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Over the meal, we relax and talk about the memories of when we were kids. There is a lot of laughter, and I still feel the connection with Kyle I did back then, making me happy inside. Here I never thought I’d see him again, but we’re together in this beautiful city and working together.
Well, not together. We’re just rekindling our friendship and apparently, a fake date. I never would have guessed this was in my future.
As we wrap dinner up, Kyle writes something down on a card and hands it to me.
“Mom always uses Rachel for the events when she shops for a dress. It’s just one shop, private, and I hear she works magic. I am going to set up a tab there for you and I’d suggest going this week or the weekend at the latest. There might be alterations involved.”
I look at the card that boasts the name of a store in Seattle and then the number on the back. It sounds expensive and I hesitate to say anything. I have never shopped like that in my life.
“Are you sure, Kyle? I’m sure I can figure something out.”
“I want a dress that suits you perfectly, Laina. We need to make everyone notice us, so my mom gets the hint, and this is how. Enjoy yourself. I won’t miss whatever the dress and accessories cost.”
“Oh. Goodness. Accessories? I was just going to wear a pair of heels I have at home.” I pressed a hand to my chest as the server took my card to run it.
“Have fun. You deserve it and can’t women always find a reason to wear heels?” Kyle jokes as I smile. “I’m told Rachel makes sure you have everything you need.”
He drops me at my apartment, and I walk on a cloud through the door. Today was everything I thought it would be.
Kyle is still the same sweet guy underneath the wealth and the job and just wants to go back to the treehouse and play games like I do. He wants to relax and just enjoy his life and if I can help by being his date to an event, why not? Nobody needs the pressure he gets to find a wife and settle down, and I don’t understand that to begin with.
My parents want me to find someone that cares for me and makes me happy. There isn’t pressure from them, and Mom tells me to take my time and find the right one. There was a time I envied Kyle’s family and their wealth, but no more.
It comes with too many strings.
The work week began normally as the team gets back together. We jump right into the current campaign, and it feels good to work somewhere I love. I don’t get any weird vibes from Eli and I’m so glad because working together like this could get uncomfortable fast.
I feel like we’re friends after dinner and that feels good. I’d like a few friends in this place.
After work on Wednesday, I call Rachel to make an appointment to shop for the charity event. There’s a part of me that just wants to go to a department store and get something, but I’ve seen photos from these things where the meal is upwards of one thousand dollars per plate.
I tell myself to have fun as I park my car and smile when I walk into the store. It is more of a boutique, and I’ve never shopped somewhere like this, but Rachel impresses me. She asked for a photo of me when I set up the appointment to pull dresses and after a warm greeting; we go right to a back room where there’s several dresses on a rack.
I look around, seeing some couches and a charcuterie tray with a bottle of champagne beside it.
“That’s something we do for all our guests. Shopping is serious business.” Rachel smiles at me and I nod, feeling nervous. “So, I understand you’ll be at the upcoming charity event for the shelter? That’s one of the biggest here in Seattle.”
“I will.” I glance at the dresses in different colors and fabrics and then see a rack of shoes to the left of that. “Kyle was my best friend for years back east.”
“He told me to take good care of you.” Rachel smiles and walks over to the dresses, urging me to take a look. I do and find that she picked everything I’d choose for myself, and I settle on a deep red dress to try on first. Rachel helps me every step of the way and I lose myself in the experience, having fun and laughing as I play a grown-up game of dress-up.
A couple of hours later, I decide on a dress in deep purple with a slight shimmer. It’s almost black, but you can pick up on the color in the light. It has delicate straps that fall over my shoulders and a fitted torso with a flowing skirt that falls over my waist and legs. I feel like a princess in it, and I always thought that was such a cliche.
Rachel tells me how much it compliments my eyes, and we find a black heel to go with it that might cost more than the dress itself. She also finds a simple sapphire necklace, and it’s the perfect outfit.
I just feel terrible that Kyle is buying it.
“Kyle told me to spoil you, Laina. He says you deserve all of this and more. Have fun with the dress and the night. You’re a lucky girl.” Rachel touches my shoulder with a smile.
“Thank you,” I tell her with a smile, wanting to scream that it’s all fake. Instead, I take the dress to my car where it will live in my closet for over a week, and send Kyle a text telling him thank you for such a fun night.
I decide I am paying for the hair and makeup that afternoon, though. A dress like that needs a little help.
8
The First Act
Kyle
