“I used to do theater in high school. Costume and makeup crew.” He grinned. “Dane used to give me so much shit about it.”
“Oh my god, I’m a huge theater nerd.” I smiled at him. “What was your favorite high school play?”
“Death of a Salesman,” he said. “Pretty standard stuff, but it’s a classic for a reason. How about you?”
“I thinkMidsummer Night’s Dream.”
“I knew you were a hopeless romantic.” He laughed.
“It’s more of a comedy than a romance,” I said defensively.
“It’s a rom-com,” Lucas said dismissively. “Which just goes to show you they’ve been popular for centuries.” He thrust the dress at me. “Now go put this on, Titania. I want to see if it needs any last-minute adjustments to make you look like a fairy queen.”
I took the dress into my bedroom, my hands shaking slightly. My evening’s plans had taken a drastic turn. I was about to crasha gala I hadn’t been invited to. Surprising my boss who may or may not actually want to see me there felt very risky.
I put the dress on carefully, not wanting to pop a seam. To Lucas’s credit, it fit perfectly once it was on, hugging my curves in all the right places while still being elegant enough for a formal event.
I looked at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back. The silky satin was actually very soft and comfortable. The bodice was snug but thank god it wasn’t actually boning and more of a soft ribbon that gave the illusion of a corset. The dress cinched my waist and boosted my boobs up.
Evening, ladies. Looking good.
The spaghetti straps needed a little adjusting, but other than that, it was fit for a fairy queen indeed. The hem skated across the floor. Once I put the heels on, it would be perfect. I took a few steps around the room, admiring how I looked.
“Is that good silence or bad silence?” Lucas called from the living room.
I walked out, feeling self-conscious, but Lucas’s face lit up.
“Good silence. It’s absolutely perfect.” He circled me, checking the fit, then nodded in satisfaction. “You’re going to pierce some hearts tonight like you’re Cupid’s Arrow itself.”
“I’m still not convinced this is a good idea.”
“Good thing I’m convinced enough for both of us.” He stepped back, surveying his work. “Okay. Jewelry, shoes, and then we need to go. The car is waiting downstairs.”
“The car?”
“Did you expect a horse-drawn carriage?” Lucas grinned. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
“No, I was thinking more like the subway.”
“In that dress and this jewelry?” He fastened a delicate necklace around my neck, simple but elegant, probably alsohideously expensive. “I called for a car. It’s on the company card. Dane won’t care, once he sees you.”
I slipped on the heels, which were surprisingly comfortable despite being four inches tall. Lucas handed me a small clutch purse.
I looked at myself in the mirror one more time. The woman looking back was sophisticated, confident, beautiful in a way that felt both foreign and right.
“What if this is a mistake?” I whispered.
Lucas appeared behind me in the mirror, his hands on my shoulders. “Then it’s a mistake you’ll regret less than not taking the chance.” He squeezed gently. “Dane is lonely, Ina. He’s been lonely his whole life, even when he’s surrounded by people. Even when he’s successful and rich and has everything he thought he wanted. I think he needs you. And he needsusto save him from himself.”
He handed me my coat. “Now let’s go. There’s fashionably late and then there’s just plain late, and we’re edging on that second one.”
The car ride to the gala was a blur. Lucas kept up a steady stream of encouraging commentary, occasionally adjusting my hair, making sure everything was perfect.
“Remember, you belong here. You’re not crashing. You’re arriving. There’s a difference.”
“Lucas, I don’t know.”
“Well, Idoknow. So trust me.”
