Chapter 36 Tender
Brielle's POV
Daylan insisted on taking me to a boutique that he always drove past to get to the hospital. I hesitated at first, but after everything that had happened, the idea of stepping out and doing something normal, something for myself, seemed like a good distraction. We drove in comfortable silence, the tension between us a palpable reminder of our complicated recent history.
The boutique was nestled in a quiet street, its windows adorned with elegant displays. Daylan held the door open for me, his hand lightly brushing my back as I entered. The touch sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder of how much I still wanted him despite everything.
"Welcome!" a cheerful saleswoman greeted us. "How can I help you today?"
"We are looking for a black dress," Daylan said smoothly. "Something elegant and timeless." her cheeks turned red as she couldn't take her eyes off Daylan.
"Follow after me," she said, her eyes sparkled with excitement as she led us deeper into the store. Daylan stayed close to my side, his presence a comforting weight as I browsed through the racks. I could feel his gaze on me, a mixture of concern and something else that made my heart race.
He selected a dress from the rack, holding it up for me to see. It was long and elegant, the bodice designed to resemble a swan, with delicate feather-like details that flowed into the skirt. It was stunning.
"Try this one," he said, his voice soft but insistent.
I took the dress, sneaking a glance at him. His blue eyes were intense, watching my every move. "Okay," I said, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.
The fitting room was spacious, with a full-length mirror and soft lighting. I slipped into the dress, the fabric cool and luxurious against my skin. As I adjusted the straps and smoothed the skirt, I felt a surge of confidence. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves and making me feel beautiful.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the fitting room. Daylan was waiting, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of me. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken words.
"You look... incredible," he said, his voice husky.
"Thank you," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I really like it."
He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. "I'm glad."
I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring the way the dress flowed around me. "What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect," he said, his gaze never leaving me. "You look like a goddess."
The intensity of his words made my breath catch. Despite our decision to not see each other again beside him being my doctor, the attraction between us was undeniable. I wanted him, but I knew that acting on those feelings could complicate things even further.
"I feel like one," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I think it's the one."
He nodded, his eyes still locked on mine. "Absolutely. Let's take it then."
I went back to the fitting room to change, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. As I carefully removed the dress, the door suddenly swung open, and Abby stormed in, her eyes blazing with anger.
"You!" she spat, pointing a finger at me. "You ruined everything!"
I blinked, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "What are you talking about?"
"Daylan!" she yelled. "You ruined my chance with him! He was supposed to be with me, not you!"
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Abby, Daylan and I... we are not together. We decided to keep things professional."
She scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "Don't lie to me. I see the way he looks at you, the way you look at him. You are in the way, Brielle."
I squared my shoulders, meeting her gaze head-on. "I'm not afraid of you. Daylan makes his own choices, and if he chooses to be with you, that is his decision. But don't blame me for something that's not my fault."
Her face contorted with rage, but she didn't have a comeback. Instead, she turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving me standing there, shaking with adrenaline.
I took a moment to collect myself, then finished changing back into my clothes. The encounter with Abby had left me rattled, but I refused to let her words get to me. Daylan and I had made our decision, and I intended to respect that.
When I walked out of the fitting room, Daylan was waiting with a concerned expression. "Is everything okay? I heard yelling."
I nodded, forcing a smile. "Just a misunderstanding. Everything is fine now."
He didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. "Alright. Let's get the dress and get out of here."
We made our way to the register, where Daylan insisted on paying for the dress despite my protests. As we left the boutique, I felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside me. The encounter with Abby had been unsettling, but it also reinforced my determination to stand my ground.
In the car, Daylan glanced over at me. "You sure you're okay?"
I nodded, looking out the window. "Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for today. It means a lot."
"Anytime," he said softly. "You deserve to feel beautiful, Brie."
His words touched me deeply, and for a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if things were different. If we could be together without all the complications and baggage. We started to drive and blend in with the traffic.
But reality quickly set in, and I knew that keeping my distance was the right choice. For now, at least. "It was Abby who was there. I guess she didn't want you to see her. She must've taken the other exit."
"That woman doesn't know when to stop " he said as he let out a sigh. "I will deal with her. I hope that she didn't say anything hurtful to you."
"None of her words bother me. She just doesn't want us together and I get it. I would've probably felt the same way because you are an attractive man and women want you. I think that we made the right decisions. I don't know how many women would be knocking on my door to confront me that I should back off. So, good luck with a woman trying to claim you," I said with a light smile.
"I don't want any of them, and I'm sorry that you are in the middle of this and getting the heat of it. Abby did something that proved to me that she was crazy. She nearly threw a glass against my head. That was the final straw for me to be that close to her, and I'm looking for someone else to join me on my project. But getting rid of Abby is for the best, not just for myself but for my project," he said.
"I'm happy that you got to deal with her and set her straight. She is just too much." we came to a stop at the traffic light.
"I'm sorry that she harassed you again," he said. He looked over at me briefly with a sympathetic smile before turning to look at the road again.
"I can handle her and I think I did great." I looked ahead as the traffic light changed to green, and we drove awaay.
"I like a woman who can also defend herself, but I like to be there for a woman too. Not just any woman but someone that is very close to me. Someone like you," he looked at me for a brief moment before focusing on the road.
The warmth crept into my cheeks. I didn't know what to say to that but I remained silent. He looked out for me and that was something that I liked about him in this moment. I just wish that things were different between us. I'm sure we would've had a great life together but its unfortunate that it won't be happening, yet Angela's words linger in the back of my mind.
As we drove back to my apartment, I couldn't help but steal glances at him, the way his hands gripped the steering wheel, the focused expression on his face. Despite everything, I couldn't deny my feelings for him. But I also knew that acting on those feelings could lead to even more heartache.
Daylan walked me all the way to my apartment door in silence. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call," he said, his eyes searching mine.
"I will," I promised. "Thank you again."
He leaned in, his lips brushing my cheek in a tender kiss. I sucked in a breath, "Take care, Brie." my stomach flipped as he kissed my cheek. My whole body woke up. This shouldn't be happening, but he still has that effect on me. He pulled away, looking at me one last time, before he moved past me. I didn't want him to leave, but I had to. It wasn't the right time, and I needed more time with what Angela told me.
As he walked away, I watched him go, feeling a pang of longing. But I also felt a sense of resolve. No matter what happened, I knew I had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And with that thought, I entered my apartment and closed the door behind me, ready to take on the world, one step at a time.