She started to walk out of the room and Leo touched her arm. “Cammie, wait.”
She turned back to him and though he appeared gutted, that was nothing compared to how she felt.
“There’s plenty to talk about,” he said. “I don’t know how much of my conversation you overheard—”
“Enough to know that you lied to me,” she snapped. “You told me could get me an interview, and the implication was that I could get a job from it. But I heard you just now. She’s not interested in me as an employee. You told her the interview would just make me feel like I had a chance, like you’re humoring me to get what you need from me. A date to your damn party.”
“No,” he said. “You’re wrong. I know what I said but it’s not what it sounded like.”
“Are you really saying I misunderstood?” she asked in disbelief.
He shook his head. “I’m saying that I know my sister, and I said whatever I needed to in order to get you an interview with her.”
“An interview she doesn’t want to give, to someone she would never hire. What’s the point, Leo? I have more pride than to sit down with her now. Don’t make me feel even more naïve or foolish.” She swallowed over the lump in her throat.
His eyes grew soft, his tone pleading. “You’re not naïve or foolish.”
She let out a humorless laugh through her tight chest and throat. “Yes. I am. I believed in you.”
Leo flinched at her pointed words meant to hurt.
She didn’t know if he had more to say but she wouldn’t hang around for more meaningless conversation. This time, when she headed for the exit, Leo didn’t try to stop her.
After leaving his apartment, she took a taxi home. She’d been there about an hour when a courier arrived with the dress and shoes Leo had bought her.
There was also a note.
Cammie,
I’m sorry I upset you and I never meant to lie to you. I thought Jenny would be open to an interview and I’m still determined to fulfill my promise because I believe in you. I’d love for you to come to the party tomorrow night. Come as my real date, sweetheart. I want you on my arm because I want to spend Christmas Eve with you.
I hope to see you there.
Leo
It was short and seemingly sincere, but she folded the paper and placed it in a drawer, refusing to think too much about his claim that he wanted her to be his real date.
Could she believe him, considering he’d lied to her about his ability to get her an interview with his sister? That he told Jenny that he didn’t have feelings for her? No, he needed someone to impress his potential client, and he needed it badly enough to make promises and claims he wouldn’t keep.
The day of Leo’s Christmas Eve party came too soon. She’d spent the night trying not to overeat ice cream and cry over Leo. There was no Christmas spirit to be found.
She’d traded shifts with another barista so she could have the day off, giving her plenty of time to get ready. Instead, she’d be returning the dress that Leo had bought her.
Despite her raging emotions, a part of her felt guilty she was screwing up his plan to win over his important client, but she couldn’t bring herself to go to the party. Though she’d tried to keep her feelings out of this arrangement, she’d fallen hard and fast for Leo. Going to this party as his serious girlfriend wouldn’t be an act for her.
In her heart, she wanted them to be real.
But Leo had never said anything about them being in any sort of relationship, not until he sent that letter. And now she couldn’t show up and make a fool of herself. It was better to just cut contact.
With a heaviness in her steps, she walked into the boutique with her new dress in the garment bag draped over her arm and the box containing her gorgeous shoes and purse in her hands.
The boutique wasn’t overly busy, but the three employees were all helping customers and Cammie headed to the counter to wait. She looked around at the beautiful clothes on display, sure this was the last time she’d step into this lovely boutique, since the price tag on her gown was more than her monthly rent. Breathing in deeply, she took a moment to appreciate the view.
“Cammie?”
She jolted at the unexpected familiar voice and turned to see Charlie standing behind her.
“Oh… hi,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d run into anyone I knew.”
