14. Alexandria
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
alexandria
I’m halfway through drafting an email to one of Vik’s conglomerates when my phone flashes, accompanied by the energetic chime of an incoming group FaceTime call. I check the caller ID on who initiated what will no doubt be one rowdy conversation.
Gennie.
I hit Accept immediately, smiling instantly when the grid populates familiar faces. Gennie’s bright eyes dominate the center square while Romy, Mischa, Seraphina, and Cory pop up one by one in their boxes.
“Where’s Jett?” Cory asks immediately, propping her phone up.
“Sleeping,” Gennie explains, waving a hand. “She worked a shoot all night. Some model showed up late and delayed the process even more than it already was due to the shoot location. I called an emergency meeting, because I have a crisis, a massive, huge, I-don’t-know-where-to-begin crisis!”
“What kind are we talking about, because two back-to-back meeting of the minds and I might have to look for a different job,” Mischa says, adjusting her wired headphones.
“Okay, so, as you all know, a family friend is hosting their annual charity gala this Saturday.” Gennie takes a dramatic breath, which is definitely not like her.
This is really bugging her. “It’s a cause that’s extremely near and dear to me: childhood cancer.
You know my friend passed away from leukemia when we were fourteen, and I’ll do anything to help raise funds.
Which, by the way, I need to make a stop at Sterling today to pick up the checks Rafe, Dom, and Vik wrote.
Alex, can you work on your husband for me?
” I let out a huff of laughter. I’m still not quite sure how to feel about being married to a billionaire or how any of it will play out.
“I’ll get right on that.” My hand wraps around a pen and pulls my notepad toward me.
Reminder: Talk to Dante about Gennie’s fundraiser.
“We know, sweetie,” Seraphina says gently. “We’re all so excited to be there.”
“Right, well, as part of the fundraising drive, I volunteered to auction off a date with yours truly.” Gennie stands up and starts to pace.
“Which is fine, great even! The problem is... I have absolutely no idea what to wear. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada.” A collective murmur of understanding echoes through the call.
I still haven’t decided on a dress myself.
Then again, I’m not standing in for an auction, either.
“Gennie, you have a closet the size of a small studio apartment,” Romy points out.
“Yes, filled with books and clothes that are not black tie appropriate.” Gennie groans, throwing her hands up.
“Look, you guys know me. I’m not a fashionista.
I wear clothes for comfort, not for style.
And I know I tend to go for things that are a little too loose, a little too hidden, and clothes that are, well, not stylish.
And I’ve been fine with that, because I’ve never felt the need to showcase myself or stand out in the crowd. ”
A quiet beat settles over the call. We all know the real reason behind Gennie’s lingering self-doubt, even if she barely brings it up.
Her ex-boyfriend was not the right fit for her.
He had a toxic masculinity that was not cute.
And she stayed with him for over a year.
He made backhanded comments about her “lack of effort,” criticizing her wardrobe choices, subtly chipping away at her confidence until she convinced herself that this was normal behavior.
Before the douche nugget, she still wore clothes that weren’t always flattering to her curvy figure, but when he came around, it seemed to manifest even worse.
I hated him from the very first moment I met him, but when a friend is sucked into a relationship like that, you can only speak your mind so many times before you realize nagging won’t change their mind.
All you can do is wait for them to see the truth and be there to pick up the pieces when they finally kick the shit for brains to the curb.
And Gennie did kick his ass to the curb. Three months ago. Thank god. And now it’s our job as her girls to make her feel and believe she’s an incredible and stunning woman.
“Okay, first of all,” I speak up, setting my pen down and leaning into my screen, “that jerk is completely out of the picture now, Gennie. You are dropping his ghost from your closet today.”
“Alex is right,” Mischa agrees. “Your body is tea, you have gorgeous legs and a heart of gold. It’s time we put you in something that reflects who you are.”
“I just get, well, nervous,” Gennie admits softly, biting her lip as she looks down at the floor. “I’m so used to wearing baggy clothes that what if I try to wear something bold and look like I’m trying too hard?”
“You could never look like you’re trying too hard,” Seraphina insists softly. “You’re going to be standing on a stage raising money for a foundation that honors your best friend’s memory. You deserve to feel like a queen while doing so.”
“Exactly. This isn’t about him or what he made you feel. This is about you shining for a cause that matters to you. And honestly? The person who wins you as a date will lose their mind the moment you walk out on the stage,” Cory chimes in.
“Also, you don’t have to wear anything bold or flashy. We don’t want you to lose who you are, we just want you to see yourself how we see you,” I tell Gennie.
“You really think so?” A small smile finally breaks through her anxious expression.
“We know so,” I say warmly. “So, here’s the plan.
We’re all coming over to your place tonight after work.
Romy, bring the wine. Mischa, bring your stylist eye.
Cory, pilfer your closet. I’ll do the same.
Seraphina, can you provide the sustenance?
And if we have to go shopping, that will be on tomorrow’s agenda. ”
“I have a better idea. Since were in operation No More Hiding, why don’t I just use Vik’s card and book a dressing room at that one swanky place? My treat, or Vik’s really.”
“We’re finding you a dress that makes you feel unstoppable,” Romy declares with a wink.
“Deal,” Gennie whispers, teary-eyed. “Thank you, guys. Seriously. I don’t know what I would do without you. I’ll take the room, but I can pay for my clothes.”
“You’re not paying. I am,” Romy puts her foot down. I’d be willing to chip in as well, except Gennie, much like all of us, has a hard time taking handouts.
“You could wear a burlap sack and make it look cute,” Seraphina teases, changing the subject.
“Romy, can you reserve it for six o’clock?” I ask.
“Yes, the fashion show will promptly begin then. Don’t be late,” she replies.
After a chorus of goodbyes and tossed air kisses, the call is disconnected, leaving my office area quiet.
I lean back in my chair, excited to help Gennie step in the confidence I know she has.
We’ve all supported each other through heartbreaks, terrible exes, and life-changing career shifts, and seeing her finally reclaim a little bit of her light back in her eyes, well, it’s the icing on the cake.
My phone buzzes on the desk. I pick it up, expecting it to be a message from our group chat, but Dante’s name illuminates the screen.
Dante: Do you miss me yet?
I bite back a ridiculous smile while typing out a quick response.
Alexandria: Barely. I have an emergency girls’ night to help Gennie prep for the charity gala.
His reply comes almost instantly.
Dante: A charity event? I might have to buy out the entire auction to keep my wife home with me.
Alexandria: Considering you’re now my plus one, I don’t think buying the whole event is necessary. Then again, Gennie is looking for more contributors. Care to make a sizable donation?
Dante: Depends on what I get in return…
Alexandria: Anything you want?
I’m playing a dangerous game when I send my last text. It could be anything when it comes to Dante Lombardi.
Dante: Your last name changed, this weekend in Medina, and you in no clothing.
Alexandria: Deal.
Dante: Writing the check now. See you at home, wife.
Alexandria: See you at home, husband.
I shake my head, rolling my eyes at his relentlessness. There’s a warm flutter in my stomach that refuses to fade. I set my phone aside and pull up the email I was working on, ready to power through the rest of my workday so I can be there for Gennie and go home to Dante.