Amina

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I was barely recovering from the huge moment of signing with Beats and Blast when Violet was dragging me somewhere else.

"I'm doing what?" I asked, alternating between staring at her and staring at the beautiful stretch of Beverly Hills outside the car window.

"Performing at a gala." She shot me a look. Was she as nervous as I was? "Bach thinks it's what will propel you forward. Get everyone chatting about you."

"Sure. They'll be talking about how I wasn't ready to do this."

She snorted dryly. "Stay positive. Most of the trick is acting like you're confident."

Touching my forehead, I massaged the tender spot where Bach had slammed into me. It wasn't visible on the outside, but the bruise went deep into my psyche. "Confident. Right." Did he really think I could do this? Maybe he was just crazy.

But what other choice was there than to try?

The building we pulled up to was gorgeous; the outside all black and silver. Wide windows showed off dresses and jeans and a number of other sharp outfits. At least I'll look good when I go down in flames.

Violet parked at a meter, motioning me to follow her. She was always a little edgy, but right then, she was all spines. I realized Bach was putting her patience to the test as much as mine.

The bell over the door jingled. The LA heat vanished, a comfortable coolness welcoming us into the store. Looking side to side, I studied the place with mounting excitement. It wasn't enough to bury the prickly part of me that was terrified of performing tonight, but... it would do.

I'm going to get to wear something really great, I thought, smiling. I'd watched those Dress for Success reality shows, and they always wowed me with their results. Could someone take my "whatever clean clothes are on hand" look and transform it into something worth talking about?

You need a makeover.

Bach's calculating comment drilled into my mind. Remembering how he'd torn me down without hesitance took the fun out of this trip.

"Can I help you?" someone asked. The woman was wearing a gorgeous dress. It flowed on the hem, the top tight and figure forming in a way that drew attention. The color popped; bright cherries and apricot yellows. It was fantastic, even if it wasn't something I'd ever wear.

Whoever this designer is, she's got guts. I liked that. I was stoked to meet someone with so much pow!

“Hi there,” she said, extending a manicured hand my way. “I'm Alexis, the designer here. I’m sorry to say I don’t have much time to show anyone around, I’ve got an appointment arriving soon."

"Ah ha, about that.” I shook her hand and grinned sheepishly. “I’m Amina.”

"Oh!" She looked at Violet, then disengaged from me so she could grip the other woman’s palm. "We spoke on the phone?"

"Correct," Violet chuckled. "Sorry for the short notice. Mr. Devine is a little... spontaneous."

Alexis smiled, biting back a laugh. "I know the type. Come on, let's get started. It sounds like we’re under the gun here.” Thumbing the racks, she walked while we followed. "Is there a theme for the gala?"

"All that Glitters," Violet said. “It's a fundraiser for some local museums.”

“Well, glitter might be a little too on the nose...” she trailed off as she pushed through a section of hangers. I couldn't tell what was inside of them because the plastic was opaque. But Alexis seemed to know; she moved through them quickly, shaking her head as she went down the line. “Violet said you’re singing at this event, right, Amina? Are you a musician?”

“I guess,” I said, uncomfortable with the question.

Violet nudged me. “Confidence.”

It was one thing to tell someone to be confident, and another thing entirely to actually feel it.

“What kind of music do you play?” Alexis asked.

“I do mostly acoustic work. Just stuff that I write as it comes to me.”

“She's very indie,” Violet added.

Alexis nodded thoughtfully. Her fingers tightened on a hanger as she brought it towards me. “Try this on and see how it suits you. The fit might be off, but I can fix that quick.”

I’d been excited when I first entered the building. That had waned the longer I stood among the racks of gorgeous dresses. I felt out of place. These outfits weren’t for me, they were for rich people, or celebrities. People who could describe their talents with ease because they’d done it a million times for their adoring fans.

I was positive that the outfit under the plastic that Alexis handed me wasn't going to look right. How could it? No, none of this was my style. I was a torn jeans and old shirt kind of girl. If it was clean that was good enough for me.

For a moment, I closed my eyes and remembered something. A flash of hot lights in a sound booth. Cameras blinding as I stood around, posing as I was told.

“Amina?”

I shook myself and gave Violet a reassuring smile. “Where’s the dressing room?” Alexis pointed, and I hurried off in that direction. Safe in the tiny room, I breathed out, then in, until my heart slowed. Get it together, I told myself. Even if this environment didn't suit me, I had to make it work. Anyway, it was just a dumb dress. I would put it on and say it looked fine even if I felt like a fraud and it.

Unzipping the plastic, I gawked at the sparkling purple and gold material. It wasn't a gown, it was cocktail dress designed to swish around my knees. Mature, but also fun. The neck was high, covering me all the way to the top. And it was soft under my fingers. Not at all the brittle texture I expected from sequins.

