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He opens the double doors that lead to ht It’s filled with clothes and shoes Handbags I’ve never carried a handbag Boots Not the kind you wear on a boat The tall kind The short kind The fancy kind There are so many cabinets and drawers, I have no idea what to think

"Six," I say

"What?" Vincent laughs

"Six outfits I’ve never owned uess there’s not a lot of roos on a boat"

"Why do I need soto be difficult, I just don’t understand it"

His hands wrap around my waist and he pulls e One day--not today, or tomorrow, or even next e have our first party as a power couple--but one day you will have so s to do, that you will look at this closet and realize it’s not enough You have dresses for balls For fundraisers For stepping out on the toith your husband for drinks You have shorts and bathing suits for the pool or the beach, or traveling to see your father on his yacht You’ll have coats and boots for braving the weather when you have to visit New York or Chicago because some aspect of the many, many boards of directors you will participate in require your personal attention

"Your life will be filled with interesting people, and special dinners, and parties You will see injustices in this world and want to rage against them You will coe the future You will shape the future, Harper You will talk and people will listen You will ade You will be a force, Miss Tate You will be a force and all those acts require clothes"

I try to picture myself as this person he describes but I can’t I try to picture myself in the future and find that I can’t do that either I don’t think I’ve ever thought about ht now I need you to choose a dress for ht I don’t want you drugged, or silent, or stupid I want you to be you So I filled your closet with every outfit I could get ive you a way to find yourself So choose, Miss Tate Who do you want to be tonight?"

I can’t stop looking at his face the whole ti I swear to God, I can’t stop And it’s not because he looks like Jareen eyes and dark hair or the perfect body I know he’s hiding under that suit

It’s because he paints a picture I’ve never considered before Up until this verynext to Jaer after another Or , a home Like the one Merc had in the desert A place with coe off the heat With soft sheets and picture fraether

Si one is better than the other I’ withmy options