Her lips curve up. “No, angelic is one word I don’t associate with you.”
We study each other, smiling.
“Don’t take any notice of anyone else,” I say softly. “Our story is perfectly plausible.”
“I guess.”
“You don’t think so?” My gaze slides to her mouth. She’s so eminently kissable.
“I think you’re very sweet, but you don’t have any idea of how you appear to others. You’re such a big personality, Kingi, larger than life in every way possible. You’re like the sun—whenyou come into a room, you outshine everyone else. I’m just a comet shooting through your system. I’ll be gone in the blink of an eye, but you’ll still be there, blazing your way through the universe.” She tears her gaze away. “I should get going.”
“Not yet. I wanted to ask you about your ballgown.”
“Don’t worry,” she says. “Scarlett, Lisa, and Ria are taking me shopping on Monday. I rang the shop you suggested and booked an appointment for four p.m.”
“Good.” I nod with satisfaction. “Well, I hope you enjoy it, and have some fun.”
She swallows hard. “We’ll see.”
“One more thing—the guest list. The announcement of an engagement is a joint affair. I’d like you to invite your friends and family. It’s going to be a huge affair anyway, so a few more won’t make any difference to the numbers.”
She blinks. “I’ll think about it.”
“No, Chess, I want you to do it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t be cheeky.”
“Then don’t order me about. I told you I’d think about it, and I will.”
“Okay, well, when you’ve thought about it, give our Events Organizer a list of names and numbers and she’ll contact them with an invite.”
“No, it’s okay, I’ll do it myself.”
“Chess…”
“Stop bossing me about. I’ll speak to you later.” She softens her words by blowing me a kiss, then gets up and leaves the office.
Huffing a sigh, I finish off my coffee, then go back to my desk. I’ve got work to do, and this is all becoming too much of a distraction. Time to put it out of my mind and get stuck into the financial report that’s been sitting on the desk for several days.
Then I think of Chessie’s glassy green eyes and her light-pink, soft mouth, and groan as I sink into my chair. It’s like trying not to think of the number seven—an impossible task.
Chapter Twelve
Chessie
“Wow.” Ria’s eyes are nearly falling out of her head. “This one is five thousand dollars!”
“I don’t need any help feeling nervous.” My heart bangs on my ribs. None of the dresses hanging on racks in this shop are less than a thousand dollars. Most are over three thousand. And some of the more heavily beaded ones displayed on mannequins are close to ten.
The shop is in a mall, with a hair stylists on one side and a beauty spa on the other, and all three work together to produce a finished package for women who are going to posh events.
I’m here with Ria, Lisa, and Scarlett. When we first came into the shop, we were shown past the glittering gowns to a private nook with a squishy cream leather suite, where a bottle of champagne was waiting on ice for us. Scarlett is a little more used to this way of life now, and she spoke to Clara, the assistant, about what we were looking for, while the three of us nervously sipped our champagne and tried not to giggle.
Clara informed me that Kingi has instructed them to put my purchases on an account. He’s apparently told them to supply me with everything I need for the ball, including shoes and handbag, and I’m also to come here on Saturday, when they’ll do my hair and makeup for me. And there’s no limit to price. Eek!
She suggested we start by having a look through the gowns to see if anything appeals to me, and once she knows what kind of gown I’m interested in, she can suggest others I might like.