Jeff glanced at the favorability hovering over Lindsay's head. -15. Still deep in the red, pure contempt mixed with lingering disgust.
Three years of chasing her, of being her shadow, and she had zero warmth left. Not even a flicker of fondness. To her, he'd been nothing but a convenient meal ticket, a doormat she could step on whenever she felt like it.
"Jeff, I've picked the bag. Go pay for it."
Ava walked over, arm still loosely linked with his, holding the sleek black Gucci handbag like a trophy. Her tone was casual, but there was a spark in her smoky eyes now, something playful and testing.
Jeff didn't hesitate. Old habits died hard, but this time the power felt different.
"Got it."
Hearing Jeff say this rose Ava's favorability points by 2.
He strode to the counter, black card already in hand.
The sales associate smiled professionally. "Sir, your girlfriend has excellent taste. This is this season's limited edition. It comes to thirty-two thousand eight hundred dollars."
"Swiped."
The transaction went through instantly, a soft beep confirming it.
Lindsay froze mid-step, eyes locked on the bag in Ava's hands. The exact one she'd been modeling, the one Blake had just refused to buy.
Blake's smirk faded. "What the hell?"
Lindsay's green eyes narrowed. "Jeff? You just... bought that?"
Jeff met her gaze calmly. "Yeah. Ava wanted it. So I got it."
Favorability numbers ticked up on the panel.
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +20
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +20
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +20
From -45 straight to +15. She no longer saw him as a creep. Now there was curiosity, maybe even a hint of genuine interest.
Lindsay Summers: Favorability +5
Lindsay Summers: Favorability +5
Lindsay Summers: Favorability +5
From -15 to 0. Neutral ground. Not affection yet, but the disgust had cracked. Jeff could almost feel her confusion radiating.
The power of money was real. One swipe, and the script started flipping.
"Let's keep going," Jeff said to Ava, voice steady. "Anything else you want today, it's on me."
Ava's red lips curved into a real smile this time. She linked her arm tighter through his, pressing close enough that he caught the faint scent of her perfume, something expensive and intoxicating.
"Hubby, you're too good to me."
The word "hubby" slipped out naturally, loud enough for Lindsay to hear. Ava shot a quick, triumphant glance over her shoulder at the platinum blonde ice queen.
Lindsay's porcelain cheeks flushed slightly. A strange jealousy flickered in her cat-eye lined gaze. Jeff had always been hers to summon or dismiss. Now another woman—someone just as stunning, with long dark waves, bold makeup, and a body that turned heads—was claiming him in public.
It felt like her favorite toy had been stolen. She didn't want him anymore, but no one else was allowed to have him either.
"Blake, let's go," she muttered, tugging his sleeve.
Blake scowled. "We're not done shopping."
"Yes we are." Blacke grimaced hard at how hypocritical Lindsey was acting.
She dragged him out of the store, muttering excuses about "other plans."
The sales associates whispered among themselves.
"Miss, did you see that? The guy in the hoodie just dropped thirty-two grand without blinking."
"His girlfriend's gorgeous. And the other girl looked pissed."
"Rich people love pretending to be broke these days. Don't judge by clothes."
Ava glanced at Jeff with fresh doubt and intrigue. Was this guy really just some broke simp earlier? Or had he been playing poor all along?
The effortless swipes, the calm demeanor, the total lack of nerves. It screamed hidden wealth.
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +10
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +10
Ava Reynolds: Favorability +10
Another thirty points. Now at 45. She was starting to like him. Really like him.
Jeff felt the shift. Bags really did work wonders.
But the spend so far was peanuts. Less than a hundred grand total. The real rebate would be tiny if he stopped now.
He needed to go bigger.
They walked into the Chanel boutique next door.
Jeff scanned the racks and pointed. "Wrap up everything except these two. I'll take the rest."
Ava blinked. "Wait, those two are kind of outdated. I don't—"
"Not those two. Everything else."
The sales clerk stared. "Sir... are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking? Swipe it."
The clerk's eyes widened as she rang it up. Chanel pieces ran tens of thousands each. The store wasn't huge, but clearing most of it would hit several million easy.
"Miss, your boyfriend is too generous."
The clerk handed the card back with genuine awe and a touch of envy.
Ava stared at Jeff, lips parted slightly. Her heart-shaped face flushed, smoky eyes wide.
Jeff just smiled.