Romance: Loving The BillionBear: BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 3) Read Free Page B

full fashionista mode, helping Amelia pick out a whole selection of dresses to try on. She was pretty sure that both were immediately in love with the red dress though.
    “I don’t care what Barend thinks, really!” Amelia sighed. Oh, but she did .
    “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I think that one wins. Let me go find you some shoes!” Carlie sprung up and took off before Amelia could say anything else.
    At the same time, Amelia heard her phone ping from the dressing room. She rifled around in her purse, pulled it out and found a text from none other than Barend.
    “Speak of the devil” she whispered to herself and then opened the text.
    B: Did you find a dress?
    A: Yes, sir. I did.
    B: Picture.
    A: You will see it Monday.
    B: I need a picture. How can I know you picked something appropriate?
    A: I’m offended Mr. Kensington.
    B: It’s Barend.
    A: Ok, sir.
    B: Stop with the “sir.” We are the same age.
    A: (picture) This works? Carlie’s looking for shoes.
    B: Breathtaking.
    A: Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.
    B: I’m not being sarcastic.
    “Ok I found these two. I think silver looks best, don’t you?” Carlie bounded up holding out two pairs of heels. And Amelia dropped her phone quickly, blushing. Had she just been…flirting…with Barend. Her friend, unfortunately, noticed it immediately. “What’s up Ames?”
    “Nothing, nothing. Just a text from the boss. Something about…a meeting.”
    “And you blush over meetings?”
    “I’m not blushing!”
    “The lady doth protest too much. I thought you hated him?”
    “I do hate him! I told you that. He’s rude and condescending.”
    “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Which shoes?”
    “The strappy ones.”
    Amelia gasped when the lady behind the counter gave her a total price.
    “That will be $972.25, ma’am”
    She turned to Carlie. “I can’t. That’s too much. I can’t pay that.”
    “Good thing you aren’t. Now give the nice lady the credit card.”
    “Carlie. I.”
    “Amelia, believe me. Barend gave you that card for a reason. This is a very public event. He can’t be seen with someone wearing anything but the best. Frankly, I won’t be surprised if he says you went too cheap. Just buy the damn dress!”
    Amelia handed over the card feeling a little like a chastised child.
    She supposed that Carlie was right, but wow, almost a thousand bucks just for a dress and shoes? Unreal. She never, ever would wear something that cost that much money back in her hometown. This felt bizarre or otherworldly. Definitely not something Amelia had ever experienced in her life.
    And, then, there was that text conversation. Was Barend flirting with her? Why was he complimenting her? There wasn’t a hint of the arrogant, rude billionaire she was used too. As soon as she parted ways with Carlie, she checked her phone again, and sure enough, there was a text from him.
    B: Did you run away with someone in the men’s department? In that dress, no one could turn you down. If so, I will need my CC back.
    A: No, of course not!
    B: It was a joke, Amelia . 
    Did he seriously just type a smiley?
    A: I had to pay. I feel as if I have taken advantage of you. It cost too much.
    B: Haha, I am sure I will be ok. How much did you spend?
    A: $972.25. I’m sorry!
    B: That’s all?
    A: That’s all? That’s almost $1K!
    B: So?
    A: You really don’t care do you?
    B: Not at all! Hardly a drop in the bucket. You are fine…in more ways than one.
    First bragging about being rich and then another flirty compliment? He really confused her.
    A: Ok, then I have what I need to attend the gala.
    B: Not quite. I will bring the rest tomorrow morning.
    What the hell did that mean? What was “the rest?” While she was thinking about it, her phone pinged again.
    B: Stop by La Perla too.
    A: Excuse me?
    B: I expect my dates to be dressed perfectly. That means the right undergarments too.
    A: That’s a bit none of your business.
    B: Wrong. It is my business. Besides. I want to spend all night imagining