I was standing in front of the open closet in a dark slip, debating what to wear when Marcus stepped inside. He took one look at my thoughtful posture and shook his head.
“You’re not heading back in there, are you? I thought we decided it was better to live in the sunlight…”
I chuckled but gestured helplessly inside. “I don’t know what to wear. You’ve given me too many options.”
“Is that right?” he said thoughtfully, buttoning the cuffs on his dress shirt as he walked inside. He looked up and down the rows of dresses for a moment, before pulling something out and handing it to me.
“Really?” I asked in surprise.
It wasn’t what I would have guessed. It was stylish but rather old-fashioned. Vintage, you’d call it. It was a modest cut in dark green silk. A sweetheart top and a simple sheath silhouette that hugged around the bodice before flowing just down below my knees.
I liked it. I guess I was just surprised that Marcus did as well.
He turned around briefly as I took off the unnecessary slip and stepped into the dress. The cool fabric fit around me like a glove, and I couldn’t help but smile as I held it to my chest.
“Do you think you could help me with the zipper?”
He turned back around and smiled at the sight of me. “You look beautiful,” he said quietly. “Then again—you always do.”
“Thanks.” I blushed as he pulled the cold metal slowly up my back, hands lingering on my bare shoulders when he was finished.
“Rebecca,” he twirled me suddenly around and stared searchingly into my eyes, “about earlier. I need to know if you regret what happened. Did I cross the line? When I first approached you for this fake girlfriend deal, I promised no sex.”
“Does oral really count?”
He looked into my eyes, and shook his head with a big smile.
The doorbell rang suddenly, and Augustina called, “Get downstairs—they’re here!”
“Saved by the bell.” I smiled shyly as I pulled away.
His face fell ever so slightly. “I guess so.”
I headed out the door, but he stayed where he was, biting his lip nervously. My breath caught in my throat, and I doubled suddenly back. Without stopping to think, I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. He looked up in surprise, and I stroked back his hair.
“I don’t regret it at all,” I said, answering his question with a huge grin. “You were amazing. I would go as far as to say the best I ever had. I can’t even begin to imagine what spending the night with you would be like.” He stayed speechless, frozen in the center of the room until I took his hand and tugged him playfully to the door. “Now come on, I didn’t slave away in the kitchen all day for nothing.”
By the time we got down the stairs, everyone was already seated around a long, lavishly decorated table. Augustina was perched at the far end, of course, reigning over the proceedings like a queen, leaving Marcus to sit at the head of the table—me by his side.
“Bex!” Amanda shrieked, casting an excited but wary glance at Augustina. “This is Barry.” She gestured to the nervous looking man sitting beside her. “Barry—this is Becca.”
I studied him critically—the man who was slowly stealing away my best friend—but extended a warm hand. He was tall and thin—dark hair and a heavy dusting of freckles behind a pair of glasses that hung low on his nose. He looked like the bookish professor everyone had a little crush on growing up. Definitely not Amanda’s type.
Then again…Marcus was definitely not mine. And look what I was doing. I never set out looking for a billionaire. Marcus just captured my attention. It was like we had this amazing connection and I was instantly drawn to him. I had a crush when I met him. But when I found out who he was, a player, I had no more interest in him. I didn’t need men like that in my life. So I decided to do the acting gig because I needed the money. I’d keep things platonic and not get involved with the playboy. At least, that was the plan. It didn’t go so well. I got involved with Marcus. I was developing feelings. And I was sure he’d trample my heart when this was all said and done. He’d pay me my money, and then tell me to go my own way. He never promised me anything, so I shouldn’t be mad. I was supposed to come in and be the pretend girlfriend, get my money, and then leave. I knew better than to get involved. Why don’t things ever go according to plan for me? I laughed inwardly. They never do.
“It’s awesome to finally meet you.” I grinned at how uncomfortable he was and tried my best to set him at ease. “Sorry about the last minute invite—we forgot it was Thanksgiving.”
“Not at all, thanks for inviting me.” He had an unexpectedly deep voice and a steady, calming manner. The perfect remedy to my high-spirited best friend. “I’m just…trying to understand.” He glanced around confusedly. “Sometimes you live in East Hollywood with Amanda…and sometimes you live here? With your boyfriend?”
Amanda flashed me a quick look that I could only hope I interpreted correctly.
“Yes. I know, it is very confusing.” I grabbed up the nearest dish and waved it distractingly in his face. “Yams?”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, Max and Augustina were fast making the most unlikely pair of friends. She was going on and on about Impressionistic painters and asking him pointed questions about his designs, while he was impressing her with his thoughtful responses, delighted that someone other than me was taking an interest in his work.
“I didn’t see that coming,” I murmured as I leaned over to Marcus with a grin.
He glanced up but his face tensed anxiously. “He needs to be careful. Her last husband was almost as young as him, and let me just say, it didn’t end well.”