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“So what are you here for?” I ask.
“We’re here to help you get ready for your dinner tonight. We've been hired to do your hair and makeup as well as styling you.”
My mouth drops open as I scan the contents of their bags. There are multiple outfits, not to mention makeup. Lots of makeup.
This day really could not get any weirder. Why would he do this? I thought this was just supposed to be a normal dinner for us to sign some papers. Not… whatever this is.
I let the women primp me, all the while checking myself out in the mirror to make sure they aren’t going too overboard. I'm a little nervous since not everyone knows the best way to apply makeup on a Black girl. Thankfully, they’re very good at their jobs, and by the time they’re done, I’m thoroughly impressed.
“So you guys really won’t tell me what this is all about?” I ask for about the millionth time.
One of the women shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. After handing me a purse to go with the outfit they put me in, they pack up their things and leave the room, leaving me all alone with my nerves.
I glance in the mirror, smoothing my hands over the dark green silk dress they put me in. It’s tight, showing off practically every curve. It’s certainly not what I expected to be wearing tonight.
My hair is perfect, my curls framing my face in a way that makes me envious of their skills. Thankfully, they kept my makeup minimal. Some mascara, a red lip, and not much else.
For the second time today, I hear a knock at my door. I look at my phone, seeing that it’s already six o’clock, the time we agreed I’d be ready at. My breath catches in my throat, but I roll my shoulders back and stride towards the door, forcing myself to feel confidence instead of nervousness.
But when I open the door, all of that disappears. The sight of Cedrick standing there makes it hard for me to speak. He looks so handsome in his suit, the navy-blue color of it making his deep blue eyes stand out even more.
“Wow, you look stunning.”
I’m tongue tied. I’ve completely forgotten how to even speak. A small voice in the back of my head is telling me to speak up, to compliment him back, but I simply can’t do it. It’s like I’m stuck in place.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m a grown woman, not some teenager facing a high school crush. And yet, I feel as if my heart is going to explode.
“Ellie?”
I force myself to swallow before opening my mouth. Something comes out of it, but I don’t even hear it. Instead, I watch the way his eyes sparkle from the overhead lights reflecting in them.
Cedrick chuckles, breaking me out of my stupor.
“Yes, I’m ready,” he says. “Are you?”
I nod, giving him my best smile.
“Well, then let’s head downstairs. I have a car waiting to take us to the restaurant.”
I close the hotel room door behind me before following him down the hall.
As we walk, I realize that this is the closest I’ve ever come to butterflies over a boy. When I was a teenager, I never really got to experience that. I was too focused on other things.
Figures, it would happen now, at a time when I’m supposed to be mature and make adult decisions. How the hell am I going to sit across from this man and think about the contract, when all I can focus on is how gorgeous he is?
“So what exactly is going on?” I ask once I’ve calmed down a bit. We reach the elevator and step inside, where he presses the button for the lobby.
“What do you mean? We’re going to dinner.”
“Yes, but what’s with the stylists and the makeup artists? Is this a date or something?”
Cedrick shrugs, flashing me a grin.
“Does it matter? I figured why not have a little fun with this? Why not put on a show?”
Once we reach the lobby, he takes my hand and leads me outside and to the car. He opens the door and gestures for me to get in.
As we drive off, I feel both intrigued and bewildered. This is the exact opposite of how I thought the night would go. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly enjoying it. Or dying to know what's coming.
