But Cassidy could have the rest of her life with Gavin. Molly got tonight. Yes, Molly got tonight.
She marched down the stairs, shoes in hand, pausing at the front door before slipping them on her feet.
The first rule of any knock-off relationship was not to develop feelings for the other person. Everyone knew this, even those who weren’t paid dating gurus like Molly.
When those lines blurred, things got messy. Like life.
She needed to remember that. Make a mental note on a Post-It and stick it to her palm so she wouldn’t forget.
Heaving a breath, she stepped out the door just as a stretch limousine curved around the corner.
She took the porch steps slower because she was wearing wicked high shoes. Also, the dress was not the kind of garment a girl could sprint in. Heck, she could barely saunter in the thing.
But what it lacked in wiggle room, it made up for in gorgeous designer goodness.
The limo pulled up to her curb, just as she’d expected.
Gavin emerged from the back. Again, just as expected. He even wore a tuxedo. She was beginning to really like tuxedos.
All of that was expected.
The large velvet box in his hand, however, was not expected.
She hadn’t been serious about the Pretty Woman jewelry rental schtick.
“Please tell me you have a candy necklace in that thing,” she said, pulling the picket-fence gate closed behind her, as Travis helped Rachel into the back of the limo.
“It’s not Skittles, I can tell you that.” He gave her a tip to toe appraisal, stopping briefly at her chest and hips in a way that was not creepy, but really rather flattering.
Like the dress.
“You did good, Molly,” he said, low and husky in a way that made the dress worth every overpriced penny she’d spent on it.
Her cheeks heated. “Thank you. You look good, too.”
“Good” being the least appropriate word ever for how
he looked. Yummy? Delicious? Much more appropriate. “Is this a new tux?” She reached for his lapel, smoothing the satin-lined fabric with her fingertips.
“The other had to be retired.” He frowned. “I tried to save it, but only so much could be done.”
“You don’t seem like a quitter to me.” She crossed her arms. “You just gave up on it?”
“Lake water was remarkably unkind to the fabric. The whole thing was a mess by the time I got it to the cleaner.”
“I’m sorry.” She heaved a breath. “I feel responsible.”
“Because you jumped in a lake wearing my tuxedo?”
“Because it was my kid you jumped in for…” She would’ve gnawed at her fingernails, except she’d painted them for this occasion, and she really didn’t want to muck up that effort.
“New tux. New beginnings.” He held the box to her. “I believe you had a request.”
She took the box. She didn’t open it, though, not right away. Because her heart was beating like a hummingbird and she wanted to relish the feeling of being listened to. Of being desired enough that he’d rented a necklace for her to wear just because she’d asked.
“If you granted every request I’ve ever made, then there better be a cheeseburger in the back of this car.” She didn’t have to lift on her tippy toes to give him a peck on the cheek, given the shoes were plenty high for her to make that happen with no effort at all on her part.
“Bring a woman diamonds, and she asks for fast food.” Gavin shook his head. “Really can’t win with this one, can I?”
