His eyes swivel in my direction. He nods his head, as if agreeing with a silent conversation with himself.
“You’ll come with me,” he states matter-of-factly, and I stare at him in bewilderment.
“What?”
“I don’t have time to find another date, and you know a lot of the guests already from your work with us. You can simply be on my arm. Most people don’t know you as my EA, and Barnes isn’t going to be there because he’s on vacation.”
My fists clench at the audacity of the man. His assumption that I’m free, although correct, is galling. Clearly, he thinks I just wait around all day to follow his orders.
“I can’t come with you as your date,” I say firmly, walking back toward his desk.
“Why not?” he asks without even glancing at me; it’s beyond dismissive.
“Because people will talk.”
“No one at the gala will care.”
“People in theofficewill care, Mr. Crawford,” I say firmly. “How will you explain it to them?”
“Why are we back to 'Mr. Crawford’ again? I told you to call me Lucas. And besides, I don’t need to explain it to them; I’m the boss. My date had to cancel and I need?—”
“Some pretty, empty-headed blonde on your arm to make you look good?” I snap.
Crawford finally looks away from his phone; his expression almost comical, wide-eyed, and shocked as he stares up at me in amazement.
He rises and puts his hands in his pockets, glaring down at me. “Did I say you were empty-headed?” he asks.
I purse my lips. “Not exactly?—”
“In fact, I didn’t say anything about that. You’re smart, you remember people’s names, and you know when to keep your mouth shut. This has nothing to do with you being blonde or a woman, for that matter. I could invite a guy to accompany me tonight, and I would still need him to be quiet. This gala presents an excellent opportunity to network. I’m there to shmooze people. I asked you because there are zero expectations between you and me. You know what I need from you and vice versa.”
He cocks his head at me, glancing over at the window. “Although, I won’t lie, getting a chance to look at you in the dress I’m gonna send over for you to wear does fill me with a certain amount of anticipation. Your ass is incredible. So sue me.”
That last comment startles a laugh out of me, and his shoulders relax as he comes around the desk.
“I’ll pick you up at eight. Melvin has your address. It’s black tie. I’ll send jewelry, too.”
A knot forms between my shoulder blades at the thought of Crawford seeing my crappy house. I want to refuse. This is crazy, he can’t just take me to the gala without people talking behind our backs—won’t everyone think there’s more between us?
“Please, Amelia. I asked you because I trust you. You’re not going to make a fool of me, and I’ll return the favor.”
I sigh as his hands brush gently down my arms. I know he’s playing me, but those dark brown eyes are intoxicating, and as I nod my head, he hits me with that glorious smile I’m getting addicted to.
The rest of the day passes in a blur of phone calls from different attendees. Beatrice asks me to handle the caterers and several other minor tasks that she’s in charge of.
Kaitlin and Julia are running around in a frenzy all day, and I barely have time to think about what the evening will mean until I leave the office just after five.
Crawford has been gone since 3 p.m., heading to the venue to ensure everything is in order. I expect Beatrice to be with him, so I’m surprised to see her waiting for the elevator as I head out of the building.
She’s in a cute pin-striped dress and glances at me as I come to stand beside her, but says nothing.
We step into the elevator, and I’m instantly transported back to my first day on the job, dressed in my mother’s horrible suit, her judgment heavy in the air. It feels just the same now, and I can’t figure out why until she makes a little scoffing sound.
“Pretty good perk, wouldn’t you say?” she mutters bitterly.
“I’m sorry?”
“I mean, I’m not an idiot, I knew as soon as you joined that you were spreading your legs for him. But wow. The gala as his date. You must be thrilled.”
