Page 72 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘If you get out your wallet, there’s no date tonight,’ Carmen warned.

‘It’s quite an event, Carmen. I would do this for all—’

‘Don’t say it,’ Carmen warned. ‘Just don’t. I shall see you tonight at...?’

‘Seven.’

‘Perfect.’

Elias left the arena.

Damn!

Now she had a date tonight, and a ball to get ready for tomorrow, and she’d declined his offer to skip work.

‘Dom,’ she growled, ‘what the hell am I supposed to do?’

She took out her phone, aching for advice.

Anna... Emily... She scrolled past their names.

Maria.

‘Hola, Mamá.’

‘Carmen! Cómo estás?’

Her mother asked how Carmen was, but didn’t wait for her answer.

‘I can’t talk for long...’

‘That’s okay. I just wanted to ask... You know those modern flamenco dresses...?’

‘I have just taken delivery of one now,’ Maria said excitedly. ‘It is silver. My designer is a magician. I was about to try it on when you called.’

‘Who is your designer?’ Carmen asked. ‘I might be going to a ball tomorrow and—’

‘Carmen, these dresses take weeks to make. And anyway, you don’t dance!’

‘I might try.’ She felt emboldened. ‘Emily took it up.’

‘Hmm...’

‘I don’t know what to wear to this ball.’

‘Well, with your figure, maybe not a flamenco dress. Those dresses are better on a woman with soft lines...very feminine, you know.’

How did happiness just squeeze out like air from a leaky old balloon whenever her mother was involved?

‘You’re in LA!’ Maria said. ‘Go shopping in Beverly Hills.’

‘I’m working.’

‘You don’thaveto work, Carmen. I must go. I’m very busy. You take care and I shall—’

‘We’ll speak soon,’ Carmen said, but hermamáhad already gone.

Carmen was tense, but in a very particular way. Her chest felt constricted, and she hadn’t felt that in a long time. Not since she’d arrived in America, in fact.

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