Chapter 5

Michael stepped through Walmart’s sliding doors and paused just as Emma dashed ahead, pulling a cart from a small row near the entrance.

They had traveled a little over 300 miles that morning, and Emma had asked to stop for lunch and to pick up some new clothes.

Shifting uncomfortably, Michael glanced around, his gaze brushing past Sabrina before slipping away. “I can probably keep myself entertained in the book section while you girls shop. You don’t need me trailing behind you.”

“Oh, no,” Emma said quickly. “It won’t be nearly as fun without you, Uncle Michael. Besides, a guy’s opinion is essential when it comes to fashion.”

“Essential, huh?” he said, managing a faint smile.

“Very essential. One woman can’t tell another woman what looks best on her. Only a man can,” she declared. “And Sabrina and I need to look our best, just in case we run into some hunky guys when she takes me to lunch.”

“Hunky guys?” he repeated with a frown. “You’re too young to date.”

Sabrina shook her head, laughing as she once again played along with Emma’s antics.

“I promised Emma we’d have lunch after shopping,” she explained, “but that was when we were going by ourselves. I guess that plan’s out now.”

“I’ll take you both to lunch,” Michael said, perhaps a little too quickly.

“Really?” Emma lit up, beaming as she gave him a hug. “Thanks, Uncle. You’re the best! Here—you push the cart while Sabrina and I throw clothes in. That’ll give you something to do. Come on, Sabrina. I need a whole new wardrobe.”

Michael muttered something under his breath as he took the cart and followed the girls down the aisle. He had the distinct feeling he’d been played—an impression confirmed when Sabrina passed by and whispered, “Sucker,” with a smirk.

He shook his head, but couldn’t help noticing that his eyes had once again locked onto Sabrina’s backside. The yoga pants weren’t helping. Her ass practically demanded his attention.

Sighing, Michael forced his gaze away just as Sabrina stopped to examine a blouse.

“What do you think, Uncle Michael?”

Blinking, he glanced toward Emma. “Think about what?”

“These.” Emma grinned and held up a pair of red silk panties trimmed in black lace, placing them in front of Sabrina’s waist. “Do you think guys would find her attractive in these? There’s a matching bra, too.” She held that in front of Sabrina’s chest, tilting her head as she evaluated the effect.

“I think they’re gorgeous, but Sabrina says the bra’s too thin and her nipples would show through. Do men mind nipple bumps?,” Emma commented.

“I...” Michael froze, his brain short-circuiting as the mental image of Sabrina in that lingerie formed in vivid detail. “I don’t...”

“See?” Emma said triumphantly. “He said ‘I don’t.’ I told you guys don’t mind.”

“You little brat,” Sabrina laughed, rolling her eyes as Emma tossed the lingerie into the cart.

Michael stared helplessly at the delicate scraps of fabric, unsure what he was supposed to say—or think. Emma was clearly coming out of her shell around Sabrina, but she didn’t seem to realize just how provocative her teasing could be.

“You’re lucky to have the body to wear this stuff,” Emma continued as she admired the bra. “You’ve got nice breasts—full and round, like in the movies. I hope mine look like that when I finish growing.”

Sabrina laughed with genuine disbelief.

“With a figure like yours, I could get a guy like Uncle Michael to follow me around with his tongue hanging out.”

“I’m not following her with my tongue hanging out,” Michael said quickly, flushing as his gaze dropped once again to Sabrina’s curves.

He turned away, trying not to imagine what these two talked about when he wasn’t around.

Sabrina, meanwhile, blushed—but smiled. She wasn’t oblivious to Michael’s interest. Not anymore.

Michael breathed a silent sigh of relief when Sabrina said, “Okay, Emma. Enough lingerie. Let’s go check out some actual clothes.”

Or so he thought—until Emma insisted Sabrina try on a slinky black dress.

The dress didn’t look like much on the hanger. But once Sabrina put it on, Michael was stunned. It fit like a second skin.

“Perfect,” Emma announced.

Michael raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure it’s the right size?”

“Actually, it is,” Sabrina said, turning to examine herself in the mirror. “Do I look fat?”

“No! You look great. But it’s ... uh...” He trailed off as she turned around again. He squeezed his eyes shut and just barely stopped himself from groaning aloud.

“It’s cute,” Sabrina said, “but not really my style. I’ll be more comfortable in jeans. Emma, you should get some sneakers too.”

Sabrina picked out some jeans, tank tops, and sneakers for herself. Emma added a few things, including a bathing suit.

Michael was fairly certain this was an experience he’d never forget—and one he had no desire to repeat.

As he pushed the cart behind the girls, he noticed them leaning close together, giggling. He was dying to know what they were saying, but the store noise made it impossible.

He caught up and said, “Sabrina, I’ll pay for your clothes. It’s my fault you had to buy new ones.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.

“I know. But I want to. I’d feel better if you let me.”

“Uncle Michael is mad rich,” Emma chimed in. “Let him pay. It’ll ease his conscience.”

Sabrina laughed. “Okay, if you insist. You’re very kind, Michael.”