Ugh...how is he both such an arrogant asshole and the single most amazing man I’ve ever met? Resistance is futile. I sigh as somehow, despite my terror at what he’s asking, I slip back into sleep before he’s back.
The next time I wake up it’s almost nine o’clock. As I stumble into the shower his demand from this morning rushes back, along with his insanely lovely words. Okay, fine. I’ll go but I won’t like it. Out of the shower I stare at myself in the mirror naked, something I haven’t done in a long time. I have gone down a size, and I’m only inches away from a twelve.
As happy as I am about the loss, I’m still two of what the other women there will be. At least my skin is glowing from my time by the pool, even with sunscreen. My hair could use a cut though. I call my usual lady, Diane, and thank fuck she can fit me in. I tell her what it’s for, and she urges me to have my makeup professionally done by a woman at the salon. Since I have zero skills when it comes to makeup, I tell her to schedule it for me and I’ll see her at four.
Going back to my room, I pull on loose lounge pants and a stretchy T-shirt, then go into the kitchen. I see Cheryl is out by the pool enjoying her coffee, feeding a squirrel who is all kinds of brave when food is at stake. I’m cranky so I eat my eggs, toast, and drink my coffee alone while I stew in my resentment. Only I don’t have long to stew before the doorbell rings.
Checking the door, I see a tiny Asian woman with a handful of dresses over her arm. Damn it, he really doesn’t waste time. I open the door, I’m able to get out hello but nothing else as she starts talking. “I’m Jaqueline, your stylist. Per Mr. Vega’s orders we’re going to show off your assets without being too sexy. The man doesn’t know how hard that is. Okay, I get it now. You’re all the curves the men want. I might need more dresses, we’ll see. How high of a heel can you wear? Can you go five inches?”
I’m going to kill him.
***
Olivia
Despite how it started, the next hour and a half isn’t nearly as bad as I feared it will be. Cheryl comes in from the patio to add her two cents, her happiness so clear I lose my pout quickly. The dresses are stunning. I’m a little scared to try them on, worried I’ll get them dirty or stretch them out or something as embarrassing. We settle on a Monique Lhuillier I’m in love with.
Once Jaqueline is gone, both Cheryl and I are sighing over the dress as I hang it up in the closet. “You do know he’s never had a woman go with him to a single event at the festival in all these years. He tried to get me to go, I’ve gone to a few screenings, but even when he was seeing an actress here for the festival he never took her on a date.”
I freeze. “Are you serious?”
“Very. It’s why I’m so happy, and you should be as well. Just because he hasn’t realized it himself doesn’t mean he hasn’t fallen for you completely.”
“I wish I could say it really meant something, but he still doesn’t talk about anything further than the next day. He just sprung this on me today—did he know he wanted me to go last night? I’m happy, yes, but I’m also not completely convinced.”
Her words do keep hope floating inside me as I go to the salon to get my hair cut. I brought a picture of the dress, and she fixes my hair into an updo with wisps of hair framing my face. The lady who does my makeup promises to keep it light, as she says it will match the dress and I’m pretty enough I don’t need much. Her comment startles me, especially as she meant it as she assessed me. I cling to it as I lie there in the chair while she does my makeup. Hmm...for keeping it light, it takes forever. Then she tells me to open my eyes.
I look into the mirror and my jaw drops. That’s me? She laughs; I had no idea I said it out loud. “That’s you. Go get it, girl.”
Happily stunned, I make it out to my car and home. When I walk through the door, Cheryl lets out a happy sigh. “Olivia, your beauty is on full show.”
I wave a hand. “Stop, don’t make me cry. I’m not sure this makeup is tear proof. I only have a few minutes to get ready, I had no idea the appointment would run so late.”
Carefully, I step into the black tulle dress with bright gold circles over the bodice and the sheer fabric that covers me from my neck to my elbows. The full skirt hides my worst parts, while the sheer top highlights my full breasts without putting them out for everyone to see. “Cheryl, can you zip me up please?”
Cheryl comes into the room holding a black box she sets down as she zips up the dress for me. “Okay, my son doesn’t always think of everything. I have some earrings I want you to wear. You can’t go bare.”
I’m shaking my head. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can I’m not offering. I’m telling you that you need to wear these.”
Closing my eyes, I shake my head, trying to make her understand until I open them to see glittering diamonds and gold. A rose is tightly furled around a bright diamond, then they drop in a vine-style. “Please tell me this is plated and fashion jewelry, not the real thing.”
She smiles. “It’s plated, not the real thing.”
Ugh, she’s such a liar. I sigh. “Thank you. I promise to take care of them and return them tomorrow first thing.”
“I trust you, dear.” The doorbell goes off. “Hurry putting them on. I’ll get the door.”
It’s the same guy, Kenny. Only this time the car is a Lincoln Town Car. He opens the back door. I slide in, hoping this night doesn’t make Rourke regret anything.
***
Rourke
I’m antsy, checking my watch for the fourth time in five minutes. My shock matched Olivia’s when I told her I wanted her here with me tonight. I didn’t know I was going to say the words before they came out of my mouth, only once I said it, the words had never felt so right. Even though I’ve never had a woman with me at the festival, never wanted anyone to know who I was with, I wanted everyone to know I was lucky enough to have Olivia Casey.
I spot them coming through the doors of the large ballroom. There will be a dinner, honors, a way of summing up the different pieces of the festival. It will last for hours, and if I leave early the offense will be huge considering the way I’ve been skipping events or making quick appearances in order to get home to Olivia. I haven’t regretted a single one. Tonight is a little different though, unless I’m ready to pass on maintaining a hand in the festival. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that yet, so I’m here.