by Sandi Lynn
“Oh, of course.” Her smile brightened as she took the dress from him.
“Do you always buy your sister dresses?” I asked sarcastically.
“It’s for her birthday, if you must know. She pretty much told me that I can buy it for her.” He smiled.
He paid in cash and fixated his eyes on me while Katie folded up the dress, wrapped it in tissue, and placed it in the bag. The way he stared at me made me feel a little uncomfortable. Not in a scary way, but in a sexual way. He was the type of looking man that you just knew was more than a god in the bedroom. The way he carried himself with such composure and confidence spoke volumes. His tousled light sandy brown hair, masculine jawline, perfectly chiseled cheekbones, and the five o’clock shadow that graced his face were beyond intoxicating. Snapping back into reality as Katie handed him the bag, I told him to have a nice day.
“You better go have that finger looked at. You need stitches.” A cunning smirk crossed his face as he walked his six-foot one perfect body out of my shop.
“Umm. Can I die now?” Katie looked at me with seriousness.
“He was pretty cute.” I replaced the Kleenex on my finger with a new one.
“Pretty cute? Are you serious, Emily? He was drop dead gorgeous!”
“Don’t you have a boyfriend?” I smiled as I threw my purse over my shoulder and began to walk away.
“Yes, and where are you going?”
“To get some stitches. Hold down the fort while I’m gone.”
“Good luck!”
Chapter 4
Emily
After getting three stitches put in my finger, I headed back to the shop, and when I walked in, Evelyn came running over to me.
“Finger first. How are you?” she asked.
“Fine. Three stitches. Not too bad.”
“Good. Now, me and you are going out tonight.”
“We are? Where are we going?” I asked as I set my purse down.
“We are going speed dating!” She grinned.
“Why?” I twisted my face.
“Why not? I’m single, you’re single, it’s on my bucket list, and I’ve always wanted to try it. It’ll be fun! Two hours, five to six minutes with each guy, a check by yes or no, and we’re out of there.”
“Fine. But just so you know, I’m checking no for each guy.”
“Ugh. Whatever. Do what you want, but we’re going to have a great time. Anyway, I brought my sketchbook with my new designs. Tell me what you think. By the way, Katie told me that some drop dead gorgeous man bought one of my dresses this morning for his sister.”
“And he was totally checking her out,” Katie shouted from the pants rack.
“He was not, and,” I shrugged my shoulders, “he was cute.”
“Date worthy?” Evelyn asked.
“Maybe. But I’m sure I’ll never see him again, so no big deal.”
I left the shop at five to go home and get ready for my night out with Evelyn. As I was applying my makeup, a text message came through from Cliff.
“Hi. I missed you today. Like, I really missed you. I know you said you weren’t ready for a relationship, but I could totally see us together. We can take it really slow. I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes.”
I sighed as I set down my makeup brush, picked up my phone, and began to text him back. After thinking about it, I decided not to respond, as it would probably lead to blowing up my phone all night. So, I would respond to him tomorrow. Tonight was a girls’ night out, not a man-drama night.
As we stepped into the Martini bar, we signed in at the long rectangular table by the door and were told to grab a drink and relax before the event started.
“What can I get you, miss?” the bartender asked.
“I’ll have a neat martini with three olives, please.”
“And for you?” He glanced at Evelyn as he wiped down the counter.
“Dry martini with a twist.” She smiled.
Leaning against the edge of the bar, I took note of all the girls that were there in hopes of finding their Prince Charming tonight.
“Where are the guys? Is this a lesbian speed dating? Because if it is, Evelyn, I’m killing you.”
She laughed. “No. It’s not a lesbian speed dating. The guys are put in another room so no one can interact with each other before it starts.”
“Oh.” The bartender handed me my martini.
As I sipped it, I counted the small square and round tables that had number signs in the middle of them. There were twenty tables total. The host of the event got on the speaker and announced it was time to start. We were told to line up in a single line and whatever number we were in line, was the number of which table we would start at first. I was third in line, so I had to make sure I started with table three. We women were told to close our eyes until the men took their seats at the table. I was a little offended and found it a bit sexist that we couldn’t sit at the tables first and have the men come to us. That was what I would do if I hosted one of these things.
As soon as the bell rang, we all scattered out of line and headed to our designated tables. I took a seat across from the guy at table three.
“Hi, I’m Mark.” He smiled.
“I’m Emily. So what do you do for work?” I bluntly asked.
“I’m an architect. And you?”
“I own a boutique called Emily’s Edge.”
He was cute in his black wavy hair way.
“How do you feel about relationships?” I asked as I leaned over the table and narrowed my eye at him.
“Um. I like relationships. I think it’s important to have someone special to share your life with.”
“What do you think about cheaters?”
He leaned back in his chair and the look of fear fell into his eyes, which led me to believe he was a cheater.
“I think they’re wrong, but you never know the circumstances as to why they cheated. There’s two sides to every story.”
