Chapter 19
Viv stared at her reflection, wondering if she was cut out for this. There weren’t many occasions where she was asked to attend in formal wear, but of the few, she’d experienced a great sense of dread.
And this was why. Dress-shopping, for her, didn’t come without mass doses of anxiety, frustration, and ultimate disappointment.
“How does it fit?”
Viv recognized Camila’s voice from the other side of the stall. She was the personal chef who married Duke’s brother, James.
“I might…need another size. I don’t know.”
“I definitely do,” Betzy said from a distant dressing room.
Betzy Benton—well, Kingsley now that she’d married Sawyer—had come up with the idea to dress-shop for the gala while the men got measured for tux alterations.
Something they apparently did often to ensure the best fit no matter their size/fluctuation. No wonder they always looked perfect.
“Ready or not, time for the reveal,” Kat said. She was the one who married Duke’s twin, Zander, on live TV.
The echo of tiny clicks and clanks sounded in the small space followed by the repeated creak of dressing room doors opening one by one.
Viv gripped the knob, gave it a twist, and felt her shoulders droop another notch at the idea of stepping out in the gown. It’d looked gorgeous on the wall. A-line cut, off the shoulder sleeve, layers of tulle and lace falling from a stunning waistline. Just…not so stunning on her.
“Oh, that’s a pretty one,” Betzy said.
“Yeah, but it looks like what I wore to the last one,” Camila replied.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” Kat admitted.
Viv creaked open her own door. “At least I’m not the only one.” She took one step out, and then another before glancing into the foyer where the other gals stood.
“That is a gorgeous dress,” Betzy declared.
Camila hurried over. “Yeah, but she does need a different size.”
“Totally,” Kat agreed. “And Betzy,” she continued, "I don’t know what you mean about needing a different size. That looks perfect.”
“Except that it’s unzipped in back.” She spun around to show.
Viv smiled as the women broke into laughter. They were an impressive group. Viv never had siblings, but she’d dreamed of having a sister. What would it be like to have three?
Camila spun before the mirror with a hand at her back. “Think if I exhale I’m going to bust a seam in this thing.”
“Well, well, well,” came a new voice in the mix. “If it isn’t the Benton family.” From a far corner in the dressing area came a tall, curvy blonde in a bright red dress. “Betzy, do you remember me?”
Betzy gave the woman a smile. “Of course. It’s nice to see you, Sylvia.”
Viv recognized her too. And she had to disagree; it wasn’t nice to see her at all. Small knots of heat formed low in her gut at the mere sight of her.
“I heard you’re going to be announcing at the gala with Duke,” Betzy continued.
The woman rolled her eyes and waved a hand in the air. “Yes, but the man refuses to take me as his date. Maybe you guys can talk some sense into him.” She walked toward the group, leaning in as if ready to conspire, and spoke under her breath.
“He’s been aloof about the woman he’s taking. I’m about ready to find out who she is and pay my evil stepmother to lock her in a chamber so I can go with him instead.” The woman burst out in a villainous laugh.
“Ah, you’re funny,” Camila said.
Betzy locked wide eyes with Viv across the room, her what-in-the-world expression reminding her of one Duke might pull.
“Wait, you don’t know who he’s going with, do you?” the woman asked.
Kat, who stood the closest, shot Viv a questioning look.
Viv’s heart spiked. She and Duke weren’t exactly keeping secrets about their dating life, but they weren’t advertising their relationship either.
“Are you his date?” the blonde blurted. “Oh my gosh! I’m so embarrassed.” She hurried over to her, reached out as she neared, and took Viv’s hands in hers.
The heated knots in her gut swelled. Viv glanced down before looking into the face of Sylvia Sampson, the cruel woman Duke took to the prom instead of her.
“I was just kidding, of course. I’m so happy for you. How long have you been dating Duke? Is this the dress you’re wearing? It should be.”
The lack of sincerity in the woman’s words and tone caught Viv off guard. She wasn’t sure which of the questions she should address first.
“Um,” she mumbled while freeing her hands. “Yes, I’m the one he’s taking. Yes, we’re dating. And I’d prefer you didn’t hire anyone to lock me in a dungeon on the night of the gala, if that’s okay.”
The group of women laughed, but Sylvia outdid them all by pressing a hand to her chest and throwing her head back. “Ah, ha, ha. I was only kidding. Kind of.” She laughed some more before taking a step back and eyeing Viv up and down.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
A flare of heat flashed over her cheeks. “I’m, uh, Vivia. Tripoli.”
Sylvia narrowed her eyes as recognition seemed to spark. “You’re the one he dated freshman year.” She said it like she’d just cracked a case, nodding as the fact seemed to sink in.
Viv nodded and gulped. “Yes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more dresses to try on.” She spun on one heel, ready to bolt for her dressing room, when Sylvia spoke up once more.
“Oh, does that mean you’re not going to wear that one? You should. It’s so…” Sylvia tapped a finger to her lip, “…cute.”
If Viv could shrink into the plush carpet at her feet, she would.
“She could always let Duke give his two cents,” Betzy said, moving to stand closer to Viv. “But he’s crazy about her no matter what she wears. You should hear him go on and on about how amazing she is. That’s what’s cute.”
“Totally,” Camila agreed before turning to Kat. “I was thinking with this dress…”
Betzy looped an arm around Viv’s and nodded to the rooms. “I’m going to have Lilly grab you a size smaller and me a size bigger. We’ll see how that goes. Sound good?”
And just like that, the Benton girls had dismissed Sylvia. Politely, of course. But they’d dismissed her all the same.
Viv lifted her shoulders as they headed back toward the rooms, replaying the incident in her mind. She appreciated the way Betzy had stepped in. It was a satisfying end to the awkward conversation, but something kept pressing at the back of her mind.