Alexis had made this? She really was an artist.

Probably more of one than I am.

Sucking in a breath, I slipped out of my clothing and pulled the dress over my head. Grunting, I stretched back until I could grip the zipper. It rippled up my spine, tickling the nape of my neck. Turning in place, I studied how the dress fit me in the floor-length mirror.

It was gorgeous. And it hugged me like a dream. Alexis thought it wouldn't fit me? She was dead wrong. She had an eye, that was for sure. I would never have picked something out like this for me, but seeing how it moved, how it shimmered under the lights, I was positive I would make quite the scene on a stage. It was perfect.

Bach wouldn't be able to take his eyes off of me.

Where did that come from? I wondered. Scolding myself, I adjusted the pleats on the bottom of the dress. I did look amazing, better than I ever had before. Stepping out of the dressing room I heard Violet and Alexis gasp. Violet had pushed her fingers to her lips, staring at me wide-eyed. Alexis was jumping in place gleefully.

“It's perfect on you,” Alexis said. “I just need to pin it in a couple spots and it will be flawless.”

“It’s already flawless,” I said with a nervous laugh.

Alexis shook her head. She was seeing mistakes that I never would. Violet spoke with her finger still pressed to her mouth. “If you look like that and sing half as well, everyone at the gala is going to lose their minds.”

I swelled with pride. But something she’d just said stuck with me. “Shit. I haven't practiced at all for this,” I whispered. “Violet, what song am I even going to sing?”

She clapped her hands, back to being all business. “Doesn't matter. Pick a song that you can nail, something you know by heart, and that will be enough. You're only going to get one anyway, with the lineup already arranged.”

Alexis came around, forcing my arms up as she began slipping pins into place along the dress’s seams. “Sounds like he really wants to show you off,” she said.

I bit my bottom lip. “Is this really as last minute as it sounds?” I asked.

“It’s 'call in all the favors' level of last minute, yes,” Violet answered.

Alexis helped me out of the dress, wrapping me in a sheet as she did so. She guided me to a sofa in the rear of the store. “Sit while I go finish this up. There’s snacks under that tray, and coffee in that carafe.”

I smiled appreciatively, but I had no appetite. Settling on the stiff blue cushions, I stared at Violet who perched on the opposite armrest. “Did you ask her how much it would cost to rent that dress?”

Violet blinked at me. “Rent?”

My jaw dropped, my voice cracking with a small laugh. “I’m not keeping it. It’s way too nice.”

“It’s extremely nice. And extremely yours.” She crossed her legs, kicking her red-heel side to side. “You don’t get it yet, do you? This is part of working for Beats and Blast.”

“Wearing fancy dresses and getting my hair done is part of my contract? I thought you told me I wouldn’t have to change who I was.”

Her mouth quirked in a dubious smile. “You like that dress, though.”

I shrugged awkwardly. “I did before I knew I was keeping it.”

“Amina, relax. Bach is paying for everything.”

“Well maybe that’s what bugs me,” I mumbled. “I don’t need special treatment. Or a nice house. Or a roommate who walks around half naked. I just need people to hear me sing.”

She’d started to play with her phone, but she froze midway, gawking at me. “Did you say naked?”

“I... said half naked. Half.”

Violet put her fingers to her temples. “My god. I’ll tell him to keep his clothes on while he has company over. That’s so like him, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I said, not sure if it really was. I didn’t know if I was explaining myself well. This was about Bach, but it was also about seeing so many gobs of money being thrown around just to rush me into the spotlight. Did people care if I owned an expensive dress if my voice was good?

Sitting in silence, my mind wandered back to a certain word... a certain moment.

Bach. Naked.

Jesus.

I’d assured her he wasn’t fully nude, but what did it matter? Those damn red briefs didn’t exactly hide much of his stellar body. My face began to burn; I sank deeper into the sofa, biting my thumbnail, trying to shake that sensation of attraction.

“Bach scares you,” Violet said suddenly.

I went stiff as I tried to think of how to explain myself. Violet watched me like a hawk. I wilted under her perceptive stare. No, I couldn't tell her that Bach didn't exactly scare me... he made my heart race in a way that worried me. An alluring, naughty, inappropriate emotion came over me when I thought about him.

Violet nodded to herself. “I'll keep him away from you tonight.”

“What?”

“I won't let him make you nervous when we're relying on you performing at a hundred percent at the gala.” Alexis was back with some papers that she handed over. “Ah, thanks. I'll pay your invoice right now. And sorry again for all this trouble.”

“No, no, thank you. It's fun to be challenged like this,” she said, then she smiled at me. “I'm sure you'll be amazing tonight, Amina.”

“If I fail, at least I'll look good because of your dress.”

She laughed like I was joking.

I wasn’t.