All Night Long (Man of the Month 9)

He had gotten under her skin, Selma realized. And the most significant evidence was that she was standing in Elena's bedroom getting dressed for the Children's Museum function.

Since Easton had some sort of board meeting before the event, she was meeting him there. And she wanted him to know--not just through her words--that she'd made a decision. About her work, and her life.

Because frankly, she didn't want to see Marianne on his arm anymore. She wanted that job, and she considered today an audition.

And none of her friends dressed as classy as Elena.

"It's a knockoff," Elena said. "But it's a good one."

"Chanel?"

"Classic," Elena said, holding the pale pink suit. "And you can match it with pearls and a silk blouse."

Selma looked at the conservative outfit dubiously, then reminded herself why she was doing this. She wanted to be a woman he didn't hesitate to show off.

But underneath the damn thing, she was wearing her thong.

"We can cover your wrist tattoo with makeup. And a quick rinse will put your hair all to black. We can style it close to your face. Classic makeup and then stunning shoes and you're all set."

"Shoes?" She hadn't thought to bring any.

"We're the same size. I've got you covered."

An hour later, Elena's words proved true. Selma hardly recognized herself as she stood in front of the mirror decked out in a conservative but classic suit, a scoop neck silk blouse paired with a choker of pearls--fake, but decent quality. Her hair was styled with curls worn close to her scalp, giving her a little bit of a flapper look.

The shoes were kickass. Only three-inch heels, but the material was almost iridescent and it reflected the color of the dress.

As for her makeup, Selma had never worn so little, but she had to admit her eyes looked good. And the shade of lipstick was flattering, too.

"I think you're ready," Elena said. "Go get him, Tiger."

Laughing, Selma hugged her friend, then went outside to catch an Uber to the museum. Elena was living with her parents both to save money and to get to know her dad and her half-brother better, and that meant that they were too far away to walk.

Since Selma fully intended to go home with Easton, she'd taken an Uber to the house as well.

The ride downtown was quick, and Selma barely had time to pull herself together before the car stopped in front of the museum and she found herself standing on the sidewalk with a bad case of nerves.

What if Easton felt differently? She was assuming he wanted something more permanent between them--and that her presenting herself conservatively in public would be a good idea.

But what if he hadn't really meant what he'd said? What if despite everything, he wanted to just keep going on as fuck buddies?

Honestly, the possibility was too depressing to consider. A fact that only confirmed to Selma how far gone she was for the man. Because not too long ago, she would have run from anyone who suggested anything more than random, no-strings sex.

Yet here she was, afraid that he didn't want to commit.

She wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. Probably better not to do either considering the amount of mascara Elena had put on her lashes.

"Now or never," she murmured to herself, then smiled at a passing stranger who gave her a curious look.

She entered the museum, was given directions to the event, and headed that way.

She saw him immediately. He stood at the far end of an open area lined with science exhibits. He looked like a celebrity in his suit, his chin lifted confidently, his gaze taking in all of the people around him. She wasn't convinced he wanted to be a judge, but in that moment she knew he had it in him to be elected.

Then he looked up, and his gaze landed right on her. And in that moment, all the air was sucked from the room. There was nothing left but him and her. She felt like Maria in the dance scene in West Side Story where everything faded away except her and Tony.

Hopefully her story and Easton's would have a much happier ending.

She stood transfixed as he moved to her and didn't breathe until he took her hands in his. "You look stunning. Hell, it's even more sexy knowing that under that suit you're hiding all those tats. Not to mention what I'm sure is some very sexy lingerie."