Virtuous(76)

I didn’t have sleepovers. I didn’t get a chance to play team sports. I spent one full year in high school. Other than the one time I wish I could forget but never will, I don’t have any experience with showing my body to strangers, and I hesitate now.

Tenley immediately senses my hesitation and softens. “This is my job, honey. I’ll be discreet. I promise.”

Because Flynn has a right to his privacy, I take her into one of the guest rooms rather than his room. She makes quick work of getting me into the dress. This one shows a lot more of my breasts and my left leg, thanks to a split that extends nearly to my waist.

I tug on the bodice that refuses to budge any higher. “I don’t know about this.”

“Come out and see it in the mirrors. You might feel differently.”

I doubt I will, but I follow her anyway.

Addie gasps. “Oh, wow, Natalie… The other one is pretty, but that one’s a knockout. That’s the one.”

I stand before the double mirrors that came with the dresses, and immediately see what they see. This one is special. I barely look like me in it. I look like someone brave and fearless, someone who is perhaps on the verge of a whole new life she never could’ve imagined for herself.

“Will you be comfortable in it, Natalie?” Tenley asks. “If not, the plum is perfect on you, too.”

“The plum is the safe choice.” I can’t stop looking at myself in the mirror. I can’t believe that’s me. I look like the women in the magazines after the award shows. “This one’s a bit riskier.”

“It is,” Tenley agrees, “but it’s still classy and sexy.”

“Who is it?” Addie asks.

“Gucci Couture.”

“Gucci,” I whisper. “For real?”

“As real as it gets and one of a kind. And apparently made just for you.”

“What happens at midnight?” I ask them.

In the mirror, I see them exchange perplexed glances.

“Do you mean tomorrow night?” Addie asks.

“I’m thinking about Cinderella and what happened when the clock struck midnight.”

“In Hollywood,” Tenley says, “that’s when things are just getting interesting.” She unzips the dress. “You’re going to blow them away.”

“You’re going to blow him away,” Addie adds.

I like the idea of that. “Okay, ladies. Gucci it is.”

“Fantastic,” Tenley says, her satisfaction apparent. “Now, about the shoes.”





Chapter 16





Tenley and Addie are long gone by the time Flynn finally returns. He’s sweating profusely and breathing hard when he comes into the house. Sweaty has never looked so sexy to me.

“Oh, hey, you’re up.” He goes straight to the fridge for a bottle of water that he downs in three big gulps.

“I’m up, and I’ve been styled, too.”

“Tenley was already here?”

“Yep. All done.”

“What’d you pick?”

“I’ll let you see for yourself tomorrow. They took it to do a few alterations, and she’ll meet us in town tomorrow for finishing touches.”

“You’re happy with it?”

The question makes me laugh. “Yes, Flynn, I’m happy with the Gucci Couture dress I get to wear to the Golden Globes tomorrow night. And I’m thrilled with the Valentino sandals I’ll be wearing with the one-of-a-kind dress.”

“Good. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

He says the words the way he always does, but something is different.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You seem… I don’t know… distracted or something.”

“Sorry about that. I had a couple of work things crop up early, and they’re on my mind. I’ll shake it off in the shower and then make you some breakfast. Sound good?”

“Or I could make you some breakfast while you’re in the shower.”

“Only if I get to do the dishes.”

“Deal.”

“I’ll be quick.”

I want to know what happened, what has him so distracted, but I figure he’ll share it with me if he wants to. I don’t want to be, but I’m disappointed that something has changed since our wonderful afternoon and evening together yesterday.