I pushed my way out of Konni’s arms in a panic.
“Not twenty-four hours, Mom,” Konni said.“Or Sophia will change her mind.”
Kaya met my wide-eyed gaze and quickly said, “Your future daughter-in-law just saved you.Work harder.I’ll let you know when we have a date.I love you too.”
She hung up and sat down, leaning forward eagerly.“How soon can we announce it?”
I glanced at Mom, who gave me a “serves you right” look.
“Actually, I was hoping we could do a phased approach,” I said.“Instead of an abrupt announcement that would only feed the belief I’m social climbing, I want to create an irresistible Cinderella story of two people falling in lovebecausea misunderstanding drew them together.”
Kaya’s eyes gleamed.“Tell me what you have in mind.”
“We use the truth behind what’s already been published.The fake news about you offering me money to leave Konni brought us together.You met my Mom because of it and formed a friendship.We lost our home, and you insisted that your new friend and her daughter stay with you because you now know someone is trying to target the people you care about.”
She slowly nodded.“And living together would explain growing feelings between the two of you.We’ll need public opportunities to show a visible whirlwind progression of your relationship.”
I’d been thinking of a slow progression, but she was right about it needing to be a whirlwind.Anything slow would either be uninteresting to the media or give someone time to sabotage us.And now that I was ready, I didn’t want to give anyone that opportunity.
Kaya opened her phone calendar.
“This is perfect.There’s a gathering at Clay and Leaf tomorrow afternoon.I wasn’t going to go, but I’ll RSVP for three.We’ll go without Konni so I can introduce you both as friends gained through misunderstanding and misfortune.”
Butterflies danced in my stomach, and Konni’s fingers threaded through mine as she continued.
“Sunday, there’s a golf outing.Wednesday evening, there’s a fashion show.Saturday, there’s a charity gala at a hotel downtown.We’ll need gowns for Wednesday and Saturday.
"It’s a good thing we already have options for you, Abbye.You have an amazing figure, but that cast was a big wrench to overcome.”
I glanced at Mom.“When did you buy gowns?”
She grinned.“Tuesday.”
While I was worrying at work, she and Kaya had been shopping?No fair.
“That means we can dedicate tonight to finding something for you,” Kaya said.
“Not tonight,” Konni said.“You can have her tomorrow after I leave for the office at seven.”
Kaya beamed and quickly agreed.
Stomach churning nervously over what I’d set in motion, I picked at the rest of my dinner.When Konni asked if I was done, I nodded and let him lead me away.
As soon as we were in our room with the door closed, he pulled me into his arms.
“I’d rather rip out my heart than change your mind…but are you really ready, or are you agreeing because you feel guilty?”
I snuggled into him.“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel guilty.But that’s not what’s motivating me.You are.
“You respect my boundaries, my dreams, and always put me first.People will think what they want, whether I’m social climbing, after your money, or not.I want to stop being afraid and do what feels right.
"And being with you has felt right from the beginning.I think that’s why it’s so scary, too.”
He groaned, capturing the back of my head.
“Remember you started this,” he said.
I eagerly met his demanding kiss.
