me. My hair was pulled into a loose low bun and smoky eye makeup highlighted the deep blue of my dress. The overall look was both sexy and elegant and if I could find another ten or so occasions to wear it, it might even justify the money I’d spent.
Julia looked up as I walked into the living room and let out a low whistle. “Wow. Just wow. You’re going to be the belle of the ball.”
I laughed. “I highly doubt that. But seriously, thanks for today. I really had no idea what a big deal this is. If you left it to me, God knows what I would have turned up in.”
She smiled. “What can I say? I’m the perfect roommate.”
#
The fundraiser was at The Plaza Hotel and as our car pulled up to the entrance, I finally understood what Julia meant by a big deal. There was media everywhere, literally rows and rows of reporters. It was clipboard city with all the PR girls racing around speaking into their headsets. I silently thanked God for Julia and her insistence on going all out with the dress.
As I followed Carrie out of the car she turned and grabbed hold of my arm. “Just stick with Dana and me until we get through this mess and you’ll be fine.”
The heat from all the blinding lights was what struck me first, the way the temperature shot up about ten degrees the minute I stepped into the spotlight. And the noise, it was like white noise turned up to an almost deafening volume, each TV network and reporter fighting for air time with the rich and famous.
About halfway down the gauntlet, Carrie nudged me, winking as she said, “Well if it isn’t your driver, Em.”
I followed her gaze to see Will a few feet away being interviewed. His broad frame was encased in a tux and he looked just as relaxed in it as he had in his training gear. I wasn’t sure I’d ever met someone who was so comfortable in their skin. He was laughing at something the reporter had said and it made me itch to hear the sound.
I watched him for a few more seconds before realizing both girls were looking at me.
“What?”
Dana nudged my side. “Enjoying the view much?”
I gave a small smile. “Oh come on, only as much as both of you are.”
Dana shrugged. “Touché.”
All three of us laughed and looked back to where Will stood, only to find him staring back at us. Or more specifically, me. I met his eyes and a jolt went through me as I followed the way his gaze moved slowly up and down my body, coming back to land on my face. His eyes were hooded and without question, I knew he was imagining me without the dress on. I could literally feel him peeling it off, and I was sure if I closed my eyes, I could feel his touch on my skin. I could see his lips moving in response to a question, but his eyes never left mine and I became simultaneously uncomfortable and excited all at the same time.
“I’m not sure Jensen even realizes he’s on live TV right now.” I looked over at Carrie who was still staring at Will.
“Come on, let’s get inside. I’m hungry.” I tugged on her arm.
“Are you serious? This is probably the most exciting thing that’s going to happen all night.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I made the mistake then of looking back at Will and found he was still staring at me. Still undressing me. Not knowing what else to do, I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers, giving him the least obvious wave I could manage.
He raised his chin in acknowledgement and held up his index finger, silently asking me to wait while he turned back to the reporter, extending his hand to shake hers and effectively ending the interview. I heard both Dana and Carrie gasp beside me.
Oh hell no, there was absolutely no way I was speaking to him on the red carpet. He who had at least fifty cameras trained on him, capturing his every movement.
“Girls, let’s go. Like now.” I pushed Dana in front of me up toward the ballroom. Thankfully much-needed champagne was being handed out as we entered the room. I grabbed one and gulped at least
Julia looked up as I walked into the living room and let out a low whistle. “Wow. Just wow. You’re going to be the belle of the ball.”
I laughed. “I highly doubt that. But seriously, thanks for today. I really had no idea what a big deal this is. If you left it to me, God knows what I would have turned up in.”
She smiled. “What can I say? I’m the perfect roommate.”
#
The fundraiser was at The Plaza Hotel and as our car pulled up to the entrance, I finally understood what Julia meant by a big deal. There was media everywhere, literally rows and rows of reporters. It was clipboard city with all the PR girls racing around speaking into their headsets. I silently thanked God for Julia and her insistence on going all out with the dress.
As I followed Carrie out of the car she turned and grabbed hold of my arm. “Just stick with Dana and me until we get through this mess and you’ll be fine.”
The heat from all the blinding lights was what struck me first, the way the temperature shot up about ten degrees the minute I stepped into the spotlight. And the noise, it was like white noise turned up to an almost deafening volume, each TV network and reporter fighting for air time with the rich and famous.
About halfway down the gauntlet, Carrie nudged me, winking as she said, “Well if it isn’t your driver, Em.”
I followed her gaze to see Will a few feet away being interviewed. His broad frame was encased in a tux and he looked just as relaxed in it as he had in his training gear. I wasn’t sure I’d ever met someone who was so comfortable in their skin. He was laughing at something the reporter had said and it made me itch to hear the sound.
I watched him for a few more seconds before realizing both girls were looking at me.
“What?”
Dana nudged my side. “Enjoying the view much?”
I gave a small smile. “Oh come on, only as much as both of you are.”
Dana shrugged. “Touché.”
All three of us laughed and looked back to where Will stood, only to find him staring back at us. Or more specifically, me. I met his eyes and a jolt went through me as I followed the way his gaze moved slowly up and down my body, coming back to land on my face. His eyes were hooded and without question, I knew he was imagining me without the dress on. I could literally feel him peeling it off, and I was sure if I closed my eyes, I could feel his touch on my skin. I could see his lips moving in response to a question, but his eyes never left mine and I became simultaneously uncomfortable and excited all at the same time.
“I’m not sure Jensen even realizes he’s on live TV right now.” I looked over at Carrie who was still staring at Will.
“Come on, let’s get inside. I’m hungry.” I tugged on her arm.
“Are you serious? This is probably the most exciting thing that’s going to happen all night.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I made the mistake then of looking back at Will and found he was still staring at me. Still undressing me. Not knowing what else to do, I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers, giving him the least obvious wave I could manage.
He raised his chin in acknowledgement and held up his index finger, silently asking me to wait while he turned back to the reporter, extending his hand to shake hers and effectively ending the interview. I heard both Dana and Carrie gasp beside me.
Oh hell no, there was absolutely no way I was speaking to him on the red carpet. He who had at least fifty cameras trained on him, capturing his every movement.
“Girls, let’s go. Like now.” I pushed Dana in front of me up toward the ballroom. Thankfully much-needed champagne was being handed out as we entered the room. I grabbed one and gulped at least
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