Chapter 34

Rainey

After the week I had, the phone call with Michael changed everything. We were somewhat back on track, and it wasn’t that awkward for us at the moment. Admittedly, the charity had something to do with that. This was Michael’s most important event of the year, and I doubted even a strange relationship like ours would get in the way of that. In fact, our working relationship was stronger. We were able to find each other's strengths and made up for the weaknesses of the other. I’d had a feeling that I wasn’t Michael’s first choice, but I made a point to prove that he’d made the right decision and not because I was willing to sleep with him.

I thought that feeling had passed, but I was so wrong. With the almost-kiss the other day, my feelings for him had ignited again. But this time I kept them to myself. If anything was going to happen, it would have to be after the event. My need to prove myself at work outweighed any emotional feelings or physical stirrings I had for him.

And those only intensified when Michael called me and asked me to be his date tomorrow. We’d said goodbye to each other less than an hour ago, so that meant he was thinking of me outside of the office. And enough that he wanted me officially by his side for the event.

After hanging up with Michael, I did a little happy dance in the middle of my kitchen. Tanner was already asleep, so I had to do something to let the energy out of me. My rational side had a feeling Michael asking me out was a formality, but it still felt good to be wanted. And I would be able to pick out a killer dress, for free!

I told him that I hadn’t been shopping yet, but the truth was I couldn’t find anything nice enough in my budget. But now, I had the opposite problem. How much was I going to spend? I couldn’t go overboard, but this was a big charity night. The guest list was filled with important people, and I had to look the part. Especially if I was going as Michael’s date. I was sure his tuxedo cost more than renting my apartment, that is, if I paid rent, so it would be prudent of me to match that.

Mom watched Tanner way past her bedtime, so I called Tessa instead, needing to share the good news with someone. I had to make sure I’d made the right decision by accepting his money for my dress. Something about that transaction made me a little wary.

“You’re up late,” Tessa said when she picked up.

“I just got home from work.”

“Wow, late hours?”

I heard the innuendo in her voice. “We have a charity event tomorrow night. The one that I’m running?”

“Oh yeah,” she said. “Are you ready for your big fancy event?”

“I think so. But that’s not the reason I called.”

“I was waiting for you to get to the point,” she said with a teasing tone. “You never call me this late unless it was important.”

“Michael asked me to the event as his date.”

“Whoa, what did you say?”

I shrugged. “I’m going as a coordinator, so it only made sense.”

“And?”

Tessa always knew when there was an “and” or “but” even before I said it. “And he said he’d buy me my dress.”

There was a pause, and I imagined seeing Tessa’s jaw dropping. She had been obsessed with Michael’s status and income since I started working for him. Numerous times she’d asked me if I got my own clothing allowance. I had no idea where she got that idea, but I continually told her no.

“Are you serious?” she finally asked.

I chewed on one of my fingernails. “Yes.”

“That’s awesome. How much can you spend?”

“As much as I want.”

“Have you picked it out yet? Can I come with you? I’ve always wanted to go shopping in some crazy expensive boutique in the City.”

“I haven’t. But by accepting, I feel a little like a paid escort.”

“Oh my god, Rainey. Are you serious? This is a work function. He probably wants to make sure you look fabulous.”

That is what Michael had said, somewhat.

“Take this as a gift and be sure to throw in some shoes and fantastic jewelry. The more sparkle, the better. Honestly, I don’t think he’ll care. I bet he throws away more money on less important things.”

I laughed nervously. How did I know I was doing the right thing? Michael insisted on paying for everything but a dress seemed like a lot. Usually, it was food or picking up supplies for the office. But I couldn’t return a dress when I was done with it. It would fit me, and I’d be able to keep it. Was that going too far?

“Rainey,” Tessa said. “Take a chance here. You’re a smart woman. I’m sure the dress is only for the event, but if he takes it further, you can always bail again. Don’t let your screwed up past with Killian hinder you from having what you want. What you deserve.”

“And what’s that?”

“A good man who loves you. That’s all any of us want, right?”

From my track record, it was apparent that I didn’t know much about love. And as for Michael, I didn’t know how he could either. He lost the love of his life. Could it happen again for him? Or would every woman pale in comparison to Cynthia? And why did I care so much?

“It is,” I said, not wanting to keep Tessa on the phone for too much longer. I was starting to fade, and I had a busy day tomorrow.

“What are you doing in the morning?” I asked.

“Obviously clearing my schedule so I can go shopping with you!”

I laughed and this time relief shone through my nervousness. This was going to be good. Everything would go off without a hitch and Michael would have enough faith in me to run the event next year.

As I went through my nighttime routine, my tiredness turned into excited energy, and I was more awake than I had been when I arrived home. I looked forward to some one-on-one time with Tessa tomorrow while getting all glammed up for the event. I headed to my old as dirt laptop and opened it. I wanted to be prepared for tomorrow so I wouldn’t waste a lot of time picking out my dress.

I spent the next half-hour, researching several boutiques and jotting down their information so we’d be able to get started right when they opened tomorrow. Several of them required appointments, and I crossed those off my list. I doubted they had openings available and I didn’t have time to be on the phone all day with them tomorrow. Besides, I wasn’t going to use Michael’s money frivolously to make an appointment. I wanted to use the budget wisely, and that was for a dress only.

After some searching, I decided to start off at Bloomingdale’s with a personal shopper. Being in a department store would make me so much more comfortable than going to a boutique. While I regularly shopped the clearance rack at department stores, I felt giddy to be able to choose from anything on the rack.

Then I opened another browser to research why types of dresses fit my hair color and body type. I haven’t gone to an event like this or even a wedding in a while. I knew I needed to make a statement, showing off Michael’s company and him as a person. I saved a few images and emailed them to my phone. At least I felt somewhat prepared after waiting until last minute. That was usually the case for me. I thought about everyone else and their needs and rarely took the time to figure out my own.

After making the decision on the store and setting aside several options, I laid on my bed and snuggled under the covers. It was close to eleven by the time I settled down. I drifted off to sleep with the biggest smile on my face, thinking of what an amazing time Michael and I would have tomorrow night raising money for the kids who needed it most.