Page 21 of Yours to Conquer

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The last two weeks have passed in a flash. I can’t believe how perfect the new job has been for me. I am the voice of Ahz. I have done a few press conferences for upcoming events. I’m organizing commercials and print ads to showcase the booked bands, and I’ve been working incredibly hard to pull off a short-notice prom. Although Anthony wantedmeto have a prom, I can only think of him as I’m choosing everything.

Tomorrow’s the Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival, but today is lunch and shopping with the girls. Well, Trevor and Kat—close enough. We agree to meet out front at noon. I’m the first to show up. While I’m waiting, I pull out my phone and text Anthony.

Hey, just getting ready to head out to lunch and go shopping. I’m buying a dress for tomorrow. Do you have requests?

Hmm, if we were alone, I’d say no dress needed. Since we’ll be amongst thousands of my closest friends, I think a nun’s habit might be best. Stay away from the margaritas.

No drinks for me today. I don’t think there’s a big demand for a habit, but I’ll see what I can come up with. I love you and miss you.

I love you, too. See you tonight, baby.

I put my phone in my pocket and look up just in time to see Trevor and Kat approach.

“Let’s have sushi for lunch,” Trevor says as he bounces down the sidewalk toward me.

“I’m good with whatever,” Kat and I say at the same time. We look at each other and laugh.

“You guys are like twins separated before conception. Let’s go. We have to eat before you girls kill me with a marathon day of shopping. I’m thinking something like thePretty Womandress at the polo match,” Trevor says as he looks at me. I know he’s referring to the chic brown polka dot dress that Julia Roberts wore in the movie.

“I don’t think I can pull off thePretty Womanlook, although I like the idea of a light summer dress. We’ll hold the event inside, but there will be thousands of people. I imagine it will be hot and stuffy. What are you wearing, Kat?”

“I have no idea. I hope to find a cute skirt and blouse today.”

We stop at Roko Sushi, where we grab a quick lunch before heading to Nordstrom. If you can’t find it at Nordy’s, you won’t be able to find it anywhere. Trevor goes right to work, setting up dressing rooms for both of us. Like a personal shopper, he runs through the racks as if he works in the store. He chooses several things for us, then directs us to our respective dressing rooms before sitting in a chair as if he were Rachel Zoe. If he weren’t such a fabulous marketing manager, he could make a go as a fashion consultant.

I step out in the first dress he chose for me. It’s a red shift dress. I barely get out of the dressing room before Trevor frowns and sends me back to change. This dress looks like a paper sack.

I try the green one next. It’s adorable with a fifty’s flair to it. It’s a Basque cut with a cinched waist and full skirt, and the bodice is a conservative scoop neck. It’s not a habit, but it’s sexy in a traditionalway. I step into the nude heels and make my way out of the dressing room to see the critic. As soon as I emerge, I watch Trevor sit up straight and smile. He rises to his feet and heads toward me. With his hands on his hips, he walks a complete circle around, checking me from every angle. If I didn’t know he was a gay man, I’d have been uncomfortable under his gaze.

“Oh, Em, it’s the perfect dress. I love everything about it.” Kat stands in front of me, wearing the cutest little pleated, ice-blue skirt and sweater set. It’s adorable and fits her personality perfectly. It’s short and sexy but sweet and innocent at the same time.

“I love what you’re wearing as well. I think that would be perfect. It’s such a great color for you,” I say.

Trevor is standing back with the look of a proud parent on his face. He leans against the wall, arms crossed in front of his chest as if he’s saying, “I told you so.”

“Okay, ladies, get changed. We need to accessorize.”

Trevor is an accessory diva. That poor man was born in the wrong body and would’ve made an excellent girl.

We head to the costume jewelry department and try on just about every piece of jewelry available before deciding on the pieces we like. Trevor says that jewelry is like the icing on the cake. You don’t buy a cake because it’s a cake; you buy it because it looks good.

“Has Roxy called you yet?” Trevor asks. He holds a pair of enormous gold hoop earrings beside my ears.

“Those are entirely too big,” I say.

“You know what they say: the bigger the O, the bigger the ho.” He puts the enormous hoops back on the rack. “So has she called or not?”

“Yes. She called me during the week, and we had a pleasant chat. I’m meeting her at the house on Sunday. So far, she seems cool.”

“I think you’ll like her. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before,” he says.

“I’m looking forward to it. I need to get someone in the house. It’s not good to have your house empty for too long. I worry about someone breaking in because they think it’s vacant. It’s a decent neighborhood, but it’s not Bel-Air.”

“Let me know how it goes. Chris and my reputation are on the line if you don’t like her.”

“I’m still not happy about being replaced,” Kat pipes in, “but you’re right about leaving the house vacant. I’ll get over there soon to finish cleaning out my closet.”

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