Page 106 of One Wrong Move

It’s my assistant. “Hey,” I say. “Did you get the tickets?”

Harper is watching me, holding the puppy close to her. “Yes,” my assistant says. “They were surprised that you finally responded after all the invitations.”

“And you got two?”

“Yes,” she says.

I look at Harper. “Set up a few appointments with the department stores. I’ll also need something from the jewelers. Send me the catalog.”

Harper’s eyebrows rise. Oh la la, she mouths, still smiling.

“On it,” my assistant says. “Anything else?”

“Book a car for the night. I’ll be in the office soon,” I say and hang up.

Harper is giggling, trying to escape Stanley’s kisses. “You’re going somewhere extravagant?”

I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not. But we are. How do you feel about attending a movie premiere?”

Harper

I turn around in front of the mirror, watching as the emerald silk shines under the overhead lights. The dress hugs my body like a second skin down to my lower thighs, where it flares out in a subtle mermaid skirt. The strapless bodice fits over my breasts surprisingly well and cinches at the waist like only an amazingly designed corset could.

I’ve never worn anything this intricate. Never attended such a lavish event. Nate hadn’t been able to come with me to pick out the outfit, and I worried over whether I made the right decision or not, that is until the attendant told me in no uncertain terms that this was the one. It looks like a grown-up version of a fairytale dress.

Using his credit card that he gave me had been another thing to fret about.

But he had made the argument, and made it well, that it was only right for him to take care of the expenses. He invited me to this event because he didn’t want to go alone. You’re doing me a favor, he’d said.

So here I am, an hour before the premiere, standing in the bedroom that’s become my own. Strapped into a dress that cost a small fortune, with my makeup done and my hair in a sleek ponytail down my bare back. I straightened the curls out for the occasion.

I look at the mirror. “A movie premiere,” I say quietly and run my hands down my sides. Over the sleek fabric. “I can’t believe this is my life.”

“Talking to yourself, Harp?”

I glance over my shoulder. Nate is leaning against the doorframe to my bedroom, wearing a tux again. He looks good.

He always looks good in a tux, but now…

Seeing him makes me feel warm inside. I can’t look away from the snug fit at his shoulders and how he seems to be even taller in that garb.

“You’re admiring me,” he says, and his own eyes drop over my body in a slow sweep that makes my cheeks blush.

My throat feels tight. “So are you.”

“Oh,” he says, lips curving up, “I certainly am. And I won’t deny it. You’re gorgeous.”

I perform a tiny twirl. “Good choice of dress?”

“Fantastic. I’m just sad I couldn’t be there to watch you try the rest of them on.”

“Mm-hmm. Maybe it’s good that you weren’t,” I say. “This wasn’t exactly cheap.”

He snorts, like that doesn’t dignify a response, and comes closer. That’s when I realize he’s holding a navy box under his arm. “I have something else for you.”

“You do?”

“Yes. An accessory.” He holds up the box and unfastens the lock. Opens the lid facing in my direction…

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