Elizabeth slowly rummaged through the racks in the store. Everything was beautiful and perfect and more than she felt she deserved. There was just no reason for anyone to spend this kind of money on her, especially when she'd never spend this kind of money on herself. She glanced at the price on one of the gowns that caught her eye and immediately shook her head. She looked over at Shawn, her eyes wide with surprise.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't ask you to pay these kinds of prices," Elizabeth said, shaking her head again. "I never expected to get some designer dress, Shawn. I'm more of a thrift store kind of girl anyway."
Shawn frowned at that. "Are you sure?"
Elizabeth understood the inference and shrugged indifferently. "I don't care if I don't look like the other women there," she retorted. "I'm not rich and I doubt that I ever will be. I'm not going to look like one of them just to fit in. I am who I am, Shawn. I'm not going to change that just to fit in at the Center."
Shawn knew that she meant that she wasn't going to let Jordan Collier dictate how she should dress or behave if she joined them. He liked her boldness, her need to remain an individual. With a nod, Shawn took Elizabeth's hand and started to lead her out of the store. "Okay. You pick the store this time," he told her, smiling softly. "Wherever you want to go, I'll take you there. No questions asked."
Elizabeth smiled as they got back into Shawn's car. She already knew where she wanted to go, what she wanted to have Shawn buy for her if it would be at all possible. "There's a thrift store about six blocks from here," she told him excitedly. "They have a dress there that I've been dying to try on. I wanted to buy it when I got here – to Seattle – but I never had anywhere to wear it before now. I think it'll be perfect. I just hope that it's still there."
Shawn smiled and nodded, starting the car once they were both inside and ready to go. He pulled out of the parking lot into traffic. "All right. Six blocks from here. We can do that."
Elizabeth was almost bouncing in the seat as they drove. Her excitement was palpable and she could see that it was affecting Shawn. It was incredible how her own intense emotions could do that to another person. She still didn't quite have control over that down just yet. Elizabeth bit her lower lip and tried to relax, not wanting to change the way Shawn was feeling in anyway. It wasn't a long drive and soon they had reached the shopping center where the thrift store was located. She flashed him a quick, easy smile as they pulled into a parking lot next to the shopping center.
"Thank you so much for everything, Shawn," Elizabeth softly said as Shawn found an empty spot and the car was put into park. "You have no idea what this means to me."
Shawn laughed and shook his head a bit. He could still feel her giddiness still washing over him. It wasn't as strong now but he could still feel it. "I think I have some idea."
Elizabeth got out of the car, waiting for Shawn in front of it, her hand out waiting to grab his own hand now. "I'm going to have to work on that," she commented with a sheepish smile. "Let's go. I just hope it's still here."