Page 49 of Dare to Love

She met his gaze, a stunned expression on her face followed by an appreciative smile.

His heartbeat sped up at the sight.

“Want to get dinner?” she asked, giving an invitation he hadn’t expected.

“Sounds like a plan. And since you’re willing to be seen with me, how about coming to the Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser with me on Saturday night?” Why not push when he had an opening? “The team donates to the cause, and my whole family attends.”

She narrowed her gaze. “It means a formal dress and heels, doesn’t it?” she asked on a groan.

He took that as a yes and grinned.

He knew damned well he’d been given a second chance and planned to make the most of it.

For him, this woman was the whole package. Intelligent, funny, and she warmed him in places that had long been cold. Not to mention she didn’t take his crap, which he admired; his money didn’t impress her, which told him if she was sticking around, there must be something more about him she liked.

A damned good thing, since he liked her too.

***

The last thing Riley expected was for Olivia to invite her to go shopping for a dress to wear on Saturday night. She suspected that Ian had put his sister up to it, but since Riley didn’t have anything except the red dress she’d worn the night she’d met Ian, and Olivia promised she had a place that would alter dresses quickly, Riley readily agreed. She also needed the distraction from her father’s message and the hang-ups that continued to haunt her at home.

They left work midday on Friday and headed to a boutique off Collins Avenue. Although Riley had window-shopped in the area once or twice, she couldn’t afford to buy anything here, but before she could mention her concern, Olivia whipped out a black credit card.

“Gotta love when my brother’s feeling generous,” she said with a grin.

“That’s great for you, but—”

“You think he’s doing this just for me?” Olivia paused in the middle of the sidewalk, causing people to stop short and swerve around them as they walked.

She raised her Chanel sunglasses and met Riley’s gaze. “This is for you. I’m just getting a side benefit. And before you argue with me, we’re here, so we’re going through with it.”

A warm, fuzzy feeling floated through her, but the objection came just as quickly. “I can’t accept—”

“Yes, you can. You aren’t denying me this. Come on.” Olivia grabbed Riley’s hand and pulled her out of the oppressive heat and into the cool, air-conditioned store.

Over the next hour, Riley saidI can’t accept thisso many times that it had become her mantra for the day, but Olivia assured her she had to or risk insulting Ian, who’d never gone out of his way for a woman who wasn’t in his family before. Olivia insisted that Riley meant something to her brother, and Riley wanted to believe her.

So in the end, although the money was never far from her mind, Riley did as Olivia instructed—she let go and enjoyed. How could she not, when Olivia was fun and happy and her attitude was contagious?

By the time they finished for the day, Riley owned a dress so high-end, she didn’t recognize the name of the designer; shoes so expensive, the bill could pay her rent for two months; and a Judith Leiber purse in the shape of peacock, glittering with brightly colored jewels.

Before they parted for the evening, Olivia informed her she’d be picking her up first thing in the morning for part two of their excursion.

“Part two?”

The other woman grinned, her eyes glittering with excitement. “It’s a surprise,” she insisted in that tone that told Riley no amount of prodding would get her to reveal what she planned.

After shopping, Riley arrived home, arms loaded with packages. Her dress would be delivered by four p.m. tomorrow. Her phone was ringing as she fumbled for her keys. She found them, unlocked her door, and ran inside, dropping the bags onto the couch.

She grabbed for the receiver. “Hello?” she asked, out of breath.

Click.

Whoever it was hung up on her. “Dammit!”

Her mouth ran dry. Before she could think about it, the phone rang again.

Riley answered it, yelling into the receiver. “I swear to God, if you don’t stop calling me, I’ll—”

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