Pushed

Chapter 4

Standingin front of my closet, I flipped through the hangers. Nothing in here even came close to being good enough for a gala.

With the crazy hours I worked, I was either at the restaurant or home sleeping. My wardrobe consisted of chef clothes or old comfy sweats. Not much beyond that.

I needed help.

I quickly typed out a distress message to my two best friends.

Paige and I had been roommates throughout college and even after. And Javi lived across the hall. Paige was a pastry chef, and Javi was an interior designer. From the moment we met, we just clicked. I’ve never had such good friends that I knew would always have my back. Even after taking this job and moving two hours away from them, I knew they’d still help me out if they could.

SOS. Gala tomorrow night. Help!

Javi

You’re going to the Hunger Gala? How did that happen?

Seems I have a fairy godmother in town.

Paige

Isn’t a fairy godmother supposed to provide the gown?

Providing the ticket was enough. Maybe she knows I have you two for wardrobe wizardry.

Javi

We’re on it. I know just the thing.

Paige

Javi, I’ll pick you up in the morning. Let the makeover begin!!

Now I’m really scared.

Javi

Nonsense. We’ll make Cinderella shine!

Paige

You know we love you, AJ. And this event will be huge for you. Imagine rubbing shoulders and even flirting with all those biggies.

I’m doomed. You know I’m terrible at flirting.

Javi

When we’re done with you, you won’t need to flirt to get them falling all over you.

I’m not looking for a relationship. My career is my priority.

Considering I’d jump into shark-infested waters to own my own restaurant, dressing up for one evening and rubbing shoulders with big wigs wasn’t asking a lot. Maybe I’d meet someone who could help me do that. Or maybe find a new place to work, since Mr. Quince wouldn’t let me make a single change to the menu.

This wasn’t the first time I questioned my decision to leave the city and move to this small town. I’d thought, surely it would have been easier to set myself up in business someplace small. Proving myself as head chef here seemed a logical first step. So far, that had proved false. But I kept hoping one of these days, Mr. Quince would change his mind and give my creations a chance.

Paige

Maybe you’ll find both. Leave it to your fairy godmothers.

That’s what worried me.

Eric toldme not to bother coming in to help prep on Thursday. It was all the same as any other day. He could handle it.

I was grateful for a full day off and time to prepare for this gala. But it felt weird to turn everything over to him, even for one day.

My doorbell rang and in burst my makeover team carrying cases, garment bags, and boxes. Not to mention coffees and pastries to get us started.

Paige set the food and drinks on the counter. “I had to bring this, knowing we wouldn’t get far without sustenance.”

“Wow. You guys thought of everything.”

“I don’t watch all those extreme makeover shows for nothing. I’ve picked up a trick or two.” Javi hung the garment bags over the back of my recliner and set the boxes on the floor.

“Let’s see what you’ve got, then.” I rubbed my hands together in anticipation.

Javi pointed to the bags. “I brought you two choices. I’m certain both will be fabulous on you.”

“What if they don’t fit or don’t look good on me?”

Javi’s face fell, and he brushed away the thought with the flick of his wrist. “Oh please. As if I would pick out something that wouldn’t look amazing on you. You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Okay. Okay. Let’s do this.”

He handed me one garment bag. “Try this one first. Come out when you have it on so we can see.”

I stepped into my bedroom and changed out of my sweats. Inside the garment bag was a gorgeous dress in a deep plum color. I slipped it on over my head, liking the feel of the silky fabric over my skin.

I gazed at my reflection in the mirror and couldn’t help but smile as I turned each direction. Javi knew what he was doing.

The gown was asymmetrical, with a scrappy sleeve only on the right shoulder, leaving the left shoulder bare. A sheer train hung from the top of the single, slender sleeve. The skirt was straight, with a slit high up the left leg. The style accented what curves I did have and gave the appearance of longer legs—always a bonus at five foot four. The color looked good with my dark hair and light skin tone. Even my green eyes appeared brighter.

I emerged from my room with gasps and ahs from my friends.

Paige looked me up and down and nodded her approval. “That’s stunning on you, AJ.”

Javi pulled out a shoebox and removed the lid. “Try these. I do have a couple others, if they don’t fit.”

“Thanks. Where did you get all this, anyway?” I set the shoes on the floor and stepped into them. They fit perfectly, even though I secretly hated wearing heels. I couldn’t exactly get away with wearing my comfortable work shoes or tennies with a gown like this. Javi would bean me with this heel for even thinking such a thing. I just prayed I wouldn’t fall on my face wearing these death spikes.

Javi got a dreamy expression on his face. “Remember that guy I told you about? We’ve been on a few dates now. Promising. Anyway, he’s a buyer for a high-end clothing store, and gave us these on loan. So don’t wreck them.”

“He wants to sell them after I’ve worn them?”

“Of course not. They were from a fashion show they did recently. So they’ve already been worn. And I knew with your figure and size, they would fit you like a glove.” Javi sat back and took a sip of his coffee. His eyes gleamed with pride.

