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Chapter
Twenty-Two
It's been over a week since I returned home from my trip to see Andrea and each day since then has creeped by with an uncertain weight holding me down. My twenty second birthday is quickly approaching and with it brings my date with Bentley.
Though I have yet to hear a thing from him, I can only assume that the plan has not changed, considering I still have the dress and the ticket and specific instructions to meet him at 7pm on the 29th. Tonight.
I have considered not going a million times. I have envisioned how he would react if I just didn't show up. Would he wait for me? Would he go in and enjoy the show without me? Would he come looking for me? And while in my head, every scenario turns out differently, deep down I feel like I don't really have a choice to let any of them play out.
I have to go. Not for Bentley, but for myself. The way things were left in Vermont has eaten at me for days and I am not the type of girl that lets things eat at her, at least not where men are concerned. I need closure. I need to move past this situation.
But more than that, I really just want to see him again. I can make excuses, lie to myself even. But at the end of the day, I know myself and I know that Bentley Reed has more of a hold on me than even I am willing to admit.
Drying my hair with a towel, I stare at the beautiful cream gown draped across my bed. I imagine Bentley's face when he sees me in it. I imagine what his hands would feel like against my body as he removes it.
Turning away from the bed, I take a deep breath and try to pull myself together. I can't ever remember a time I was this nervous. Even during big recitals where I had full song solos, I didn't feel the nerves that I feel right now. Every inch of my body is wound tight and my stomach is knotted so badly, I feel like I might vomit at any minute.
Approaching the floor length mirror in my room, I stare back at myself in my barely there cream colored thong and breast petals. I know I am going to feel naked under the dress but with the way it's cut, anything more than this would be hanging out all evening.
Grabbing my make up bag, I spend the next few minutes applying a light layer of product. Not too much, as I want to keep a natural look, but enough to really highlight my eyes and brighten my cheeks.
Deciding to wear my hair down, I run a quick blow dry through it and then wrap it in rollers, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before pulling them out and watching the large waves bounce around my shoulders. After playing with it for a few minutes and taming each piece into perfect position, I retrieve the dress from my bed and hold it up in front of myself.
While it is beautiful and I don't want to seem ungrateful for such an amazing gift, I have to admit that for whatever reason, it's just not me. I don't know why I feel that way. Maybe it's the color or the fact that I know it costs more than anything I have ever owned before.
Regardless, I take a deep breath and step into the silky fabric, pulling it up and adjusting the straps off of my shoulders before stepping back and taking a good look at myself in the mirror. The dress fits me perfectly, hugging each curve just right and accenting my slim frame.
I trail my hands down my torso, loving the feeling of the material under my fingers. Crossing the room to my dresser, I slip on the pearl earrings Patty let me borrow and grab my heels from beside my bed. I am set to meet Bentley in just over thirty minutes and it takes me at least twenty to reach the city so I know I need to get going.
I pause in front of the mirror again, willing myself to walk out the door but not quite ready to take that step just yet. “You can do this.” I say aloud, for the first time allowing myself to really take in my appearance. I can't remember a time when I have looked so elegant before and honestly, it's almost like seeing a stranger in the mirror.
Turning away from my reflection, I peel open my bedroom door and set off down the hall, thankful that Patty is not home from the studio yet. At least this way I am able to avoid an awkward conversation that I am sure would take place in regards to Bentley. Somethings I can talk to Patty about with no reservations. Unfortunately, men is not one of those things.
Slipping on my heels, I grab my keys off of the kitchen counter before heading to the door, switching off all of the lights before stepping outside and locking the door behind me. The minute I turn, I freeze in place.
Bentley's eyes catch me immediately and I have to physically force myself not to falter. He's dressed in an all black suit, his hair is still the stylish mess that I love but somewhat more tame at the same time. He looks every bit of the powerful sexy man that he is and I simply am not prepared for what it feels like to see him like this.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach as he smiles widely in my direction and peels open the passenger side door of his black sports car, gesturing for me to get in. It feels like several slow moments pass before my feet finally begin to move and I cross the short distance of the sidewalk to where he is standing.
“You look incredible.” He says the moment I reach him, my skin prickling as his eyes trail the length of my body before finding my face again.
“So do you.” I manage to get out through the lump that has formed hard and tight in the center of my throat.
“Shall we?” He asks, tilting his head towards the open door. Without a word, I nod and then climb into the passenger side, my backside sinking low into the leather bucket seats of the car.
Closing my door, I watch Bentley cross behind the car in my side mirror before he peels open the drivers side door and slides in next to me, firing the engine to life on a deep purr that causes the seat below me to vibrate lightly.
“I thought I was meeting you there?” I question, turning slightly to look at his powerful profile as he pulls the car out of the driveway and down the deserted back street that Patty lives on.
“I owe you from the last time.” He says, immediately reminding me of our first night together and the fact that he sent a driver to pick me up rather than doing it himself.
“I see.” I say, tangling my fingers together as I stare at the stretch of road in front of us. “Well you really didn't need to come all this way.” I say, honestly just trying to make small talk. Normally I have no problem talking to men. But then again, I have never reallyfeltanything for a man before either so I guess you could say that I am in unfamiliar territory and honestly, I'm terrified.
“I wanted to.” He says, turning slightly to smile at me before turning his attention forward again.
Letting my eyes travel the interior of the car, it's clear to see that Bentley picked a car that is just as powerful as it is beautiful, very much like the man himself. Feeling the nervous energy creep up my back, I struggle not to fidget or seem too out of place. Needing something to fill the air, I reach towards the center console and stop just inches from the radio controls.
“Do you mind?” I ask, waiting for his response before tapping the radio on and letting out a long sigh when the bluesy music fills the small space. “Jazz?” I question, turning slightly to see a small smile pull up his lips.
