Page 11 of Make No Mistake

“What is this event for? It must be a big deal if you’ve been suckered into going.”

“He’s being awarded for an organization he founded to help stop human trafficking. It’s actually pretty cool. They’ve saved over three hundred women and children in the first year.”

“Wow. That’s so very unselfish and unlike him.”

“I know. I think this wife is actually a good influence on him. She’s a model turned activist.”

“Aren’t they all?” I sighed. “I guess I’ll go get ready.”

He climbed the steps that separated us and gave me another hug, much less desperate this time. “Thank you, Mac, I owe you big time.”

I nodded and ascended the remaining stairs. “I know. I’ll think of something good.”

Aubrey was a miracle worker.Just less than two and a half hours in her bathroom and nobody would ever guess that I’d been in the ocean that morning. I was scrubbed, primed, tweezed, and polished to perfection.

She began pulling things together moments after Jay had asked for her help. Her mom had a friend in the area that just happened to be an up and coming designer that jumped at the chance for one of her dresses to be seen at a Jack Whittaker event. She loaned it with the one expectation of me name-dropping her as much as possible. Since the dress was absolute perfection, I was sure there would be no shortage of people asking about it. After asking Aubrey for my measurements and coloring, she sent over a blush pink column gown with an asymmetrical ruffle on the skirt. I never would have picked something like it for myself, but it was just what I needed for a Hollywood studded event. No one in their right mind would confuse me for a waitress in this gown.

“You look like a supermodel, Mac!” Aubrey was circling around me, looking for any slight imperfections.

“Thanks for your help! I never would have been able to pull this off without you. I would have put my hair in a bun and worn my go-to little black dress.”

She laughed, but we both knew it was true. “This is what I’m here for, my little Cinderella.”

I applied a dab of sheer gloss while she finished spraying my hair. She somehow tamed my normal beach waves into soft curls any old Hollywood actress would kill for. As much as it pained me to admit it, I did look like a model. The dress fit like a glove, giving the appearance of curves I didn’t naturally have. I ran my hands over the fine material and smiled at her.

“Thanks. I didn’t know I had a fairy godmother.” I winked and seconds later the doorbell rang.

“Stay in here! I want you to make a grand entrance!”

“Fine, bossy pants.” She shut the bedroom door behind her, leaving me alone standing in front of the mirror. I had just enough time for another once over before she called my name.

I walked to the door and let out a deep breath. I was about to step into the twilight zone that was Jay’s secret life. I slowly opened the door and stepped out. Aubrey already had her phone out and pointed at me. She was such a mom sometimes.

My eyes met Jay’s, and my heart dropped. He was wearing a perfectly tailored tux, making him look like a young James Bond, with slightly messier hair. His face was clean-shaven, something I didn’t think I’d ever seen, and his eyes were dazzling. I felt like a peasant in his presence.

“Wow, Mckayla, I …” He never finished his thought, he just kept staring at me. Aubrey turned her phone from me to get some shots of him. I felt like a bride walking down the aisle with the way his eyes worshipped me. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair, making it even more perfectly disheveled.

“I don’t think I want to take you anymore.” He shook his head as he took a few steps closer to me. “I don’t want you around those sharks. My dad might even try to make you wife number eight.”

I tried to laugh, but my chest seemed to tighten as he got closer.

“You are breathtaking.” He was standing inches from me, looking at me like he’d never seen me before, like we hadn’t spent the past four years together.

“Alright, you two. Time to get going before you maul each other right in the middle of the living room.”

Aubrey broke whatever spell we were under. We each took a step back and smiled shyly at each other. We were acting like we were teenagers going on our first date. This was Jay, one of my best friends. He’d seen me in flannel pajamas for crying out loud. He was not someone I got embarrassed around, ever.

“Are you ready?” Jay seemed to have come to the same realization I had and clicked back into real-life mode.

“I just need my bag.” I turned to my room, but Aubrey called out and stopped me.

“Right here. I put in everything you’ll need.” I took the tiny clutch that matched the dress and gave her a quick hug.

“Thanks again for everything, Bree.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go have fun, you two!” She snapped one last picture before shoving us out of the door.

Jay laughed and offered me his arm which I accepted, feeling like a true princess. “You look beautiful, Mac. Seriously so beautiful.”