Page 27 of (Un)Planned

But here, in this aged diner, we could pretend for a few minutes that we were so much more.

FOURTEEN

“This feels like too much.”

Devyn sighed as she looked in my full-length mirror. She tugged at the slit of her dress, trying to make the fabric pull closer together. I stared at my sister in disbelief, sure that she was not looking at the same reflection as me. With her long blonde hair swept to the side in elegant finger waves and her vintage-style maroon silk dress, she looked like a movie star ripped from the golden age of Hollywood.

Digging through my closet, I found two clutches, holding them up so Devyn could pick. As she pointed to the one on the right, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Growing up, some of my favorite memories were of helping my sisters dress up for special occasions, especially Devyn. While Laurel lived in dresses, she’d always leaned toward jeans and sweaters, favoring practical over pretty. She was still that way, especially because she was determined to make partner. It was rare that I caught her out of her power pantsuits. The temptation to break into her closet and burn them all was intense.

As she toyed with the bust line, I slapped her handaway, shaking my head at my phone propped up on the nightstand. Alex smirked at me on the screen, relaxing on her couch back home in Saint Stephen’s Lake. Even though he was out of the frame, I could tell Cole was sitting at her side, occasionally toying with the ends of her hair. It made my heart squeal to see my best friend so blissfully in love. I missed her more than anything, but I was proud we were both making strides in our new lives.

Well, more her than me, but I was getting there.

Most days, I felt like a rockstar, like I was crushing my job, but there were still moments when I was more like a hamster spinning in a wheel, trying to keep up with my boss' incessant demands.

However, something had shifted since our lunch earlier in the week. Theo was smiling more readily, letting me in a little more each day. During one of our late work nights, he ordered Chinese food and told me all about his early days in Hollywood while I talked about my grandfather and our adventures on the lake. Yesterday, he grabbed me a coffee on the way in, and we spent the morning trading music recommendations.

Seeing Theo let his walls down made it harder to maintain rigid professional lines between us. What I initially thought was only an attraction had developed into something so much more, a connection I was getting desperate to explore. And from the looks Theo kept giving me, he felt the same way.

Some nights, the tension was so thick between us that I could barely breathe in his presence. The only thing that kept me from crossing the line was that stupid freaking no-fraternization rule. I swore that if I ever met the person who put that in place, I’d give him a piece of my mind.

I shook my head, trying to focus on why we were goingout tonight. With award season in full swing, several industry parties were popping up around the city. Theo managed to get an invite to one of the biggest, hosted by a fashion magazine I’d studied since I was twelve. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I was dying to make the most of it.

When the invite first came, I assumed Theo would want to attend with the other senior agents. Instead, he only asked Jack and me to tag along. Theo claimed it was because he needed my support to make it through the evening, but I knew the truth. He wanted me there, wantedmeat his side, and that was the best feeling in the world.

Devyn flopped onto the bed, glaring at me. “Remind me why I need to tag along with you?”

Because I need a buffer so I don’t jump my boss’ bones.

I kept that thought in my head.

I sighed, running my fingers along my expertly curled strands. “Because Jack needs a plus-one, and I refuse to spend an evening stuck next to some stranger. This way, while the guys are off networking, we can dance and have a good time.”

Devyn rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I still don’t know why I couldn’t have worn something from my closet. I’m pretty sure this dress costs more than my car.”

“First of all, I refuse to let you attend one of the hottest events of the year in one of your work suits. I would rather swallow a handful of fire ants. And second—I told you, it’s on loan. Jack has a connection with a designer, so she lets us borrow dresses in exchange for some publicity. Besides, you look amazing.” I stared at the phone. “A little backup, please?”

“You do look gorgeous, Devyn.” Alex smiled at thescreen. “But I have to admit—I’m glad you found someone else to play dress-up with.”

“Hey!” I objected. “Tell me one time I made you look anything less than beautiful.”

“She doesn’t need to dress up to be beautiful,” Cole called from her side.

“Okay, if you’re going to start spouting that nauseating lovey-dovey stuff, I’m making Calla hang up,” Devyn groaned, running her hand through her styled hair. “I could be curled up in bed with my Kindle right now.“

“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “We both know you’d be at the dining room table scouring through your client’s financial records. You’ve been living at the office for the last week, Dev. Have some fun tonight. If anyone deserves to let loose a little, it's you.” She flatly stared at me as I wiggled my brows. “There’ll be an open bar.”

That got her up and moving. “Enough for me.”

Alex giggled at something Cole said. “I’ve, uh…gotta get going.”

“Seriously?” I smirked. “Can’t keep it in your pants for twenty minutes?”

“No can do,” she teased, her voice speeding up. “Okay, I gotta go. I love you!”

I shook my head as she ended the call, tossing the phone onto the bed. Glancing in the mirror, I smiled at my reflection, pleasantly surprised at how well my make-up was holding up. If I wasn’t already on cloud nine, Theo had arranged for a team of stylists to help Devyn and me get ready. It was one of the best days I’d had in a long time, getting to laugh with my sister as experts made us look our best.

Glancing over to my closet, I stared at the gown hanging against the door, covered in a plastic bag. The theme fortonight was the history of American fashion, and Devyn and I were determined to look the part. While Devyn was dressed like a siren from the Golden Age of Hollywood, I’d decided to go for more of a nineteen-twenties theme. The deep navy gown shimmered with dangling gems, making it sparkle with every step I took.

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