"Can I just get the dress now?"
"After you, Mia," Niklaus said, gesturing toward the racks of dresses.
"It's Hermia," she corrected under her breath, though she knew he wouldn't listen even if he heard.
He seemed to take pleasure in shortening her name, as if it gave him some kind of power over her.
She exhaled and stepped forward, her nerves fraying with every step.
The soft fabric of her sundress fluttered against her legs as she approached the rows of gowns, their jeweled embellishments sparkling under the chandeliers.
Niklaus followed her, his eyes never leaving her as she moved.
A storm and a calm all at once, he thought, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile.
Time to shop.
The moment Jared Lawrence stepped forward to welcome Hermia, his charm was in full force. "Ah, you must be Miss Hermia. A pleasure to have you here," he said with a wide smile, his tone smooth and practiced.
