“No attitude Friday night. I need you on your best behavior,” I told her, a playful smirk playing out on my lips. We had to convince people that she was an actual date too. I didn’t want anyone to see right through us. It was easy to tell who quickly picked up a date for the night. There was no chemistry, just awkwardness.
“If you play nice, I will,” Madison said, cocking an eyebrow at me as our hands broke apart. She nodded to me before grabbing her things. “See you Friday night.”
“Wearing your best dress,” I repeated her words, watching her smile to herself. She hadn’t smiled a lot around me, but she had a nice smile. Maybe I needed to stop pissing her off. I needed to play nice Friday night, so I would try to the best of my ability.
I sank back down into my chair, realizing just how fast my heart rate was. I wished that I wouldn’t react to her so much, but I couldn’t control my thoughts or my body around her. At least I had the sense to still act like her boss at work.
Then, it dawned on me how much I potentially screwed myself over. Madison and I would be together outside of work. We would be surrounded by people at the gala, but we were expected to act like dates. That meant having her close, touching her. If I thought making myself behave at work was hard, it would be ten times harder outside of work.
I didn’t even think about the possible consequences when I asked her to go. All I thought about were the benefits. I would have a pretty girl on my arm for the gala, and she got business exposure. It didn’t dawn on me that my desires might try to run rampant while we were drinking and hanging all over each other. I basically led myself into my own trap.
What in the world had I gotten myself into?
Chapter 9
Madison
After two hours of hair, makeup, and wardrobe in my tiny apartment, I finally felt gala-ready. Somewhat. I spun around in front of the flimsy standing mirror propped up against one of my bedroom walls, seeing how my black dress hugged my body. It was certainly tight, squeezing my curves as it glimmered.
“Is it too short? I’m going to a gala, not a club,” I asked Hannah and Nick as they lounged in my bed. I brought them over for emotional support because I was freaking out a little about this gala. I had never been to one before, and I was going with Tyler Ashland of all people.
I knew that this wasn’t an actual date or anything, but it almost felt like one when he asked. He had actually been really nice to me lately, whether he was helping me with my group’s business plan or offering me real business experience and exposure. I actually didn’t dislike him anymore. I felt something… different.
I was still being cautious around him, but I couldn’t help but be a mix of excited and nervous about tonight. A devastatingly handsome CEO asked me to attend a gala with him. Maybe I was looking into it too much, but I was young. I was going to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and run with it. Who knew what could happen?
“You look hot,” Nick replied as he played around on his phone.
“I need to look somewhat elegant, right?” I asked as I turned to face them, placing my hands on my hips. The dress came down a few inches above my knees and was strapless, holding tight to my bust. I paired it with black heels and gold accessories, fixing my hair down in flowing waves. I just didn’t know if I did enough. I didn’t want to show up and Tyler be disappointed in how I looked. On a business level, his opinion mattered. Maybe on a personal level too.
“You’re basically his arm candy. He wants to show you off,” Hannah said as she wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“He just wants to give me some business exposure,” I replied, shaking my head defensively as I turned back around to face the mirror. I could already feel my heart racing as my eyes trailed up my figure. I wanted tonight to go well. I had a real chance at making an impression on Tyler and other business executives too. I didn’t want to mess this up.
“Yeah, I’m sure he wants to expose you,” Nick smirked, receiving a swat from Hannah. “What? He could’ve asked any other girl he knows. You think someone like him doesn’t have a roster of girls? Yet, he chose you.”
I looked at Hannah, but she didn’t say anything. Maybe Nick actually had a point. Tyler could’ve taken anyone, but he asked me for some reason.