Yours for Christmas (Fool's Gold #15.5)(28)

CHAPTER NINE

BAILEY HELD HER hands palm-up. “I honestly don’t know how this happened,” she told Isabel. “It’s not like he asked me. It was just sort of expected.”

Isabel laughed. “As long as you’re going.”

“I don’t have anything to wear.” Dinner with Kenny’s business partners was one thing, but the Score Christmas party was something else. For starters, several clients had been invited. She didn’t know what to say to a man who owned a company that rented out private jets to rich people. Or a couple that owned a worldwide rum brand.

But Kenny had mentioned the party a couple of times and she’d finally realized that she was his date. Not that they were dating. Or kissing. There hadn’t been a single kiss since that one. This despite the fact that she saw Kenny nearly every day. She tried to tell herself the man had extraordinary control, only she was afraid the truth was much less flattering. He really was just friends with her.

Either way, she was going to the Score Christmas party, which was going to be an elegant affair up at the resort. Dellina had dropped hints about the decorations for the ballroom and what the guests would be eating. The invitation had stated black tie very clearly. And as Bailey didn’t own a tux, she was forced to find a dress.

Which was where her visit to Isabel’s store had come in.

“I have you covered,” Isabel promised.

Bailey nodded, trying to telling herself everything would work out. Only she didn’t see how she could afford a nice dress, along with the accessories. It wasn’t like she was buying something for work, where she could justify the cost knowing she would wear it weekly for the next two years.

Isabel went into the back room of her store, then returned with a long dress. Bailey felt her breath catch as she stared at the stunning gown.

It was simple—a black lining with gold beading. The neck was round and not too low, the cap sleeves added interest at the shoulder.

Isabel handed her the dress and pushed her toward the changing rooms. “Try it on.”

Bailey did as she requested. She noticed there was no price tag, which made her nervous. But she stepped into the dress and pulled it up. The long zipper closed more easily than she expected. As she was on the bridal side of the store, there were no mirrors in the dressing room, so she had to go out to see how she looked.

Isabel smiled when she saw her. “I knew it. Try on these.”

“These” were a pair of simple black pumps with killer four-inch heels. Bailey managed to step into them and stand without hurting herself. She stepped up to the bridal mirror and glanced at her reflection.

“Wow.”

“I know, right?” Isabel stepped up behind her. “The fit is incredible. You look like a movie star.”

Bailey thought maybe her friend was exaggerating, but she would accept the compliment. The gold beading added a warmth to her skin that made it glow. The color was perfect with her red hair. The dress itself hugged her curves, but in the best way possible. She looked like a redheaded Kim Kardashian.

“I love it,” she admitted. “But how much is it?”

Isabel wrinkled her nose. “Don’t get mad, but it’s not one of mine. It’s a rental. I found the site online and had them overnight the dress to me.” She handed Bailey the invoice. “Considering the retail value of the dress, it’s a bargain.”

Bailey had to agree. She could rent the dress for the week for less than a hundred dollars. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. The shoes are Taryn’s. She also sent over a bag and some jewelry.” Isabel grinned. “Because she loves you.”

“I love her back.” Bailey glanced at the high heels. “I should have recognized them as being from her collection.”

She stepped down and they opened the box that had arrived from Taryn that morning. Inside was a Judith Lieber black-and-gold clutch and a pair of diamond-stud earrings.

“I don’t want to know what those cost,” Isabel murmured.

“Me, either.” Bailey told herself she wasn’t going to cry. “When did she get back from her trip?”

“Yesterday.”

And Taryn had done this for her today. “I’m going to have to give her a kidney or something to say thank you.”

Isabel hugged her. “It will make her happy to see you looking like a princess.”

“I think I’d rather be a sex goddess.”

“That, too.”

* * *

BAILEY DIDN’T KNOW where to look first. The ballroom had been decorated in white. White trees, white twinkle lights, white flowers on white tablecloths. There were perfect red accents—a red ribbon running down the center of each table. A single red rose at every other place setting. Formally dressed serving staff circulated with glasses of champagne. She was out of her element, but prepared to have the time of her life.

Having an incredibly handsome man at her side certainly helped, she thought. Kenny had shown up on time, looking movie-star gorgeous in a tailored tux. But what really got her heart beating fast was the look on his face when he saw her. The moment of appreciation and raw desire had gone a long way in upping her confidence quotient.

Now, as they circulated through the party, he kept his hand on the small of her back. When they stopped to talk to clients, he kept his hand possessively on her hip. She told herself not to read too much into his actions, but she couldn’t help the little ripples of excitement that zipped through her.