7. Straps

Lila 

Theo’s  words hang in the air between us.

My mouth opened. And then, without thinking, I said, “No.”

Theo’s eyebrows lifted, just enough to ask Did you seriously just say that? To me? The man didn’t need actual words to communicate disappointment, shock, or judgment. His face did all the heavy lifting.

A few seconds passed. He did not say anything, which was somehow worse than if he had snapped or scolded me.

Instead, he pulled a sleek black card from his jacket and placed it on my desk.  “Buy a dress and get yourself ready.”

I stared at the card and back at him, challenging,  but he did not seem bothered, "And be back here by seven,” he added, before he stood already moving away, his decision final.

I picked up the card, annoyed at how my hands shook even a little. I wasn’t sure if it was irritation or nerves but I needed to do something to calm myself.

Me: Theo just told me I’m going to the Lila Sterling Gala with him tonight.

Also he handed me a card and basically ordered me to go buy a dress?

Help!

Eve’s reply came in seconds.

Eve: That is what I am TALKING ABOUT girl!!! I’m coming over. DO NOT refuse. I’ll do your makeup.

 We are  making you look so good he’ll want to eat you alive.

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. I didn’t need the help. But the company? Desperately.

Eve showed up at my apartment with a makeup bag the size of a suitcase  and the energy of someone preparing a bride for her wedding.  She took one look at me pacing in my towel and groaned.

“Sit,” she ordered, pushing me into a chair.

“I’m going to throw up,” I said, pressing my hand to my stomach. I still couldn’t tell if it was nerves or pregnancy hormones, but both were equally inconvenient.

“Not on my brushes,” Eve warned, already attacking my face with primer. I scowled at her through the cloud of setting spray which 

But she was right, I was vibrating with nerves. My hands wouldn’t stay still. It was ridiculous. It was just a gala. It was just Theo and I had done this more than a thousand times. It shouldn’t have felt like my organs were rearranging themselves inside my body.

On the other hand, Eve hummed as she worked, making little excited noises every time the makeup turned out how she wanted and it calmed me down.

Then, casually, far too casually, she asked, “Sooo… did you shave?”

 I gaped at her. “Eve!”

“What? Just in case you get lucky tonight.” 

I flipped her off, which only made her cackle.

“Oh, she is feisty today. That's good. Men like that.”

“I’m not doing anything with anyone,” I hissed. “Least of all Theo.”

She gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “Sure, honey. Keep lying to yourself. But shave.”

I flipped her off again.

Once I was glammed up, I slipped into the black dinner dress I had bought. It was simple, elegant and safe. You could never go wrong with black. The heels were also manageable.  My stomach, thankfully, still looked flat enough not to invite suspicion.

 Sera’s body was smaller than mine used to be, but the dress hugged her in all the right places. I avoided looking in the mirror most days, but even I could admit she..I…looked… lovely.

Once I was put together,  I twirled letting Eve look me over. Eve whistled. “Oh, you look expensive. Theo isn’t going to know what hit him.”

“Hopefully a bus,” I replied, to which she was not amused. She shoved me into an Uber  before she also went home.

By the time I reached our offices, it was nearly six. The other floors  were dark and silent except for security at the elevators. My heels echoed as I walked toward Theo’s office.

When I got there, his door was open.

He was standing inside, adjusting his cufflinks. His suit was charcoal and tailored, his hair also perfectly styled. He looked expensive I could not deny that.

When he saw me, he paused, long enough that I felt it everywhere. His eyes swept over me. Slowly. Intentionally. Assessing.

Like he was trying to decide whether I passed whatever standard he had in his head for me that evening.

All I managed was a  polite, “I’m ready.”

That was when it happened. One of my straps unclasped and slipped off my shoulder.

Of course. Of COURSE, the dress would betray me now, of all moments.

“I..excuse me..let me just…” I fumbled to fix it, mortified.

“Stop.” His voice cut through the air, low and commanding.

Theo crossed the space between us in three long strides. He was close, closer than we had ever been since morning and I could smell his expensive cologne.

His fingers brushed my bare shoulder as he lifted the strap back into place. He didn’t rush. He fixed it like he had done it a thousand times for a thousand women, but somehow this time required his full attention.

He leaned in, not touching, but close enough that I felt his breath trace the side of my neck.

“If you can’t keep your clothes on,” he murmured, “how exactly do you expect to be of any use to me tonight?”

I should have snapped back, but all that came out was a small, strangled sound that absolutely did not belong to a grown woman.

And the ba.stard’s lips twitched, like he was fighting a smile.