I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 93

Natalie turned her head in surprise and saw a luxury handbag boutique.

"What is this?" she asked.

Alexander rested a hand on the car's roof. "Didn't you want me to buy you a bag? I would've had them come to the house, but since we're here, this will have to do."

"I never asked you to buy me a bag," Natalie said, even more stunned. Then she remembered what she'd said in the hospital and sighed. "I was just making up an excuse."

She couldn't believe he had actually taken her seriously.

"What is said is what is thought. Otherwise, why didn't you say *you* were angry because *I* wouldn't buy you a bag?"

It was twisted logic, and Natalie was speechless. Just then, the store manager hurried toward them.

"Mr. Ramirez, what a surprise to see you in person!" She then gestured for them to enter.

Seeing this, Natalie had no choice but to get out of the car.

The manager was experienced and knew what to ask and what to ignore. Alexander settled onto a large sofa and signaled for the manager to help Natalie choose a bag.

"Ma'am, these styles just arrived today. They're from our newest collection."

As was customary, unless the guest was the official wife, the manager would only recommend new arrivals, never mentioning the exclusive, one-of-a-kind custom pieces. If the real wife found out, the blame would fall on them.

Natalie was unaware of these unspoken rules. She didn't need a bag and had no intention of buying one, but since she was already here, it felt rude to refuse. She decided to just pick one and be done with it.

"That one, then," she said, pointing to a bag in the center of the display.

"An excellent choice, ma'am. This bag is made from the finest materials and was created by one of our top designers. It suits you perfectly."

The manager's flattery was seamless, designed to make clients feel valued by the wealthy men who brought them there.

"Besides this one, what about your custom pieces?" Alexander suddenly asked.

The manager froze for a second, then discreetly sized Natalie up again. Her cool, refined aura and beautiful, lightly made-up face were the most stunning she had ever seen. Could it be…?

Not daring to delay, the manager replied, "Of course, Mr. Ramirez. I was planning on showing Mrs. Ramirez the custom collection after she made her initial selection."

The manager had never encountered such a situation. A woman comes in with her fiancé to buy a bag, only to insist on paying for it herself? What was going on?

"But Mr. Ramirez…"

"I'll tell him I didn't see anything I liked."

Natalie gave the manager her card and the address. As for the bag out front, she would find a way to give it back to Alexander later, or perhaps gift it to Savannah or Charlotte.

Alexander flipped through a few more pages of the magazine before setting it aside. Just then, Natalie came out of the private room, empty-handed.

"Where is it?" he asked.

"I didn't find anything I liked. Maybe next time."

Back in the car, Alexander glanced in the rearview mirror at the lone gift box on the back seat. "When did you become so picky? The designers here are world-class, and you're not impressed?"

Natalie fastened her seatbelt. "As long as other people aren't picky, it's fine."