Four Week Fiance 2(5)

“I thought you met them already?”

“I met the board of directors, but not the shareholders as well.” I sighed. “This is the first really, really important party. I’ll be left alone. People will be asking me questions, judging me.” I made a face. “I just don’t want to let TJ down.”

“Ask me if I care if you let TJ down.” She pursed her lips and then smiled, a slow, totally innocent-looking smile. “I will help you pick a dress though.”

“Hmm, what’s the catch?” I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at her devious-looking face.

“What catch?” She grinned.

“Well, why are you so eager to help if you think TJ is a douchebag?”

“Just because I think he’s a douche, doesn’t mean you do.” She shrugged. “Plus, I want you to look so sexy tonight that he’s not going to want to keep his hands off of you, but he’ll have to because this is a party with business associates.”

“You’re totally devious.” I laughed at her. “But I like it. However, it can’t be too sexy. Nothing that says I’m a hooker or a high-class escort.”

“What about low-class escort?”

“Sally.” I glared at her.

“Just joking.” She giggled and headed to my closet. “Okay, let me see what you have in here.” She rifled through my dresses and then looked at me. “I don’t suppose he’ll give you a credit card for a new dress?”

“He already gave me one.” I made a face and sighed. “My wardrobe sucks, doesn’t it?”

“He offered you a credit card?” Sally’s eyes lit up. “To buy whatever you want?”

“I guess.” I shrugged. “I didn’t take it.”

“You didn’t take it?” Her eyes widened. “What are you? Dumb?”

“No, I already told you I don’t want to give anyone any reason to think I’m a paid escort or whore.”

“Who is ‘anyone’, Mila?” Sally shook her head. “Get that card and let’s go shopping.”

“Sally,” I groaned.

“What?” She pulled out a flowery sundress. “Do you want to wear this or your slutty black Lycra dress that you got for the clubs?”

“Neither,” I sighed.

“Exactly.” She hung the dress back up. “You don’t have a wardrobe for expensive dinners with millionaires. And tonight you need a dress that’s going to wow the socks off of him. Tonight you have to give TJ a taste of his own medicine.”

“Thanks.”

“I don’t have one either.” She shrugged and then looked away. “And I most probably will never need one, either.”

“Why not?” I said in my perfunctory way, though I already knew the answer would have something to do with her not having a boyfriend.

“Because I’ll never be invited to those dinners,” she said sorrowfully.

“Why not?” I asked and then continued. “Is it because you’re going to be single forever?”

“Mila!” She glared at me.

“What?” I reached over and touched her shoulder. “You’re not going to be single forever because my brother is a whore.”

“How is he, by the way?” she asked softly, her eyes searching mine. I wasn’t sure how to answer. Did I tell her that Cody had asked me about her twice now? Did I tell her that a part of me had a feeling that maybe Cody did like her, possibly? I didn’t know what to do. She was my best friend, and as much as I wanted to make this better, I didn’t know what to do or say. I loved her like a sister and I didn’t want my brother to be the one to ruin our friendship forever, if he turned out to not like her or to like her and then cheat on her or something else crazy like that.

“I’m not sure.” I shrugged and gave her a wry smile. “He’s not really talking to me.” I rolled my eyes.

“Why?” She looked at me with an expression of hope, as if she hoped that his reason for being so cold to me was due to the fact that she was my best friend and he wanted her.

“He said and I quote, ‘you scarred me by sleeping with TJ. I’m not sure how I didn’t lose it and rip you out of the bed, but I think shock stopped me. You should be thanking your lucky stars.’ Ugh.” I made a face at her. “He needs to just get over it.”

“That is a big thing for him to witness, though.” Sally laughed. “I mean, it’s not every day you see your little sister boinking your best friend.”

“True, ha-ha.” I sighed. “I sure don’t want to see him boinking anyone.”

“Not even your best friend?” Sally gave me a look and laughed slightly. She ran her hands through her hair and then sighed. “Why is this such a mess? I wish I could just not like him. I don’t want to feel this way.”

“I’m sorry.” I reached my arms out to her. “I hate that you’re feeling this way.”

“It’s fine.” She made a face as I gave her a quick hug. “It’s just what I get for falling for a guy who has never shown any interest in me.”

“He has shown an interest.” I stumbled over my words, trying to find a balance in telling my friend that she wasn’t a fool, but not wanting to lead her on to thinking that he was interested. “But he’s a player. I don’t know how he’s getting women because he sucks, but he’s just not the ‘settling down’ type.”