Part 25 (1/2)

Grabbing my phone out of my bag, I quickly sent a text to Nathan.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TOMORROW NIGHT?.

His response was quick, and it made me smile.

TAKING THE SWEETEST GIRL IN THE.

WORLD TO THE COMPANY PARTY.

I was just getting ready to reply when another message appeared.

I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND. SHE'S SO EXCITED, AND I'D HATE TO DISAPPOINT HER.

Oh.

He already had a date.

That wasn't too surprising. I mean, he's a handsome, single guy, and we'd only met two days ago. Of course, he'd already made plans to take someone to the party.

It still hurt a little.

Okay, it hurt a lot, but I'd never admit it out loud.

I sent back a quick text, telling him it was no problem at all. Then, I set my phone on silent and tossed it into my bag.

”What do you mean he has a date?”

I was following Annalise through the store, wis.h.i.+ng I'd just stuck with my little black dress. She was a shopping dynamo and could sniff out a clearance rack from miles away, but I just wasn't in the mood anymore.

”He already had plans to take someone else.”

”And he couldn't cancel them?”

”I didn't ask him to,” I said, sighing as she handed me another dress. ”He's a nice guy. A gentleman. I couldn't expect him to cancel on someone just because I a.s.sumed we'd go together.”

”But you're hurt. I can hear it in your voice.”

”I'm disappointed, yes.”

”Well, he's going to be the one who's disappointed when he sees you tomorrow night. The little s.k.a.n.k on his arm isn't going to compare to you, especially if you wear this,” she said, holding up a fiery red low-cut dress with an obscenely short hemline.

Glancing at the price tag, I couldn't help but laugh. ”Why don't I just save the $200 and show up naked?”

Annalise grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the dressing rooms. ”Because indecent exposure is frowned upon, and I don't have the money to bail you out of jail. Now, go try it on, and I'll find shoes.”

Minutes later, I was standing in front of the mirror, debating whether showing this much skin was really a good idea. The dress, while beautiful and s.e.xy, really left very little to the imagination. Adding the four-inch strappy heels made me look like a walking felony.

It was insane, but then I thought about Nathan and the woman who'd be arriving on his arm. Without a doubt, she'd be gorgeous. Probably a blonde with supermodel legs and fake b.o.o.bs.

Taking a long look at myself in the mirror, I considered my options.

I could play it safe and wear something far less revealing. I could sit in the corner and sulk all night while I watched Nathan and his date dance to cheesy love songs under a canopy of Cupids.

Or . . .

I could wear this dress and make him wish he was dancing with me.

Sold.

I was glad I'd already planned to work from home the day of the party. Getting anything done at the office would have been impossible with the excitement of the unveiling of Cupid's Arrow, and I'd wanted to avoid the happy party-goers for as long as I could.

Unfortunately, since I was working at home, I'd been forced to turn my phone back on so the office could reach me. I had several missed calls and countless voice mails from Nathan. He was a sweet guy, and I was certain those messages were full of heartfelt apologies, telling me how sorry he was that he couldn't be my date tonight. While I appreciated his persistence, I just couldn't bring myself to listen to them. Tonight was important for the company and for my division, and I had to stay strong.

By the time I arrived at the hotel ballroom, I was ready for a drink.

I never drink.

”Wow,” Mario said, whistling as I made my way through the entrance. My boss had always been a shameless flirt with the girls, but particularly with me. He was harmless and never crossed the line with his comments, but it still made me uncomfortable at times.

”Good evening, Mario. Everything looks great.”

That was a lie. Everything looked hideous. Our decorated office was nothing compared to this place. Cupids-in shades of red, pink, and silver-were plastered around the room. They dangled from the ceilings. They were perched in the center of every table. There was even an ice-sculpture.

Stupid cupids.

After this was over, I was begging Mario for a transfer. Maybe to the Halloween division. My gloom and doom att.i.tude was perfect for that holiday.

I headed to the bar and ordered a bottle of white wine. The bartender laughed, but I a.s.sured him I wasn't joking. I flashed him a smile, hoping it was borderline s.e.xy. His eyes widened as he took in my indecent attire.

Feeling triumphant, I took my bottle of expensive wine and sat down at our a.s.signed table. After pouring a gla.s.s, I sipped slowly, watching the scene unfold before me. Music blared from the sound system-a mixture of 80s power ballads and cla.s.sic love songs-and couples were already dancing. Everyone was smiling and happy, while I sat at the table with my bottle of wine and moped as I scanned the room.

There was no sign of him.

Annalise finally arrived with her gorgeous husband on her arm. He was wearing his NYPD dress uniform with gloves, and she was draped in a lovely pink halter dress. She looked elegant and sophisticated, while she'd dressed me like a high-cla.s.s hooker.

Cla.s.sy, Jada.

By the time Mario took the stage to welcome everyone to the party, I was more than ready to call it a night.

He introduced each of the writers and ill.u.s.trators, complimenting each of us on a job well done. The lights lowered, and he pointed our attention to the back wall, where a slideshow of the Cupid's Arrow designs began to play.

And that's when I felt someone's hand on the small of my back.

”You're absolutely stunning,” Nathan whispered against my ear.

His fingers crept along my spine, slowly sliding along my zipper. I gasped, leaning back against him as he placed a soft kiss below my ear.

”Where's your date?”

His arm coiled around me, pulling me tighter against his body. My heart raced as his nose glided along my neck.