“No.” I look at him confused, my voice lowered to a whisper. “Patton, we can’t—”
“Wednesday, then.” He continues typing. “It’s formal. We’ll find you something to wear once we’re out there.”
My brow lowers, and his dark eyes cut up to me. A hint of a grin curls his lips. “Don’t fight me on this one.”
“Patton, I really don’t think it’s appropriate for you to buy my clothes.”
“Can you afford the type of dress you’ll need for this event?”
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure what type of event it is.”
“Exactly. I’m not buying your clothes. It’s a business expense. You’re working.”
“Working.” My voice is pure skepticism.
“Of course. If I wanted to take you to LA for sex, I’d take you to LA for sex. The investor’s gala is work.”
Such a typical Patton response. I want to point out this is not what I consider sorting out our relationship. It feels like muddying the waters even more, but he picks up his phone. “I’ll see if Jerry can set up a few meetings with our west coast brokers. Maybe we can see a few properties on Thursday.”
When he puts it that way, it does sound like a business-only trip. Still, I know it’s going to be more than that.
“Jerry? Rock… ah, Raquel and I are coming out for the gala.” I pause at the door, glancing back as he speaks. He puts his hand over the receiver. “Read up on our LA clients over the next few days. Let me know if you have any questions.”
He returns to the phone, and I step out into the hall. Looks like I’m going to LA for a gala. I need to call Renée. Only I’m a little scared of what she’s going to say. I left her advice so far behind, I can’t even see it anymore.
Just before I close the door, I glance back at his square jaw, his dark eyes focused on the computer screen, his hands quickly typing… I’ve fallen for the devil, and there’s no turning back now.
I’ve always heard Los Angeles is a big smoggy mess of traffic and fake people, but when we touch down at LAX on Wednesday evening, I couldn’t be more excited. The sun is shining and the sky is clear and blue. We left Nashville at the same time as we arrive, which slightly messes with my head when we disembark after a three-hour flight.
“Time zones…” I muse, but I don’t feel tired at all.
“I’ll see if our car is here.” Patton takes my hand, lacing our fingers.
The minute we stepped on the plane, his demeanor changed. All week, he’s been very professional in the office. Almost too professional considering how close we got in the mountains. Still, I’ve been sleeping at my place and reporting for work like we’re strictly coworkers. He’s been following suit.
Now it’s like we’re on another mini escape—even if he’s calling it business. It’s my first time in the city, and I can’t wait to walk around downtown and hopefully see some of the famous Los Angeles landmarks. Leaning into the window of our black Lincoln towncar, I look up at the skinny palm trees clustered in the breaks on the Interstate.
“We’re on our own for dinner tonight.” Patton is checking emails on his phone with one hand, my hand still clutched in his other. “Tomorrow we can head down to Rodeo to find you a dress.”
“Rodeo Drive?” I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman… without the whole prostitute thing, of course.
“Jerry will meet us at the gala. He’s bringing a plus one.” His voice goes down, and I think the same thing. Great. “It’s being held at the Griffith Observatory.”
“Oh, yay!” I jump around in my seat. “That’s in La La Land and Rebel Without a Cause…”
“Didn’t you read the invitation?” He chuckles at my enthusiasm. “I showed it to you.”
“I guess not.” I wasn’t able to focus on anything Monday. My head was still spinning from our weekend. Kind of like it is right now.
“We’re staying downtown.” His face turns thoughtful. “It didn’t occur to me you might want to sightsee.”
“I didn’t know if we’d have time.”
“What do you want to see?”
“I’m not really sure. The only things I know about LA are what I’ve seen in movies. But I don’t know where these things are or how long it takes to get there.”
“Like what?” We’re weaving through traffic, winding through the downtown area past tall skyscrapers mixed with tall, skinny palm trees.