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“This is . . . personal.”
And you want to take me?She could ask what was personal about it, but there was another way to obtain that same information. She could accept his so called invitation.
“What time and what’s the attire?” She didn’t have any information, and even worse, she wasn’t sure she had the right dress.
“Black tie,” he said.
Gia was screwed. It was Saturday, and she didn’t own anything formal. No way was she informing Mr. Fancy Pants of that. Purchasing one was out of the question. But she had a friend back home who was involved in the local theater. People were donating stuff to them all the time. The last show Gia went to, she’d been in awe over the gowns. Please have one in my size.
She got up and said, “I better get going.”
“I thought we were going to talk about the photo,” Roger said.
Gia couldn’t believe him. She had no problem setting him straight. “I’m not sure how much you know about women, but you can’t ask someone to a black tie event and expect them to sit around sipping tea and talking. I need to get ready.”
She could feel his eyes slowly roam from toe to head. “Red,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
“Do you have a red dress?”
Gia wanted to burst out laughing and tell him she didn’t have one in any color. Instead she shrugged. “Why?”
“You can pull off a bold color like that.”
With her hands on her hips, she stated, “Although I appreciate the compliment, I do not need your guidance on what to wear. All I need is time to get ready. Where should I meet you?”
“I’ll pick you up at eight. And before you argue, there is no way you’re riding a bus to the Gold Crown Plaza.”
“Eight o’clock it is.” With that she rushed out of the café, already dialing Vickie.
“Hi Gia. Are you home for the weekend?”
It was funny that no matter how long she lived away from Maplesville, her family and friends always called Rhode Island her home. “Sorry Vickie, but I have plans. That’s actually why I’m calling. If I promise to make you my maid of honor, will you do me a huge favor?”
Vickie screeched. “You’re getting married?”
Gia laughed. “No. But if I was, you’ll be my maid of honor.”
Letting out a long exasperated sigh, Vickie added, “That wasn’t very funny.”
“I know, but I believe I owe you for that surprise party the last time I visited.”
She could picture Vickie’s overdramatic eye roll. “Really, you need to loosen up a little.”
“Vickie, you know I don’t sing.” And definitely not in public. But what was she supposed to do when her best friend went through all the trouble to plan the party around singing karaoke.
“Okay, you win. So what is it you need?”
“A dress. I mean a gown. Oh hell, Vickie, you know I’m not good at this.”
“Tell me about it. Your wardrobe is meant for the office. That’s it.”
“Normally that’s all I need. But I’m attending a formal event.”
“I’m sure I have something for you. How soon do you need it?” Vickie asked.
Clearing her throat, Gia prepared herself for the gasp that was surely going to follow. “The event’s tonight.”
