Chapter 16
Harper
The next dayafter work I’m meeting Violet at a boutique she recommended. After I’d realized I was going to need a dress for this event and the advice of someone who’d attended it before, I’d called her for help. She’d happily agreed to go with me. It also bought me another day away from Alex because, after our kiss last night, I’m not ready to see him.
She’s running a few minutes late because of a client she was handing off conservation work to, so I’m mulling around window shopping. Staring at home décor and imagining what my new apartment is going to look like once we sell this house. It’s not long before I hear her call my name and turn around to see her hurrying in my direction.
She grins and gives me a hug when she’s on me. “I am so freaking glad you’re coming to this. Mac and Waylon had to cancel cause their little one has been sick all week and I need a friend there. So much snobbery in one room.”
“Yeah well. You’re not making me feel better about this. I’m nervous as hell, and I have no idea what to wear. Thank god you had time today. I have zero ideas of where to even start.”
“Yeah. Dressing up for these things is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get to dress up and be gorgeous, on the other you have to do all the work that entails.”
“Right. And I haven’t bought anything approaching a formal gown since… well my wedding I guess, not that that counts. Probably prom? Ugh.”
“It’s fine. I love this place. The owner is super sweet and she’s always happy to help find something that makes you feel good.”
“Can I get fitted in time for the gala though?”
“Yeah. She’ll have it ready. I already phoned ahead to be sure, and she said she can make it work. Especially for a charity event.”
She locks arms with me, and we head inside.
After trying on dozens and dozens of dresses, or at least what feels like it, we finally decide on a long dark red dress that I’ll have to wear heels and shapewear with, but that looks freaking amazing on. Complete with a long slit up the leg that makes me feel like some sort of Bond girl. It’s nothing I would usually wear but it feels appropriate given the company I’ll be in, and between Violet and the boutique owner Faye, I’m convinced to wear it. The best part is that it fits almost perfectly as-is, so now I’m working on having my measurements taken so she can do some minor tailoring before I pick it up later this week.
When she’s done with the measurements, Faye rings me up at the counter and then gives me a total that nearly knocks me over. I mean, I’m prepared given that I’ve already seen the price tag, but to actually pay it feels a little like being held for ransom. I start pulling my card out, telling myself I’ll find somewhere else to wear it someday. You know, the next time a gorgeous pro football player needs me on his arm at an event.
“I’ve got it!” Violet stands up and hurries over, opening her purse and pulling out a black card.
“What are you talking about? I’ve got it.” I frown at her. I loved her for all the selfless ways she was willing to help me and everyone else around her, but I wasn’t going to let her pay for my dress.
“Oh, it’s not mine. I guess when you told Alex we were going today, he gave the card to Ben to give to me after practice. He said to tell you to hold on to it and give it back to him.”
“I am not using his card.”
“He said you’d say that, and he said to remind you that he’s already bought you half the things you own so one more won’t hurt. I have no idea what that means but he said you would.”
“That ass.”
“I mean it’s kind of sweet that he wants to do this for you. I think he might be soft on you.” Violet gives me a look that says I should just play nice with him.
“Fine.” I resign myself to this fate. If he wants to do it, I’m not going to argue. Besides, for him, this would be a line item on a long list of monthly expenses, where I’d be making installment payments for the next twelve months.
She hands the card to the woman at the counter.
“Perfect. I’ll get this rung up and then get all the measurements and stuff written down. I’ll print a copy for you and then we’ll have you on your way. You guys can have a seat for a few minutes while I do that. There’s water and champagne over there if you need a drink.”
I sit down on the gorgeously ornate antique conversation chair Faye has sat next to an old refurbished dresser with a refreshment bar. Violet grabs a glass of water and offers me one, but I shake my head.
“So you don’t think it’s sweet that Xander is doing this for you?” She asks as she sits back down next to me.
“He feels bad for me because his friend is an asshole. That’s why he’s doing this. It’s why he did what he did the other night and got us into this mess. Guilt by association. He was mortified when he found out Drew had cheated on me and that I thought he was in on it. He honestly might feel worse about things than Drew ever did. Should tell him he shouldn’t bother if his friend can’t.”
“Uh-huh. And the little tête-à-tête I walked in on after the white knight incident? That was him pitying you, and you… what exactly?”
I glare at her because frankly, that scene was indefensible. It was my brain being scrambled by Alex and his stupid hot body and weirdly protective nature. I sigh.
“He’s hot. I know that. I… you know. I’ve told you we had that run-in years ago that first night I met him.”
“And you’ve secretly wanted him ever since, and now the star-crossed lovers can finally be together? Sounds like me and Ben. I love it.”
“Violet, I understand you have like, the perfect husband the rest of us all wish we had, but Alex is so not Ben. Need I point out the long line of offenses, fights, women, and questionable decisions?”
“I mean Ben ended up with me because of questionable decisions, so he’s not immune to them.”
“But he’s not a Xander-Xavier-XXL level dumpster fire of them.”
“No.”
“Okay then. So while I am attracted to him, there’s a reason I walked away the first time. Now I’m even older and theoretically wiser than I was then. I know better. Plus, four years ago I was a lot of things I’m not anymore. I’m bracing for when the gossip blogs get wind of us together. I can’t wait for the headlines ‘Hottest player in the league ends up with divorced mid-looking woman who lives in the suburbs.’ Then there will be some terrible-looking photo of me stuffing my face with a donut and looking awkward. Can’t wait!”
“You do not give yourself credit. Also, did you just see yourself in that dress?”
“Well, I mean it did look good.”
“Look good? He is going to die.”
“Or I am. I have to see him dressed up in a suit in person, and I am not prepared. I still remember what he looked like at the wedding.”
“Your wedding?” She raises a brow.
“Listen… my eyes were on my husband but when the best man looks like him, I feel like I should be forgiven for a moment of cold feet.”
“You never told me that.”
“Because it was a fleeting moment. My nerves got the best of me. That night haunted me a little bit. But I’m over it now.”
“Right. Over it.” She gives me a skeptical look.
“Very over it, and just playing the dutiful girlfriend.”
“So what happens when he decides he wants to revisit that first night?”
“That’s not happening.” Which is mostly true, even though I’d almost tried to revisit it last night.
“Uh-huh.”
I make a face at her and then Faye calls us back over to the desk, and I go to finish checking out, taking the information and her phone number while giving her mine so that they can let me know when the dress is ready.
“You’ll have to come over to my house before the event. We’ll get ready together. I have a friend who’s amazing at hair and makeup. I can see if she can do both of us if you want?”
“All right. That would be perfect. If she doesn’t mind.”
Violet makes a little happy face and squeezes my arm. “I for one hope this works out because having you at team events and games would make my life.”
“Yeah, well don’t get your hopes up.” I eye her warily as we head out of the store to grab some gelato before going home for the night.