The Little Black Dress (Love in Las Vegas)

“I’m Jonathon, your driver for the night.”

He opens the door and holds out a palm to assist me. When I slide into the car, he releases me and closes the door. The scent of roses hits my nose just before I notice the large bouquet on the seat across from me. Picking it up, I inhale the sweet scent before plucking out the small card buried inside the long stems.

Beautiful, though not as beautiful as you. Sweet smelling, though incomparable to your hypnotizing scent. Thorny, though not as sharp as your quick wit. Soft petals, though not as smooth as the way you feel against me. Pleasant, though not as joyous as the way you make me feel every second we’re together.

I can’t wait to see you.

––J

I blink against the sting in my eyes and smell the blooms once more. Grumpy, demanding Jared is irresistible, but sweet, poetic Jared is downright intoxicating.

The car stops, and when I look out the window, my eyes widen. We’re not at Jared’s house. We’re a Peltier’s. Jonathon climbs from the car and jogs around to open my door. Setting the roses aside, I take his proffered hand and step out of the limo.

“Why are we here?” I ask, looking up at the building.

In response, he pulls a folded note from his pocket and hands it to me. I open it to see Jared’s slanted handwriting.

Don’t ask questions. Just go inside.

––J

My lips curve up at how well he knows me. Giving Jonathon a quick nod, I head inside the building. It’s dark, but a bright light on the other side of the room illuminates a painting. A very familiar painting.

I head straight for it, my eyes roaming over the splatters of color. I used to think this painting was ugly as hell, but after spending several family dinners with Jared and Bethany, seeing the way her eyes sparkle every time she looks at it, I see nothing now but pure love and absolute beauty.

Attached to the frame is another note, and I pull it free to unfold it and read it.

This is where we met. I found you as beautiful and intriguing as you were annoying and mouthy.

A laugh bursts through my lips at that, and the sting in my eyes becomes unbearable. I sniffle as the tears spill over my eyelids and trickle down my cheeks.

This painting holds new meaning for me. It’s not just my mother’s most prized possession. A gift from the love of her life. It’s the catalyst that brought you to me. If I were a romantic, I’d say my father brought you into my life. If I were a romantic, I’d tell you I get down on my knees and thank him every single day for doing so. If I were a romantic, I’d say that auction was the luckiest fucking day of my life.

But we both know I’m not a romantic, right?

––J

I hear a footstep behind me, and I turn, expecting to see Jared. But it’s just Jonathon, who’s holding out a handkerchief with the initials J.H. embroidered into the corner.

“Mr. Hart said you might need this,” he says gently, and another laugh skitters out of me.

“The man does know me,” I say with a thankful smile before taking the handkerchief and dabbing it against my cheeks.

“Shall we move on?” he asks, holding out an arm for me to precede him.

“There’s more?” I ask as I pass, and he hands me another note.

I said no questions.

––J

A full-bellied laugh bursts out of me, and Jonathon smiles. He holds the door for me, then hurries around to open the car door and assist me inside.

When we stop again, we’re in front of The Black Hart. When Jonathon helps me out, he tells me there’s a drink waiting for me at the horseshoe-shaped bar near the blackjack tables. I thank him and head inside.

“Hey, Sophie,” James says as I approach. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

“Don’t let Spencer hear you say that,” I say, smiling at James’s boyfriend, who’s sitting at the bar with a bottle of water.