The bell rang and it was time to get up and go to the next table.
“Hi, I’m Brad.” His perfectly over-whitened teeth blinded me.
“Emily. Nice to meet you.”
Before I could attack him with my question, he asked his first.
“You’re hot. What do you think about sex on the first date?”
“As long as there’s a mutual attraction, I think it’s okay.”
“Is there a mutual attraction here?” he asked with his blinding smile.
I sat there for a few moments and studied him. He was a player and all he was there for was to snatch up some poor unsuspecting girl to have sex with.
“Depends. How big is your dick?”
“Whoa!” He chuckled. “I love a girl who’s bold. I can promise you that it will leave you fully satisfied.”
“For how long? A minute, an hour, a day? Which is it, Brad?”
The bell rang before he could answer. Damn it. I was having so much fun with him.
“I like you, Emily!” he shouted as he pointed at me.
Rolling my eyes, I sat down at the next table and my eyes widened at the man who was sitting across from me.
“Emily.” Cliff began to choke.
“Really, Cliff? So you’re willing to wait for as long as it takes lasted a whole hour?”
“I can explain, Emily.” He put up his hands.
I reached over and grabbed the sheet he had in front of him.
“Give me this! Wow. Three yesses already?”
“They aren’t real yesses. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.” He took the paper out of my hands.
The bell rang and it was time to get up. As I rose from my seat, I glanced over at him as the next woman sat down.
“Sex last night with you was awful. I hope you get your problem with your dick straightened out. By the way, don’t call me again and consider yourself blocked.” I smiled as I headed to the next table.
Out of the twenty guys I sat with for about six minutes, surprisingly, th
ere were two which I found could possibly be fun to date. As I was sipping on another martini, Evelyn walked up to me.
“How did you do?” I asked.
“There are six guys I’m totally interested in. I just hope some of them are interested in me. How about you? Please tell me you didn’t say no to all of them.”
“I didn’t. I found two gentlemen I feel would be fun.”
“Which ones?” She glared at me.
Before I could answer her question, Brad came strolling over to us with his hands buried deep in his pants pockets.
“Hello there, beautiful.” He grinned at me. “I just wanted to let you know that you’ll be getting an email tomorrow. I checked a big fat yes for you, my lady.”
“How nice. Let me ask you something. Do you like to wear condoms?” I smirked.
“I sure do. It’s the only way I roll. You can’t be too careful these days, even if the woman says she’s on birth control. Plus, all those diseases being spread around.” He shuddered.
“Good. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the email.”
“Why wait? Let’s go out and hit the town up now.” He hooked his arm around me.
Ducking out from under him, I placed my hand on his chest.
“Good things come to those who wait, Brad.”
Evelyn was laughing so hard, she spilled her drink.
“I need to get this one home.” I pointed at her. “She’s had a little too much. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Chapter 5
One Month Later
The store was doing great. Evelyn’s designs were selling out faster than she could produce more, and my dating life was taking a toll on me. As I was hanging up some new shirts that had just arrived and Katie was helping a customer, Evelyn walked in.
“Hey, Evelyn.” I smiled.
“I brought you something,” she spoke as she handed me a garment bag.
Unzipping it, I pulled out a strapless, beaded sweetheart neckline short black dress.
“Wow. This is beautiful.”
“Thank you. You’re going to look fabulous in it.”
I gave her a blank stare. “Huh? This is for me?”
“Yes. It’s for you to wear to the wedding you’re going to attend with me on Saturday night.”
“What wedding?”
“Remember I told you a few months back that my friend Rebecca was getting married?”
“Yeah. I thought you were taking a date.”
“I was up until a couple of days ago. Then the asshole bailed on me. He used the sick mother excuse. I don’t want to go alone, and I know how much you love weddings.” She smirked.
“Ah yes. Weddings are the joy of my life. Two people committing the rest of their lives to each other in front of all their family and friends only to end up divorced in ten years.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “So you’ll go?”
“Do I really have to?”
“Yes. We’ll have so much fun. We’ll drink and dance the night away.”
“Free booze and music. I can handle that.” I smiled.
“Excellent. And remember, if anyone asks about your dress, you tell them I designed it.”
“Of course I would. I better go try it on to make sure it fits.”
While I was walking past the counter to the fitting rooms, I heard my phone beep. Picking it up, I saw I had a text message from Louis, one of the guys I casually dated a few times.
“Hey, babe. I got to thinking about you last night and I think we should start seeing each other more. My friend told me when he saw us out together that we looked really good as a couple and I think it’s time to take our relationship to the next level.”
Relationship? What relationship? We’d only been on a few dates. Shit. Why can’t guys just want to date without the damn strings attached? I was so mentally drained from these guys that I was giving up on dating for a while. I needed a damn break for my own sanity.
“My name is Emily, not babe. We don’t have a relationship, Louis. We went out a few times and I’m not looking for anything more. I was very upfront with you on our first date. So there will be no next level.”
