AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Hmm." I place the cigar in the notch in the ashtray, then lean over and grab him by the scruff of his neck. Which, mind you, was easier when he was a skinny junior who always got ragged by the rest of the boys for being the scrawniest of the bunch. Now, he’s six-foot-three, with shoulders like a quarterback, yet I can’t get over the habit of treating him like a cheeky younger sibling.
"Hey, watch it, man." He grabs my neck back in return.
Yep, he’s definitely grown up. Doesn’t mean I’m going to stop behaving like a protective older sibling. "Sometimes you do have words of wisdom to offer."
Liam snaps his fingers. "The V&A Ball. That’s the one you need to attend, and invite her to it, as well."
I glance between them. "I’ll go on one condition."
39
Zara
"How do I look?" I pop out a hip and the light bounces off of the Swarovski crystals that decorate my shimmery-silver, one-shoulder dress. It clings to me like it was made for me, which it probably was, considering it arrived in a box by special delivery just a few hours ago. I almost turned it away, until I noticed the label on the box. Armani. Only a fool would turn away the chance to wear an Armani original, and a fool, I am not. Still, I hesitated when the courier handed over the second box. This one bore the Manolo Blahnik label. And if I had any doubt, the third box—this one sporting the Birkin brand—sealed the deal.
"Well?" I quirk an eyebrow at the phone which I’ve propped up against the mirror.
"You look gorgeous and that dress might as well be painted on," Solene replies from the screen.
"That’s what I thought, too." I turn sideways, running a hand down my stomach.
"You look amazing, Z."
"It’s the dress," I demur.
"It’s the woman in the dress. Your confidence shines through."
"That’s the glitter of the Swarovski crystals." I laugh weakly.
"The man knows your weakness." She chuckles.
"Doesn’t he ever." If I had any remaining doubts about accepting the dress, they vanished as soon as I slid it on. Something about the gunmetal color, and the one-shouldered cut, lent a regal air to the outfit. As for the fit… It’s clear he memorized my curves. There’s no other way the dress could have fit without my having tried it on in advance. I thrust out a leg and the slit, which slashes almost up to my waist, parts to reveal the line of my thigh. As for the heels, the Manolo Blahnik’s have a bondage-type strap that clings lovingly to my ankle.
"Those shoes alone are going to make the man combust."
"I hope so." I look at myself with a critical eye. I’m dressed to bring a man to his knees. And he must have known this would be the outcome when he sent me this specific combination of clothes to wear.
"You sure about this, though?" Solene’s voice pulls me out of my reverie.
"You mean about wearing the clothes he sent me?"
"It’s your favorite designers, and creations you couldn’t possibly buy off the shelf, so I’m not surprised you didn’t turn it away. It’s just…won’t he misinterpret your wearing the clothes he sent you for your encouraging him?"
"He might." I run my palms down the Swarovski studded fabric. "And if I had turned it away, he’d have won, and I can’t allow that."
"This thing between the two of you isn’t a game," she cautions.
"Sure could have fooled me," I murmur
"Just don’t want you getting hurt, babe."
Might be a little too late for that. I turn to face her image on the phone screen. "I’ll be careful, I promise."
"Good. You’re a strong woman, Zara, but you have a heart that can be hurt easily."
Damn, when your friends see you so clearly, it’s humbling. "You’re a good friend, Solene."
"Because I’m looking out for you?" She laughs. "If our roles were reversed, you’d do the same. You know that."