Maybe it was the look in Sylvia’s narrowed eyes, or the odd desperation she sensed in her. Whatever it was, it felt like a warning. One Viv wouldn’t shake off easily.
Still, she tried as the day went on. It turned out Camila was right; one size smaller of that same champagne-colored gown proved to be the perfect choice. Yet, even as the women met up with the guys for a bite to eat at the country club, Sylvia’s menacing glare sat somewhere in her periphery.
One moment, Viv was throwing her head back in laughter at James’ impersonation of Duke when he had to cut off his man bun, the next she was fighting off worries about what the mean woman was capable of.
Turned out, Duke noticed as well.
“What’s bothering you?” he asked, one hand holding hers, the other draped over the wheel.
Viv watched the shadows play across the quiet road as they approached her home. She shook her head in frustration; normally, she had a great time with Duke and all of his siblings. They were a lot of fun to be around.
“I just don’t like how Sylvia acted at the boutique,” she admitted.
“It freaks me out knowing that she’s going to be at the gala, announcing with you on live stream.
” She shrugged, knowing she probably seemed paranoid.
“I’m sure I just have a form of post traumatic stress where she’s concerned. It all just feels…”
Duke brought the car to a stop out front of her house as she searched for the right word.
“Familiar, I guess. Not in a good way, either.”
With the car in park, Duke unfastened his belt and turned to face her in the cramped space. “I know what you mean.” He grabbed her other hand, brought both to his lips one by one, and planted kisses to each of her palms.
“But you’re the one I’m going to be there with. Yes, I have a six-minute obligation to stand by her side, read a few lines about my grandfather and the scholarship, but that’s it.”
The streetlamp, blocked by the roof of the car, didn’t quite reach his face. Perhaps if it did, his words would have given her more peace.
She reached up, traced her hand along his strong, angled jaw, and willed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Duke had a way of putting her at ease. Always. So why did tonight have to feel so different?
“Have you sent the article in yet?” he asked then. “I know that’s been nagging at you.”
Yes, it had. But not because she wasn’t happy with the interview. In truth, Viv felt it was one of the best she’d written. It contained raw insight to the man Duke was when no one was watching. And hidden pieces that revealed his actions while in the spotlight too.
“I’m about to hit send on it,” she said. “I don’t know why, but I don’t like sending out a piece before I leave the house. It makes me wonder—the whole time I’m gone—if the agency or editor has written me back. I can get kind of anxious about it.”
She traced her thumb over Duke’s well-defined lips as she mused some more. “You know, I wondered if I’d feel conflicted about the interview, seeing that we started dating in the middle of it all, but I never did. It’s what allowed me to see who you really are…”
Stirs of heat rushed into her center as she contemplated the words coming from her heart. Her next breath came out broken and hitched. Duke had told her not long ago that he was falling in love with her. That had taken bravery on his part. Honesty too.
“It’s what made me fall in love with you,” she confessed, her heart beating to near madness now.
A smile crossed his lips, a wide one she could not only feel along his cheeks but also see as her sight adjusted to the shadows.
He surprised her by pumping a fist and giving out a cheer. “Woo hoo! Vivia loves me!”
Viv couldn’t stop the genuine laughter that pulled at her throat. She shook her head as he proceeded to roll down the window and give out another cheer. “Woo hoo! Yes! She loves me.”
He settled back into his seat, a slight breeze whooshing in as he did, and turned that triumphant grin back on her.
Viv folded her arms and gave him the expectant lift of one brow.
“Oh,” Duke blurted. “I love you, Vivi. I’m not sure I ever stopped loving you. I’m crazy about you.” He rushed in and pressed a kiss to her lips. And then another, mumbling between each touch.
“I…” A short pause and a kiss.
“Love…” More pausing, more kissing.
“Really really really love…” he added before giving her another kiss.
“You.” That one came out in a whisper. This time, Duke tilted his head and reminded her of how good those kisses could be. Slow, sensual, strong. A measured passion behind each touch and taste that confirmed what he’d said.
By the time Duke walked her to the door and kissed her goodnight once again, Viv was floating on a layer of clouds.
With the kids staying at her parents for the night, she kept her focus on that heavenly exchange while brushing her teeth, changing into her nightshirt, and finally, sitting down to her laptop at last.
After one final read through, Viv reread the email she’d attached to the article.
Riley, thank you for the opportunity to interview yet another fascinating subject.
It was a true pleasure getting further acquainted with Duke Benton and, as always, a pleasure working with Slipper Magazine as well.
Sincerely, Verit?.
Vivia Tripoli
Viv moved the curser to the send button and gave the mouse pad a satisfied click. A swoosh followed, and Viv let out a sigh.
Perfect.
The feature would hit both virtual and physical magazine stands alike on the day after the gala. Which would be nice. There had been three outside milestones connected to her relationship with Duke. Milestones she looked forward to having behind them.
First was getting the article finished and sent in. Check.
Second was attending the gala—an event she should look forward to rather than dread, but Viv didn’t know how. All she wanted to do was check that night off her list and move forward.
Third was the anticipated release of Slipper’s upcoming issue.
Come next week, all of those hovering events would fall by the wayside, allowing the two of them to pursue their relationship in peace.
Viv closed her laptop and let out another dreamy sigh. She had yet to wipe the grin off her face after her moment outside with Duke. Already she was replaying the way he’d rolled down the window and let out a cheer. He loved her. And she loved him.
She guessed it didn’t matter what trick Sylvia tried to hide up her sleeve. Come next week, the gala would be a thing of the past. Sylvia would go on her merry way, and Viv and Duke wouldn’t hear another word about her.
Viv repeated those very words as she settled into bed and flicked off the lamp. Soon enough, Sylvia would be nothing more than a piece of her past.