“You’re right. This dress is like it was made for me.”

“You still have to try the other one before we decide. Take a spin around so we can see on all sides.” Javi motioned for me to take a turn about the room like a model.

I did as he commanded. I was no Tyra Banks, but I’d watched America’s Top Model with Javi many times.

“Okay. Now go try on the other one.” He pointed to the second garment bag.

Back in my room, I slipped out of the dress, carefully laying it on my bed. Then picked up the next hanger.

This outfit had three pieces. Skinny black pants, a sleeveless green and black sequined bustier, and a long sheer jacket with faint sparkles throughout it, reminding me of the night sky.

Again, it all fit like it was made for me. Javi truly had a gift. I stared at myself in the mirror and wondered if Taylor felt like this before walking out on stage. Very few people knew I was a closet Swiftie, but I appreciated how she empowered women to be themselves and to own their successes. In this outfit, I felt powerful.

I walked out into the living room like I owned it. They both inhaled but didn’t say a word.

Javi set a pair of black heels on the floor in front of me. I stepped into them and twirled around, the sheer jacket flowing behind me like a magical cape. “Well. What do you think?”

Paige stepped forward to touch the jacket. “You were stunning in the first one, but this. This one is a show-stopper. What do you think, Javi?”

Javi beamed with pride. “I have outdone myself.”

“You really have. I love them both, and you know how much I hate dressing up, or even shopping, for that matter.” I stood in front of the mirror and held the dress next to me so I could see them both. “But which do you think I should wear?”

“You couldn’t go wrong with either. But like Paige, I vote for number two. It is elegant and has an air of mystery about it. And the green in the top makes your eyes pop. They’re actually sparkling like emeralds.”

I fluttered my eyes at him dramatically, then I turned to go back and change. “That was easy enough.”

Javi stopped me. “Not so fast, Cinderella. Your transformation has just begun. Paige, what are we going to do with her hair?”

She studied me with her finger on her lips. “I’d been thinking down with curls, because we never get to see her hair down. But with this outfit, an updo would be much more elegant.”

“I agree. Something a little loose and messy, but sophisticated, with a wisp hanging down by her ears.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I had in mind. Sit down here, AJ, so I can get to work.”

I did as I was told and let them work their magic. By the afternoon, I’d been completely transformed from head to toe. They even gave me a mani and pedi.

“Thank you both so much. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

“When you meet your Prince Charming, you can introduce me to his brother.” Paige said with a wink.

“Or me.” Javi suggested, waggling his brows.

“Hey. I thought you’d already met yours. My fairy godfather clothier.”

Javi shrugged and tipped his head. “Maybe. But it’s early days. I need to keep my options open.”

“Well, you both know I don’t believe in fairytales. And I don’t need a man to make my dreams come true. Or get in the way of them.”

“Alright, so you don’t need to marry Prince Charming.” Paige lifted an eyebrow and smirked. “But you can still have some fun with him while you’re at the ball.”

I tossed a towel at her, and it hit her in the face. She balled it up and was about to throw it back at me when Javi stopped her. “Don’t you dare mess up our fine work.”

Paige put her arm around Javi’s shoulders and looked at me. “Look, Javi. Our baby’s all grown up and going to prom, oops, I mean the ball.”

Javi wiped a fake tear from his cheek. “I know. It kind of hits you right here.” He patted his fist to his heart.

“No, that’s just the pastries hitting your arteries,” I quipped.

Javi held his hand up with his thumb pressed to his middle finger. “Hey, don’t make me snap my fingers and turn you back into a pumpkin.”

We all laughed and joked. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time. Since I moved away from them, actually. I don’t know what I’d do without these two. If only they didn’t live so far away.

Paige began packing up her supplies. “Speaking of your pumpkin, how are you getting to this gala?”

“Driving my car, of course.”

“And are you planning to drive yourself all the way back here at the end of the night?” she asked.

“Well, yeah.”

“Meep! Wrong answer.” Paige shook her head and waved a finger at me. “Nope. I don’t think so. I’ll ride with you to my apartment and then drive you to the event. Afterwards, you can either call me to come and pick you up, or you can get an Uber. Stay with me for the night and come back here in the morning. Safer for everyone. This way you can let loose and not worry about driving home. You deserve to have some fun once in a while.”

Javi gestured to Paige. “What she said.” Then he looked at me and his face lit with an idea. “In fact, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and do something you normally wouldn’t do.”

“This whole thing is out of my comfort zone.” I really hated events like this. All that fake schmoozing and small-talk. It made me want to hurl.

“That may be true, but I challenge you to take it a step further. Find a handsome prince and enjoy the bejeebers out of him. Just for one evening. No strings attached.” Javi gave me a quick hug and then held my shoulders. “Not every day a girl gets to go to the ball. Make the most of it.”

“Fine. I’ll do my best, but no promises.”

I intended to make the most of this opportunity, just not in the way they were thinking.