Zola Flash (The Zola Flash Series Book 1) by T. Marie Alexander

His lips move to mine, and his warm breath smells of butter and bacon, but I pull back. This is far from what I want. Just a couple of days ago, I had my first kiss. Now Trevor has decided to put an earthly claim on me?
    When a sales clerk returns, carrying different items, Trevor rises and guides me toward her. “Zola, this is Anastasia. She will be dressing you, today.”
    “Can I have a minute alone with Trevor, please?” I ask everyone, but the attendants wait for permission from ‘Mr. Smith’.
    He nods in approval, and once everyone has left, I eye Trevor. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses the tip of my nose, and I step away. Man, he is grabby.
    “Trevor, this very generous of you, but I can’t accept,”
    “Why?”
    “I can’t afford this. I don’t have any means of paying for it. And I will feel like I am taking advantage of you, if I allow you to buy all of this for me.”
    Trevor just laughs, and as if it’s some sort of cue, Anastasia comes from around the corner and draws me away. Trevor flops back down in the chair, his gaze tracking me as I vanish from his sight.
    When I turn, Anastasia has an unpleasant expression spread across her face. Yeah, I’m definitely going to avoid making her angry. She pulls me in a room and flips on the lights. Within minutes, my personal space is invaded by people handing me clothes, rushing to offer me different suggestions. I can hardly breathe. Not that I need oxygen, anyway.
    I try on everything, just to humor him. When I’m able to breathe again, Anastasia brings a gorgeous dress before me, and all I can do is stare.
    The dress reminds me of the one my mother wore to the Victian Solar-Luna Ball. The Ball is—or was—one of the most popular events on my home planet, open to the entire planet, where everyone gets—or got—to have as much fun as they want. My mother always wore beautiful outfits that everyone admired. I guess I know now that it’s because she was queen.
    Anastasia hands me the dress. There is black lace around the neck and hem. Once I’ve pulled it on, I realize how short the skirt is—it shows more skin than the ones worn by my mother, certainly more skin than I am comfortable with.
    Tears spills, and I bow my head, giving in to sadness as it spills into my soul from my heavy heart. Mom. I miss you . Sorrowfully, I walk out to Trevor.
    Trevor’s eyes widen as soon as he turns to me, and he seems oblivious to my shed tears. I think he actually stop breathing, but what male, in their right mind, wouldn’t stop breathing if they saw any girl in this dress?
    Pin. He wouldn’t care what I put on. I can always expect rejection after rejection from that damn Payohlini.
    I take a deep breath. Today is not about Pin. Pin could be chased by an army of mog-sloggers about to throw him in Tiheme—a boiling lake on Frizzlea—and the day still would not be about him. No, today is about me. Relaxation. I wipe away the final tear.
    “You look hot,” Trevor says, interrupting my thoughts.
    “Thanks.” I pause, thinking of what my mother would say. “My mother had a similar dress like this.”
    “If your mother looks anything like you, you have one hot mama.”
    I glance away. I can’t talk about my parents. It’s my fault my family are dead.
    “Look, it is nearly noon,” Trevor says. “So, if you need a rest, change, and we’ll go.”
    It doesn’t take long for me to return to the outer shop, and once the new clothes the assistants picked out for me have been bagged up, Trevor takes them from me and carries them to the car. Once he’s popped them in the trunk, he slides into the car while I stand there watching.
    If only his intentions aren’t to make me his . . .
    He finally looks at me, as I climb in beside him, and runs his hands through his blond hair, and I suddenly know what I should have done.
    When my mother wanted to thank someone in a proper manner, she would kiss their palm. I take one of his hands and do exactly