I placed the box on the bed and delicately lifted the dress up, letting it unfold naturally. My eyes roamed over the gown as it came to life but was stopped when a card I must’ve missed in the box fell onto the floor.
I picked it up and read it aloud. “For you. Wear it to the ceremony.”
My cheeks burned like I was out in the sun too long as I beamed at the beauty. It was the nicest—and possibly most extravagant—thing anyone had ever done for me.
Laughing, I shook my head and laid the dress out on the bed. Boy, was I right, he was bossy. He even bought a dress and ordered me to wear it.
Not that I wouldn’t.
It would’ve been some sort of crime.
There was a cutout in the front, but no plunging neckline. Instead, it went into a bodice that was sculpted like a corset. I even had the perfect shoes packed that I could wear with this.
But it was too much.
I lunged forward and grabbed my phone, typing Red a message.
Jade:It’s beautiful, Red. I can’t accept it, though.
Reddington:Did you not read the card? It’s yours. Plus, it’s rude not to accept a gift. Have some manners.
Unbelievable. I tried to be nice, and this was what happened.
Jade:You had no right to gift it to me, asshat.
Reddington:I saw it and thought of you. I want you to have it. It deserves to be on your body.
Sometimes he knew just what to say, and it made my heart clench in my chest. Yes, I had one of those. It might have been cracked, but it still beat, reminding me it was in there.
Jade:I’ve never received a gift like this before.
Reddington:That’s a shame because if you were my girl, this is exactly how it’d be.
My palms grew sweaty, and my breath hitched.
Jade:I don’t need material things. That’s not what makes me happy.
Reddington:I know.
Jade:If it means that much to you, I’ll wear it.
Reddington:Good.
Jade:Red?
Reddington:Yeah?
What did I say? My fingers typed faster than my brain thought, and whatever I was going to say wasn’t a good idea. This was all fake. I couldn’t forget that.
Thank the heavens it was ending soon because at times like this, it was easy to see blurred lines when I thought about our situation. Another reason I was happy not to be his assistant anymore.
He’d get his investment, and I’d make a clean break.
Jade:If Lyons Enterprises doesn’t work out, you should consider being a date for hire. Women would kill to be treated like royalty.
Reddington:I already have my first reference.
Chapter Twenty-Two