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CASH

What the hell do I wear to this party?

Wondering what to wear typically wasn’t something that I spent much time on. Especially now with my new job. Each day I wore one of the Equinox polo shirts with shorts or jeans, though now that it was basically the end of September, short season was quickly fading in Tahoe. Braxton had mailed me the rest of my clothes that I’d left in L.A., so I planned on putting the shorts away for the season after the party this weekend.

But what the fuck was I wearing to this private party? I was mere hours away from the private party weekend and needed to figure this out.

I wasn’t a guest, but more of a small business vendor. Yet, I didn’t really have a business. I was still confused about what exactly I was doing. I mean, I knew I was drawing people as they commissioned me over the weekend. But having never attended a party like this, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

And I was quickly running out of time. I needed to pack a weekend bag since I’d be staying at the Equinox from tonight until Monday morning.

Cash: What the fuck do I wear to this thing, Brax?

Braxton: Send me a video of what you have, and Quinn and I will put something together for you.

I quickly took a video of the clothes in my closet and sent it to Braxton. I also sent him a picture of the “Events” card that Joel gave me a few days ago. It mainly listed mealtimes and the time for the fair preview on Thursday evening and then the fair times on Friday.

Braxton: Cash, man, your clothes blow. You really need to get some new threads. Since you’ve ditched the law field, you need to ditch the uptight clothes.

Cash: Don’t be an asshole. You know funds are limited right now.

Braxton: You need an entire wardrobe makeover.

I was quickly getting annoyed at his jabs, mainly because I knew he was right. I’d gone to my classes in twill or polyester pants and either polos or long-sleeved button-down shirts. Was it something I’d wanted to do? Not really, but it was how a lot of other law students dressed, and my parents always told me that I needed to make strong visual impressions even before opening my mouth. I had a couple pairs of jeans and some T-shirts that were my favorite clothes. But I couldn’t wear those to this event. This was a private party, and I couldn’t look like a college kid.

Cash: Are you going to help me with what I have or not?

Braxton: Yes, just give me a minute. I’m trying to find what fucking polo to pair with what pants. That is truly all you have?

Cash: Yeah, fucker. Now help me.

While I waited for Braxton’s text, I pulled out my favorite jeans and set them on the bed. I was thinking about wearing these on Friday to the fair, but maybe I should save these for Saturday. Fuck, I had no clue. Joel had said the event was casual and to wear whatever I was comfortable in. I’d specifically asked him if I should wear my Equinox shirts, and he said not to.

I hurried to my phone that was sitting on the dresser when I heard a text notification come in. At first, I was disappointed when the text was from my bank instead of Braxton because I really needed to get packed fast. Tristen was coming by to pick me up in a little over an hour. However, the bank text was notifying me of a $7,000 deposit from Equinox Resorts.

“What the fuck?” I said out loud as I sat on the bed. I logged into my account on the banking app and sure enough, the funds were processing. This was different from the weekly figure they paid me for the caretaking of the cabin rentals.

I logged out of the bank app once Braxton’s text came over. He’d listed out the outfits for each day and suggested I pack a backup outfit. Since time wasn’t on my side, I made quick work of packing the clothes, underwear, socks, and toiletries in my weekender bag. I grabbed a pair of swim trunks and flip flops in case I had time to sit in the spa or pool. Though, if they just paid me $7,000 for today through Monday, I’d be sure to make myself available for whatever they wanted from me.

I took my bag downstairs and set it by the door. I quickly grabbed my phone charger and dropped it into the bag. I went to the counter and opened the plastic baggie that had all the pencils in them. I pulled out the manual sharpener and began to sharpen all of the pencils. I’d just finished when Tristen sent me a text that he was on his way to pick me up.

After I emptied the shavings from the sharpener, I tossed the sharpener and my eraser block into the plastic bag and set them on my duffel. I just needed to grab my sketchbook. I’d ordered a new one that had a perforated edge. That way if someone did commission me to sketch them, I could easily give them the drawing. I also ordered some kraft paper sleeves to put the sketch in so it wouldn’t get wrecked in their travels. Joel said that they could opt to have the sketches shipped, and he’d help me get all of that arranged.

As soon as I saw Tristen’s black Defender pull up to my cabin, I quickly put my sketch supplies in a plastic grocery bag then grabbed my bag and flung the strap over my shoulder before I opened the door. I waved at Tristen as he closed his car door and then fished the key out of my pocket.

“Hey, Tristen,” I said just as I locked the door.

“You always seem so jumpy,” Tristen commented.

Why do you have to look, sound, and act so fucking sexy? I would have asked that, if I’d had the balls to say something like that to my boss.

He propped his foot on the first step and wrapped his hand around the wooden handrail. My heart started to pound, and I felt my cheeks heat while I stared at his biceps that seemed to press against the fabric of his shirt perfectly. With his arm stretched outward on the handrail, the sleeve on his T-shirt pulled against his skin, subtly exposing his muscles.

Honestly, I didn’t think it was a subtle gesture. Tristen knew exactly what he was doing. Confidence dripped off this guy standing still.

“You’ve got those red cheeks again.” He smiled and then winked at me. His winking was so disruptive to me, and I had no idea why. “Come on; I want to make sure you get settled into your suite and have time to relax before the party starts this evening.”