judgment. The woman nodded and disappeared. When he met my gaze again, Drew shrugged. “What?”

My eyes widened. “First, how did you know? Second, how come you don’t care?” Before he could answer, I turned away. This was always my most sensitive part of shopping. Ever since I’d moved into the double digits, I barely purchased anything more than yoga pants and t-shirts for my down time. No one cared in college and the only guy I spent any time with outside of work was Franco.

“Please tell me you’re not one of those girls who thinks she’s fat.” Drew sighed. When I didn’t respond, he continued. “My mother is a very beautiful and incredibly fashionable size sixteen. She loves her luncheons. She loves her life of leisure. And I’ve never seen her pass up a dessert.”

My head tilted. “And your father doesn’t mind?”

“My father has been carrying on a series of affairs, probably since before I was born. He’s usually reasonably discreet, but I’m sure this contributes to my mother’s love affair with food.” He sighed. “I don’t care what she looks like. Despite our sometimes-tempestuous relationship, I love her no matter what. Now, my mother is quite sensitive about her weight. She rarely moves outside of her circle, barely travels.” Drew reached out and cupped my face. “You should know, you’re not fat, Talia. You’re not even fluffy. You’re positively perfect and delightfully curvy. You’re real, and I value that more than you know.”

I looked away as I tried to calm down. His words had helped. “I’m the heaviest person in my family,” I whispered. “I was a size five all through most of high school, but then…” I blew out a breath. “Well, stuff happens. And food is so comforting. And then comfort becomes a habit.” I finally met his stare. “Suffice it to say, I’d feel better about myself if I were about twenty pounds lighter.” I smiled weakly.

“Okay, so after the wedding cake, I’ll slap anything high in calories out of your hand,” he joked. “And you’ll keep all the liquor and wine out of mine.”

“Deal.” I held out my hand to shake on it.

Instead, Drew offered me a pinky. “I’m more of a pinky promise kind of guy.”

“Really?” I shook my head in wonder.

He chuckled. “Not really, but I am with you.”

Our pinkies hooked and I felt unfamiliar tingles. Before I could comment, the woman returned with the dress in hand. “Did you need any accessories to go with it?” She pasted the fake smile on her face and glanced back and forth between us.

“Yes, shoes. I think I saw some heels with pearls around the ankle.” Drew tapped his lip as he scanned the store. “A clutch. She’ll need one of those. Just enough room for her ID and lipstick.” He strode across the store and picked up a black envelope style one. “How about this?”

“Very nice choice,” the woman commented. Then she looked at me. “You’re so lucky to have a man who understands fashion.”

I opened my mouth to respond. I didn’t want to embarrass Drew by letting her imagine some relationship between us, but he spoke first. He wrapped and arm around my waist. “Actually, I’m the lucky one. It’s so nice having someone to spoil.”

I blinked at him a few times. “Well, I really appreciate it.” I meant it too. I would be lost in here without him. He’d found a dress, shoes, and a purse in the time it would’ve taken me to gather the courage to enter the store.

“I want some black pearl jewelry to go with this. There’s something about pearls and lace.” Drew grinned.

“Oh, I agree,” the saleslady replied. “Sadly, we don’t have anything in stock at the moment.” She scrunched up her face before adding, “As I recall, Tiffany’s has that Elsa Peretti line. There’s not much selection in black, but I saw some pink ones that would look amazing with the dress.”

“Perfect. That’ll be our next stop,” Drew announced as he steered me toward the dressing room.

My head was spinning. Givenchy? Tiffany’s? Who am I? For a second, I stood in the dressing room, curtain open, trying to remain calm while I marveled at the dress. “I suppose you expect to see this on me before you make the purchase,” I teased.

“Actually, I’d really like that.” He gestured to the half-moon couch facing the curtain. “I’ll be right here.” Then Drew sat and crossed his legs before motioning for me to get moving. “Come on. This will be a new record if we like the first dress.” He frowned. “Wait, I didn’t even ask if you liked the dress.”

I studied it on the hanger, all black lace with a pink satin underlay. I’d never worn anything so pretty. I glanced at the tag and winced. “I’d better like it. This actually costs more than my last semester of college.”

“Just change.” Drew groaned.

“Oh, I’m changing. There won’t be anything left of me but my hair and makeup.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m surprised you don’t want to alter that, too.”

He stood and moved closer to me, then he ran his fingers through my ponytail. “Like silk,” Drew murmured. “And you have such amazing skin, you’d still be stunning fresh faced.” He swooped in, pressed his lips to my cheek, and I jumped. “Sorry. I…just sorry.” Then he backed up and resumed his position on the couch while he stared at his hands.

I couldn’t leave him like that. Not now, especially when he was about to face all his friends and his demons. In three steps, I was in front of him, and squatted so I could look up into his eyes. “You’re my best date ever. In fact, you’re pretty much my only date ever, but that’s a whole different story.” I giggled. “Thank you. In case I forget to tell you later, I had the best time.” I brushed his cheek with my lips as I stood. Then I sashayed to the dressing room, pausing momentarily to peek at his reaction. Drew wore a goofy look on his face. Flooded with relief, I closed the curtain and let the transformation begin.