“And swearing is another thing you’ll want to work on.”
She squished up her face. “I’m working on that. Okay, I think I get it. So you want to spend the next few months making me classy so you can show me off at this party?”
“Yes.”
“And then you’ll sign?”
I hesitated. She sat up straighter. “That’s what you said!” her voice grew high-pitched. “You can’t change your story now.”
“I can’t in good conscious sign things off as they are now.”
“Ford, you promised.” She was even louder now. “Verbally binding. You said it.”
“Shh, I know. Shh. I know what I said.” I moved to her side of the booth. My hands reached for her shoulders to calm her but I balled my fists, reminding me to keep my hands to myself. She watched the actions with skepticism. “All I’m saying is that he will need to update the blueprints or make some safety changes. That’s an easy fix. We have time to get that done.”
“Okay.” Her frown was in place. “If I’m about to change my whole life for your career, you better not screw me over on this.”
“I won’t.”
We held each other’s gaze. We were so close. I was reminded of last night and things I wouldn’t let myself think about.
“Pinky promise,” she said holding up her pinky.
I put mine in hers. “Pinky promise.”
Her long eyelashes fluttered as she leaned forward to kiss her hand. I frowned, feeling ridiculous but I followed suit. Our faces were inches apart.
She watched me closely.
Her eyes were even more startlingly captivating this close. How could someone walk around life looking this beautiful all the time? How did she get anything done? She crackled with passion. Being near to her was risking getting burned.
I straightened to put distance between us and cleared my throat. She studied me and slid the last doughnut towards me.
“Thank you.” I took a bite and chewed as she grinned at me.
My heart was racing like this because of what was at stake. Nothing more.
I admit I had my own preconceived notions about Suzie's capability to undergo such a change, but those were based on my own past insecurities that I projected upon her. Of all people, I especially understood what changing a person could accomplish.
She was unrefined, uncultured, crass—and she was my only hope. I shoved the rest of the doughnut in my mouth.
Chapter 9
Suzie
The chick who picked me up was so hot I instantly distrusted her. Her hair was a shade of red that nobody was actually born with. But her roots were perfect, so it was definitely her natural color. She had an impeccable style that was biker/boho/pinup-girl chic that made my lounger jumpsuit feel cheap by comparison. It shouldn’t work but it did on her.
“You Suzie?” She asked examining me over the top of stupidly cute sunglasses.
“Yup.” I was glad that at least my hair was on point and my eyelashes were real.
“Sweet. I’m Gretchen LaRoe. I’m your ride.”
My reflection in the car frowned. When Ford and I discussed how all this would work I told him I had a car but Daddy needed it. Not that Daddy went anywhere but the bars. I didn’t tell Ford I had no way of getting to his place and decided to just use one of those rideshare things. I guess I’d expected some fancy all black sedan with a driver who wore dark glasses and never spoke—maybe all sexy-like with tattoos and big muscles. Anything but a redhead in a Honda Accord who snapped her gum loudly when she looked me up and down.
It felt weird to have someone drive me around. I wasn’t sure if I should sit in the back like Ms. Daisy or what.
“Need help with the bags?” she asked.
