My breath stuttered, and my hand rubbed the smooth skin between my neck and breasts. Miller? Surely, she wasn’t serious? In what world would he want something more than what we had?
“There’s no one I could ask to do me that kind of favor.”
“You underestimate what a catch you are.”
“Come on—”
“Cut it out,” she said, huffing and putting a hand on her hip. “This is day one of getting yourself back on track for that promotion. Fuck anyone who stands in your way or makes you think it’s not deserved. Now, we’re putting this green number firmly in the yes column. Try on that purple one next before I finish all the champagne.”
I nodded, still not trusting my voice, as I stepped back into the dressing room. Eyeing the purple tulle, I unzipped the green dress and gently returned it to the hanger.
Four new dresseshung in my closet, with lingerie to match and two pairs of heels. The purple tulle cocktail dress and the green sequined one were the clear frontrunners, along with a violet, one-shoulder, floor-length, chiffon lace evening dress and a sleeveless cowl neck black dress. I was on the fence about that one, but Marietta talked me into it. Spaghetti straps led to a cross-back design and a lace-up back while the mermaid silhouette completed the look, with a high side slit and a lower back, the ruched details that made my curvy waist look stunning.
Minerva was not impressed that the additional clothing cramped the space in the far-left corner of the closet that she called hers. She glared from her spot on the edge of my footboard like she didn’t have at least two cat beds in every room of this damnable apartment. I couldn’t be bothered with her dramatics tonight, scratching her head before I moved the new wardrobe choices and grabbed a modest, pinstriped skirt and blue blouse.
The fundraiser wasn’t set to begin until the first round of golfers finished their eighteen holes and the awards were presented. My phone beeped, rousing Minerva from her evening bath. The chime made my eye twitch, knowing it was from the app.That app.Responsible for so much of my anguish. I refused to give it any more of my thoughts tonight, stepping into the shower to forget the day and put on my game face for tonight.
Miller:Want me to pick you up?
Emma:Hey, you. Come again?
Miller:I could, but I’d rather you be here to lend me a hand.
Emma:*GIF of eyeroll*
Emma:Did I forget plans again? Why are you picking me up? I have a fundraiser tonight.
Miller:What? I thought Mom invited you to dinner.
Emma:Oh, that’s right. She did, but I texted her earlier. She understood about work.
Miller:Okay.
Emma:I’m sorry I didn’t mention it. Was this dinner special?
Miller:No. Yes. No. Just some news about the showroom. It’s fine. I didn’t realize you wouldn’t be there.
Emma:Alrighty. Chat later.
“I’m surprised you’rehere alone tonight, Miss James. I was hoping to introduce the board to your beau,” Mr. Thomas said before finishing his martini. He fished an olive from the bottom of the glass and popped it in his mouth, arching an eyebrow like I’d been caught making out in a broom cupboard. “The headmaster has such high hopes for you. I’d hate to disappoint him.”
I slipped my phone back into my clutch, guilt coursing through my veins as I tried to focus on the conversation I’d been dragged into. How had I forgotten to tell Miller I had to bail? I’d rather be with him and his family than deal with this nonsense, but when my father called earlier demanding my presence for dinner next week, and he not so subtly reminded me that I wouldn’t have this job without his help, I knew I had to finish this stupid game.
An uncomfortable pain twisted into my side, like a stitch you got after running too fast. This wasn’t the first time I’d bailed on our plans—and it probably wouldn’t be the last. It was even more reason for me to hurry and find a suitable guy. Miller deserved someone who could fully commit to him—not a girl who had to jump through hoops to get a promotion while wearing Spanx and eating subpar appetizers.
“Oh. He had to work late at the office,” I answered, glancing at his pink plaid pants before sighing and taking another mini hotdog from a passing server. Obviously, not inviting someoneto this wretched event backfired spectacularly as he arched a brow, waiting for information I didn’t have to give.
“Dean, stop harassing this young lady and find our table.”
I followed the voice, smiling at his wife, Christine, who threaded her arm with mine, tugging me away. He winked, letting his eyes trail down my body before smirking and turning toward the bar. “Don’t mind my lush of a husband,” she said, shaking her head and adjusting the large sapphire pendant around her neck. “He likes to feel important by finding out useless information and regurgitating it to people more influential.”
I snorted into my white wine, covering the noise with a cough as she shook her head and patted me on the back.
“What? It’s true, and you know it. The entire admission board is filled with old fuddy-duddies with too much time and money on their hands.”
I laughed along with her as we walked toward the opposite end of the room, where several older ladies stood in a semi-circle, drinking from tumblers.
“Christine. There you are, and with a friend. Who’s the new blood?” a lady with silver hair asked, adjusting the large pearl ring on her finger before sipping the amber liquid in her glass.