I sighed as I set my phone down and went into the fitting room to try on the dress Evelyn brought me.
The wedding reception took place at the Waldorf Astoria. Beautifully lit chandeliers hung from the ceiling, giving off soft light, making the ambiance a romantic one. Expensive white linens draped over the tables and chairs and elegant candle-lit floral centerpieces graced each table. Evelyn and I were supposed to attend the ceremony, but she got held up with a production problem for her new line. That was fine with me because I didn’t believe in, nor did I like weddings.
The moment we stepped inside the Grand Ballroom, we were greeted with tall glasses of champagne. Taking one from the tray, I sipped it and looked around at the black-tie affair. A table to the right of us housed small fancy cut cards with our names written in exquisite handwriting in order to alert us at which table we were seated.
“Looks like we’re at table number fifteen,” Evelyn spoke. “Shall we make our way or get another drink first?”
Downing the last of my champagne, I held up the empty glass.
“Drink first.” I smiled.
We made our way to the bar and stood in a long line of others who had the same idea. While Evelyn was in front of me talking with one of the other guests, a low voice spoke behind me.
“How’s your finger doing?”
Chills ran down my spine as I slowly turned around and stared at the sexy man who was in my shop a month ago.
“It’s much better. Thank you.” I smiled.
“Did you get stitches?”
“I did. Three of them.”
“I do believe I told you so.” He smirked.
I swallowed hard as I discreetly checked him out from head to toe. Designer black tux, crisp white shirt, and a black bowtie made him even more sexy than his business suit did.
“So, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“The same thing you are.”
“Bride or groom?”
“Neither. I’m here with a friend. You?”
“Same.”
“Who’s your date?” he asked with caution.
“My friend, Evelyn. In fact, she’s the one who designed the dress you bought for your sister.”
Evelyn was so engaged in a conversation she was having with someone else, she didn’t notice that I was talking to him.
“Evelyn.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and she turned around. “I would like you to meet—” I looked at him.
“Jackson Caine.” He held out his hand.
“Nice to meet you.” She placed her hand in his.
“Mr. Caine bought one of your dresses for his sister,” I spoke.
“Ah, well, thank you. I hope she liked it.”
“She loved it.”
With a smile, she turned around and placed her drink order.
“I don’t believe I caught your name.” Jackson grinned.
“Emily Wade.”
He narrowed his eye as he stared at me. “As in Emily’s Edge?”
“Yes. I’m the owner of the shop.” I smiled.
“Impressive.” His brow raised.
Out of nowhere, a tall, lanky brunette came up and placed her hand on his back.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”
“Looks like you found me,” he spoke with a hint of irritation.
It was my turn at the bar, and I asked the bartender for a glass of Pinot Grigio.
“Make that two glasses and a double scotch,” Jackson spoke behind me.
As soon as the bartender handed me my wine, I held up my glass.
“It was nice to meet you, Jackson.” I walked away and caught up with Evelyn, who was engaged in another conversation.
“That’s the guy who was in the shop that day?” she whispered as she lightly grabbed hold of my arm.
“Yes.”
�
��Shit, Emily. Katie was right; he is drop dead gorgeous. What’s he doing here?”
“Obviously, he’s here with his girlfriend.”
“The brunette?” she asked.
“Yep.”
“She’s not that pretty. He could do so much better.”
I rolled my eyes and we made our way to table number fifteen and took our seats. So far, we were the only two sitting down. As I was sipping on my wine, I looked up and noticed Jackson and his brunette heading over our way. My stomach did a little flip as he took the seat next to mine.
“Hello again.” He smiled. “Looks like we’re table mates.”
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to use the ladies’ room,” the brunette spoke as she got up from her chair.
“Girlfriend?” I picked up my glass and took a sip.
“Oh, good god no. Just a friend.”
I had to lightly laugh at his reply. He sounded like I offended him by asking.
“How about you and Evelyn?”
“What about me and Evelyn?” I twisted my face.
“Are the two of you—”
I almost choked on the wine that was sliding down the back of my throat.
“NO! Do you think I’m a lesbian?” I whispered. “She works for me.”
A sly smile crossed his soft-looking perfect lips. “You can never be too sure these days.”
“So you think that because I came with my friend to a wedding because she didn’t want to come alone, that we’re lesbians?”
“Like I said, you can never be too sure these days.” He winked.
“Well, I can assure you that I’m not. I have so much man drama in my life that sometimes I contemplate it.”
Other guests took a seat at our table and we did the round of introductions. Kami was the brunette’s name and she didn’t look very happy that Jackson was talking to me. Right before dinner was served, the bride and groom stood up and gave a speech.
Chapter 6
Emily
“Simon and I would like to thank all of you for attending and celebrating our wonderful day with us. We both feel so honored that you took the time out of your busy schedules to share the most important day of our lives.”