“Well… yeah… I did,” I admit. “I did it for the money,” I quickly add. “Just for the money.” I don’t mention the fact that I had a great time, and have fallen hopelessly in lust for the enigmatic, notorious Colton Rossi.
“I see,” she says. “That makes sense, I guess. You know you can always come to us…” Her words trail off because she knows where I stand on this issue. She’s offered to help me out financially before, but I know her and David don’t have that much either, and they’re planning on starting a family. They own the general store in town, and with the new Walmart just in, I know she’s lost a lot of business. I try to shop there as much as I can to help them out, but I hate to admit that I shop at Walmart too because the prices can’t be beat, and they always have what I’m looking for. I hate myself a little every time I step into that place.
“What should I wear?” Cassie goes on, a slice of pizza in her hand. “I was thinking of my red Betsey Johnson dress. You know the one?”
Yes, the tight too-short one.“Yep,” I say.
“What does it look like?” Miriam asks, curious.
Cassie is quick to pull her phone out of her pocket, and she feverishly scrolls until she finds the photo she’s looking for.
“Oh, that’s adorable,” Miriam gushes. “I can’t even remember the last time I dressed up and went somewhere.”
“David doesn’t take you to the Casino anymore?” I ask, wondering if everything is okay with them.
She shakes her head. “We’re both so busy… you know how it is.”
I nod. I do. I definitely do. Being a single mom with a job is very busy. Another reason why I don’t need an ill-advised romance in my life.
With full stomachs and glasses of margarita in our hands, we all happily settle on the sofa and watch the movie. I try not to think about Colton, and the fact that Cassie will be at his party, in his home, in two weeks’ time. I ponder her suggestion. Should I go again?
I really want to. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I want to do it again; the food, the edibles, the music. I felt so light that night. I was someone else for a change. I wasn’t a single mom who works too much, who lugs her dirty laundry to town, who cleans her own gutters. No, I was a spoiled princess in a beautiful dress. And much to my surprise, I had the attentions of the prince.
I want to do it again. But that would mean applying again by the end of the week (the deadline is Friday at midnight, a week before the party). And what if I don’t make it in this time? I would be completely heartbroken. I would hate him. Forever. No, I can’t go there. It was a fun night, but that’s all it was. Colton and I… it’s not real. And it’s definitely not a smart idea. It was just a fantasy. And now it’s over.
“Kiss her!” Cassie screams at the television screen.
“He can’t kiss her,” Miriam pipes in. “He’s married.”
“But his wife is a cheating bitch!”
I laugh. Cassie always gets so emotional when she watches movies or television shows. She gets really invested, seems to forget that the characters are fictional. I suppose that’s the best way to be.
The movie finally comes to an end, after almost two hours. Yet, we are all still wide awake, and the night is still young. Unfortunately, the conversation turns to Colton Rossi again. I’ve been trying to forget all about him all night, but here he is again.
“I kind of envy you two,” Miriam is saying. “I’d secretly love to go to one of those parties.”
Cassie laughs out loud. “I don’t think David would approve.”
“No, I’m afraid not,” Miriam concedes. “But seriously, how was it… inside?”
We’ve all seen the lovely Rossi Estate a thousand times, but very few have had the pleasure of venturing inside. Mr. Rossi is a reclusive type, and if you’re not an attractive and young single woman, your chances of seeing the inside of his lovely home are slim.
“It’s gorgeous,” I tell her. “The views of the lake are breathtaking. The ceilings are a mix of dark wood and copper-accented coffered ceilings. The walls are white… with pops of bright colorful art… the place looks like an art gallery.”
They both listen attentively, completely riveted. I’ve never held the attention of a room like this, and I revel in it. “The kitchen is top of the line of course, stainless steel galore and granite counter tops,” I go on. “I’ve only seen the main living area and the lower level, mind you,” I explain. “I’ve also gone up the stairs to his office area, and visited the powder room, but that’s it.” I don’t mention the white candy room — they might get the wrong idea. “His collection of guitars and other string instruments hang on the walls in the main living area. And he has this fabulous grand piano.”
Cassie sighs. “Sounds amazing. I can’t believe I’m going to see it with my own eyes soon. I’m so freaking excited.”
My heart sinks a little at the sound of her words. Please don’t pick her, Colton. Pick someone else. She can’t be the chosen one, I silently beg.
“He’s a beautiful man,” Miriam says. “Absolutely stunning… and very polite.”
Cassie’s eyes widen. “How do you know him?”
“He comes in the store quite often,” she tells us. “He’s one of my best customers in fact.”
“Makes sense,” I chime in. “A guy like him wouldn’t be caught dead shopping at Walmart.”
