JULIET
What doyou wear on a date with a billionaire?
I slip a dress over my head and stare at my reflection in the mirror.
It’s my nicest dress, and six years old—I wore it for my college graduation. Also… I bought it on sale at J Crew.
“Nope!” Kelsey declares, bouncing on my bed with another glass of wine. “Next!”
“I don’t have much else,” I say in despair, eying my closet. “I mean, I have cute stuff for a casual date… Jeans, tops… That little black thing. But I don’t think Caleb Sterling is taking me to grab a slice of pizza in the park!”
“What about the stuff he sent over, the designer clothes?”
“They’re all work stuff,” I reply. “Perfect for a typical day at the office, but I’m not sure they cross over to a fancy dinner.”
Then again, what do I know about dressing for the kind of high-end places Caleb probably frequents? I go and check the rail where I’ve carefully hung all the designer clothes. Blouses… Boring. Blazers… Too professional. It’s not that I want to look wildly seductive or anything, I just don’t want to seem totally out of place.
“What about the blue?” Kelsey elbows me out of the way and grabs it.
It’s a wrap dress, in a clingy navy fabric. Form-fitting, feminine… “What’s wrong?” Kelsey asks, seeing my expression.
“I don’t know, isn’t it kind of dangerous?” I ask, toying with the tie. “One tug on this, and the whole thing comes off.”
“Exactly.” Kelsey grins. “That’s why it’s perfect.”
I have to laugh. Here I am, preparing for dinner with a handsome, seductive man, and I’m worried the date will go too well.
“The blue it is!” I declare, and pull it over my head. I fasten the tie around me, and check my reflection. It looks amazing: Chic, understated, but still with a plunging V-neck and a hint of a slit up my thigh when I walk.
“You look amazing,” Kelsey cheers. “At least you would if you smiled. This is supposed to be fun,” she reminds me. “Try to enjoy yourself.”
I nod. But I’m not sure how much fun I should be having tonight. Because at the end of the day…
This is an assignment, not a real date. Business, not pleasure. I said yes because it’ll bring me closer to sneaking a peek at Caleb’s phone. That’s all.
Right?
I check the clock. “He’ll be here in five minutes!” I fluff my curls, and reapply my lip gloss, but right away, there’s a knock at the door.
Kelsey squeals.
“Shhh!” I hush her, trying to play it cool. My stomach is tied up in knots—and it doesn’t unravel when I throw open the door and find Caleb standing there, cool and casual in a tailored navy suit and a white button-down, open at his neck.
No tie. Damp hair. Five o’clock shadow on his chiseled jaw.
Damn, this man looks good when he’s dressed down.
“Hi,” I say, a little breathless.
“Hello.” Caleb gives me a slow, admiring smile. He leans in and kisses me on the cheek, and I catch a breath of his cologne, deep and spicy. “You look beautiful.”
I blush. “Thank you.”
“Ahem!”
A not-so-subtle cough comes from behind me. Caleb turns.
“Hi! I’m Kelsey,” she beams, giving a little wave. “Juliet’s roommate. She told me all about you.”