Page 59 of And Then Came You

“It’s obvious. What are you, blind?”

I shrug, dumping out the contents of the bags. “These past couple of days have been surreal, in the best possible way. But then, I remember what happened in Montauk—”

“What happened in Montauk?” Ramona interjects, her brows raised with anticipation.

Crap. I didn’t actually mention Montauk to anyonebutCaroline. Hell, I even played it off as nothing to Sam, and he was a participating party. “Nothing.”

“I know bullshit when I hear it. You can’t leave me hanging like that.”

“He kissed me, and then spent the night with Almira, his lady of the moment. A lovely woman, to be sure.”

She winces at my words. “Is he still with her?”

I shake my head. “He says he’s fallen for someone. Hard.”

Ramona clutches my upper arms, her face beaming. “He meansyou.”

“I thought he meantmein Montauk, but look how that played out. I’m keeping my guard up, no matter how gorgeous and sweet he’s been lately.”

“I give you credit. I couldn’t hold out against Sam’s ministrations.”

“It sure isn’t easy.” Holding up one dress, I note how the deep blue color plays off my light skin and dark hair. “Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Yes, but it’s about time you dazzled the world with something other than your words.”

* * *

Iwalk into the dinner a couple of hours later, certain that I’m way overdressed and about to make a total fool of myself.

I have to hand it to Ramona, she’s a genius with hair and makeup. She should open a high-priced salon and stop all this assistant nonsense, chasing me and other authors around the country.

Best not to mention that fact to her. I’d be lost without the woman.

Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I note how the fabric hugs my curves without clinging to them; the lights reflecting off the dress and solitaire pendant around my neck. She tamed my voluminous hair into an upsweep, with a few curls drifting around my face, and my eyes look absolutely huge and luminous without my glasses.

A few murmurs sound to my left, and I turn my head, noting a group of women nodding in my direction. Beautiful, one woman mouths to me and I smile, feeling a bit of my self-esteem return.

Then I spy Sam, standing across the room, his gaze locked on me. Score one for the man of the hour. He’s blown my theory about men into the next stratosphere. His dark suit hugs his broad chest and arms, the pants doing little to disguise the infamous bulge in his pants.

I know, without looking, that every tongue in the place is wagging after him.

Lucky for me, I don’t have to stand in line for his time.

Strolling across the room, I beam up at him, momentarily in awe of his beauty.

“Wow. You look wonderful.”

“Thank you.”

I suppose it’s common courtesy to reciprocate, but I’m fully aware I look nothing like the women Sam dates, even if he complimented my curves earlier today. In some odd way, there’s a raw truth in his silence, even if it’s bruising to the ego. So much for the two plus hours spent on hair and makeup.

Biting my lip, I move on in the conversation. “They did an amazing job decorating, didn’t they? I imagine this must be what the Gatsby house looked like.”

“I’m trying to find the right word.”

“For the decorations? I think they’re considered Art Deco.”

Sam smiles, letting his fingers drift down my arm. “How beautiful you look tonight, Lexi, but that’s not nearly a good enough word.”

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