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Chapter 5
Wednesday afternoon, Sammy finished the workday and made her way to the restroom. She glanced at her phone, hoping one of her friends had come through about lending her a dress for Friday night. No one had. Not that she expected any of them to. Where would they get a dress fancy enough to attend a gala? Where was she going to get a dress like that?
She should have told Tyler no when he invited her. She could have made an excuse about having other plans or something. The truth was she didn’t want to turn him down. She wanted to attend the function with him. He made her feel like Cinderella, and taking her to a ball was like a dream come true. The only thing she was missing was a fairy godmother.
She was running out of time. The gala was less than two days away and she had no idea where she was going to get a gown. She had some money saved, but when she went to the department store the night before, she realized how little her rainy day stash would get her.
She splashed cold water over her face and took a deep breath. She would have to tell Tyler she couldn’t make it. Disappointment dominated her emotions. Not because she couldn’t go, but she didn’t want to let him down. He’d been so kind to her. Now that they were getting closer, there were things she wanted to tell him, things he should know, but how could she tell him about her past when all she had to go on was suspicion?
She gazed at herself in the mirror.You’re in over your head.The flush in her cheeks overtook her face, just as her eyes filled with hot, stinging tears. Before long, her mascara stained her skin. Her eyes were red and puffy. The problem wasn’t the dress. She had let her relationship get too far with a man she had no business pursuing. How could she stop what was happening between them? She’d never felt this way about anyone.
“Are you okay?” Coda stood behind her, staring at Sammy in the reflection of the glass.
Sammy hadn’t heard her come in. Feeling embarrassed, she tried to get a hold of herself. “I, um... Yes, I’m fine.” She took a tissue from the box on the counter and wiped her tears. “It’s one of those days.” She tried to smile. “I’m okay.”
“I don’t think so.” Coda continued to stare at her.
Sammy took in her delicate features and striking bone structure. Coda was as beautiful in person. Sammy had been following her in the society papers for over a year. Everyone in the neighborhood was. When a local girl hooks up with a billionaire from Manhattan, people become intrigued.
“What’s wrong?” Coda asked. “Is Jack giving you a hard time?”
“No, he’s wonderful.”
“Tyler?” Coda shook her head. “Did he screw things up already?”
“Tyler is great. I’ve never met anyone like him.” She couldn’t help the tears that slipped out of the corner of her eyes when she thought about having to tell him she couldn’t go with him on Friday. He’d never understand her reason. She was certain the women he dated never had a problem buying expensive clothes.
“If my brother-in-law is so perfect, why are you crying when you mention his name?” Coda handed her another tissue. “What did he do?”
“It’s not Tyler, it’s me.”
“What’s got you so upset?”
As Sammy searched Coda’s brown eyes, she sensed a familiarity in them. Maybe she wanted to feel some connection to this woman. They weren’t that different. Were they?
“Tyler invited me to the gala on Friday night.”
“He told me. It’ll be a fun time. I’m glad he asked you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “Us Brooklyn girls have to stick together, especially when it comes to those Cannon men. They can be a bit complicated.”
“You and Spencer are so happy. The way he looks at you would make any woman melt.”
