Well, it’s not fake for me. I’m in love with Lucas. If I get a chance to talk to him after the event, I’ll find out if he feels the same way too.
Before my mother and Claudia left, they tried convincing me not to go to the awards ceremony. Telling me it will be a disaster and nothing good will come of it. That the media will hound us with questions about our relationship. How they’ll scrutinize us to get the scoop on the truth.
They’re right. That will happen. But I promised Lucas I’d go with him. And after calling him with my concerns, he told me we shouldn’t worry about what’s going to happen. Just ignore whatever they throw at us.
Easier said than done when you have cameras pointed at your face and questions you have to lie to.
Soon after, a team of Alessi staff and glam squad turn up, rolling racks of dresses and accessories into the living room. Dozens of boxes of shoes, trays of jewelry, and clutches are put on every flat surface. For a moment I’m stunned by the flurry of activity around me. You’d think I was attending the Oscars.
What amazes me even more—even though Lucas told me she was coming, but I didn’t know whether to believe him—is whenJuliette Monet floats into the room on a rainbow of color. She’s wearing an off-the-shoulder dress layered in multicolored ruffles with purple chandelier earrings. Her bright red hair is slicked back and braided, which hangs over her shoulder. A yellow and red flower is pinned next to her ear. She looks like a flamenco dancer on acid and is absolutely stunning. I’ve admired her gowns for years. Now she’s dressing me. That’s what you get when you’re dating—fakedating—one of the owners of Alessi Fashion.
“Hello, darling.” She waltzes over to me, waving a yellow folding fan in front of her face with blackbirds etched on it. With a flick of the wrist, she closes the fan then kisses me on each cheek. “Lovely to see you again. We are going to have a lot of fun dressing you up today.”
“Thank you so much for doing this. You must be so busy. I appreciate you taking the time.”
She lightly taps her fan on my shoulder. “It’s my pleasure. I love dressing the Alessi men’s women.”
“Oh…I’m not…we’re…” Then I stop myself. I can’t tell her we’re fake dating. I’m not sure what Lucas has told her.
She smiles at me. There’s a knowing look in her eyes. “I know what’s going on. I know more than you might think.”
I frown. What does she mean by that? Before I get the chance to ask, she taps her fan on her chin and scans me from head to toe.
Turning to a woman who is taking a garment out of a bag, she says, “Siobhan, please get me the red.”
For the next couple of hours I play dress-up in the most stunning Alessi Fashion gowns I’ve ever seen. Juliette is taking in my hair coloring, skin tone, and the shape of my body. I’ve tried every color and every style, and each gown fits like a glove. How did Juliette know what would fit?
Back in the red dress I tried on first, I stand in front of a full-length mirror. I turn from side to side to take in all angles. The soft fabric twists to the side to sit on one shoulder, leaving the other one exposed. It hugs my body, showcasing my curves and cinching in the waist, giving me an hourglass figure. This creation is gorgeous. I’ve never felt more beautiful.
“Which gown will you choose?” Juliette asks.
“It has to be this one,” I say. “But I bet you already knew that.”
“I knew it was perfect for you the moment you put it on.”
“Why did you let me try on all the rest? I’ve wasted so much of your time.”
She waves the folding fan in front of her face. “Darling, it’s my pleasure. I don’t get to do stuff like this very often.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I run my hands down the length of me. “Do you think Lucas will like the dress?”
“That boy will swallow his tongue when he sees you.” She grins.
Next, I’m thrown into hair and makeup. Juliette leaves me in the trusted hands of the glam squad. They pluck and comb and tease and brush, and two hours later, I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. Large curls hang down my back with one side pinned behind my ear. The makeup is soft and emphasizes my blue eyes. It’s been such a fun few hours. One I’ll never forget.
Soon after the team packs up their things and leaves, Lucas arrives home. He’s already dressed in a tuxedo, and my stomach does a backflip at how gorgeous he looks. I’ve only seen him in jeans and a t-shirt. Lucas in a suit is mouthwatering.
He gives me a huge, appreciative grin as he scans me from head to toe. “You look stunning.”
“I’ve had a lot of help to look this good.”
Taking my hand, he pulls me closer. “Strip this all away and you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I dip my head at the compliment. “Thank you. You’re looking beautiful yourself.” His hair is combed back. The suit is tailored to fit across his broad shoulders. He looks like a super-sexy James Bond. “Oh, and I can’t believe you actually sent Juliette Monet here to style me.”
“Only the best for you, Pixie. You know, as much as I love looking at you in this dress, I’m going to love it more when I take it off and it’s lying on my bedroom floor.”
I gasp with mock horror. “You cannottoss this gown on the floor. That’s blasphemy!”
