anything but the best.
Enjoy,
Liam
I bit my lip as I looked back at the dress. It was stunning. Intricate black lace covered a nude slip with a sweetheartneckline. Liam Knight had outdone himself, and I couldn’t wait to put it on.
I stripped down to my G-string and pulled the fabric over my exposed skin.
“That isnotwhat I ordered.” Mrs. Powell’s face scrunched in disgust and she zipped me up with a little more force than necessary. “We don’t have time to get another, but I’m going to have words with that designer. Hurry and get your shoes on so you can go. Elijah and his father are there already.”
Her harsh tone yanked me back to reality. Gone was any sortof excitement that had grown for the gala. Once again, I considered pretending I’d come down with the stomach bug or something extremely contagious.
Instead, I pulled the shoes from the box and slid my feet into them. I stood before the mirror,astonished.
While the dress was on the hanger, it had been beautiful, but now it outlined my curves and clung to me like a second skin. The front was classy and demure, while the other side was completely backless save for a small length of lace across my shoulder blades that kept my long, lacy, off-the-shoulder sleeves from sliding down my arms.
I ran my fingers over the material. This was a Cinderella moment. The dress and makeup gave me a renewed sense of confidence.I was empowered, elegant, and ready to take on this gala.
Luckily, I’d arrive early enough to find a spot in the club’s parking lot. Again, finding a parking space in downtown Charleston was about as rare as a four-leaf clover.
I climbed carefully from the car, then gripped the hem of my dress in my hand as I walked to the entrance. The clicking of my heels echoed around me, each one counting down the seconds until I stepped into the stuffy party.
Filled with an unshakeable confidence, I straightened my spine and held my head high with a wide smile on my crimson lips. I couldn’t wait to see Elijah.
Walking through the heavy wooden doors to the venue, I was overtaken by the simple yet classy decorations. Luxurious beaded curtains hung on the walls. Each table adorned with a champagne cloth and black linens. The centerpieces were crystal vases filled with champagne-colored beads and an assortment of black dyed flowers.
Everything around me spoke to the height of sophistication, reminding me of an ode to the roaring twenties.
I followed the sound of voices and found Elijah easily. As his mother had said, he was with his father. I slowed my steps as I took him in. Dressed in a crisp black tuxedo with a matching bow tie that stood out against his white dress shirt, he had one hand in his pocket and a drink in the other. When he laughed, he looked like the kid I had met in college. Blue eyes sparkling while joy radiated from his smile, his dark brown hair styled and pristine. Not that college-Elijah ever looked this put together, but this Elijah was happy and relaxed. It had been a while since I’d seen him that way, and I missed it.
Happy Elijah was the one who drew me in, the one I craved. The one I loved.
A familiar heaviness settling in my gut, and if he played his cards right, I’d be helping him take that tux off later.
I approached him and laced my arm through his. “Hi.”
“Oh, Cadence. I didn’t know you’d arrived.” He kissed the top of my head before leaning back and giving my attire a once over. “That’s the dress my mom picked for you?”
“Actually, Liam chose this one for me. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“It’s a little over the top, don’t you think? There is nothing left to the imagination, it’s like a second skin on you.”
I froze, his words tiny knives piercing the confidence I’d gathered and causing it to crack. “I didn’t think so.”
“Hmm.” He looked me up and down again. “Looks like you are asking for the wrong kind of attention.”
My mouth hung open, completely stunned. Heat gathered in my cheeks as embarrassment tore through me at his insinuation. How could he even say that?
Besides the fact that Liam Knight (who was a highly reputable designer and one of my best friends) designed it, the dress covered me completely. Nothing indecent showed.
“I… I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“It’s fine. It’s too late for you to change.” He tipped his head back and swallowed the rest of the brown liquid in his glass. “I’m going to get another drink.”
“I think you look great, Cadence.” Elijah’s dad’s gaze ran up and down my body, and my skin prickled with unease.
“Uh. Thanks.” I cleared my throat. “I’m going to get a drink, too.”
