Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
CLOVER
“Ican do this,” I whisper to myself as I stare in the mirror.
Smokey lets out a meow of agreement in the background as I rub the fabric of the dress over my hips.
The silk satin feels soft and buttery, pooling and flowing in all the right places.
It’s a teal so vibrant it’s the same color as the glacier-fed lakes back home.
Thin straps hold the dress up, and the neckline allows for a hint of cleavage as the fabric clings to my chest and waist before flowing out over my hips.
With a tentative movement, I pop my leg out of the long slit running up the side of the dress.
There’s no doubt about it, this is the most beautiful and expensive thing I’ve worn in my life.
When I told Anita about the premiere, she assured me she’d get something for me to wear.
She put in a call to a gown rental place, and this showed up at my door a few days later.
I know it’s a rental, but the way it clings to my body makes it feel like it was meant for me.
I turn to look at the back of the dress, which features a low cut and highlights my back and how toned it’s looking after all the time and energy I’ve been spending in the gym.
Glancing over at the clock on my nightstand, I realize I’m going to be late if I don’t get moving.
Time for last-minute details and getting out the door.
I quickly run my hands through my soft, loose waves and apply a liberal amount of deodorant and perfume.
As I head toward the door, Smokey meows once more, as if to remind me of something.
I have no idea how it works, but it does, because I realize I’ve forgotten to put in my earrings.
“Thank you!” I give her a quick peck on the top of her head and grab the sparkling crescent-shaped earrings before ducking out into the hallway. Thankfully, Maren’s out at acting class tonight, so that’s one less asshole I need to worry about encountering.
Hurrying through my building, my silver heels make a melodic clickety clacking noise as I approach the front door. A tall, dark form stands near the building’s call box, one arm leaning above it. My stomach dips at the sight of Roman in his dark blue suit.
Noticing me, he pushes away from the call box and waits for me to get outside.
“Clover,” he greets.
“You know you can actually say the word ‘hello’, right?” I grumble.
“Hello.”
I roll my eyes. “Where’s Jill?”
“She’s getting her hair touched up. We’re picking her up from the salon and heading straight to the theater.”
“Okay, sounds good. Where did you park?”
“I didn’t,” he says simply, gesturing to the big limousine parked off to the side of my building.
Oh. Can’t say I’ve ever been in one of those before.
Roman walks to the limo, his long strides eating up the ground in a way that I can’t compete with in heels.
After a few seconds he turns, noticing that I’ve fallen behind, and wordlessly he waits until I’ve caught up before he moves again.
When we reach the limo, Roman opens the door and gestures for me to get in ahead of him.
It’s almost kind, but it’s still coming from Roman, so I’m wary.
“Thanks,” I mutter as I shuffle in. I take a seat at one end of the bench, and Roman takes one at the other. God, we must look ridiculous right now.
We fall into an awkward silence as the vehicle pulls out onto the road and speeds toward wherever Jill is. With a sigh, I move to put my earrings in. But as the limo takes a few bumps and turns, it’s increasingly difficult to actually get them in properly.
Blowing out an agitated breath, I try once more, and it still doesn’t work. I put my hands in my lap and look up at the ceiling. Stupid earrings.
“Do you need a hand?” Roman offers. Reflexively, I’m tempted to spew something sarcastic back at him, but I could actually use the help.
Even though I haven’t answered yet, Roman is up and moves to sit directly beside me.
The heat rolling off of his body makes me realize how cold I am in here.
I’m tempted to lean into him, but that would obviously be weird, so I refrain.
“Fine,” I admit, handing him the shining silver crescents.
Pulling my hair to the side, I turn toward him so he can place the earrings in.
I must have missed a few strands, because his fingertips softly trace the skin of my neck and pull more strands back.
His touch leaves goosebumps across my skin.
He quickly helps get each earring in and then says nothing of it. Instead, he moves away from me, back to his original seat.
There’s an awkwardness that hangs heavy in the air after the moment we shared. Why did he have to move away? I have no idea how the hell we’re ever supposed to make this work if we can’t even sit beside each other.
Before I get the chance to break the silence, the limo pulls to a stop, and the door pulls back to a smiling Jill.
“Hey, you two!” Jill hops in quickly and sits in the space between me and Roman, oblivious to the awkwardness, or simply steamrolling past it. “Clover, you look beautiful!” Jill takes in my dress and whacks Roman on the arm. “Tell me you told her she looks beautiful.”
Roman clears his throat. “You look beautiful tonight, Clover.”
Jill groans. “Oh my God, Roman, would it kill you to ever give a lady a compliment?”
“Can’t have it going to her head,” he grumbles.