Page 81 of With Us

“Hey Ben. How are you?”

“Good, you?”

“Good. Surprised, but good.”

“Didn’t Theo tell you?” Rosa asked, pausing from digging through the bags.

“No, he just texted saying you were on your way and it’d slipped his mind.”

She rolled her eyes. “I tried to tell him I should just message you. Anyway, he said you need a dress for the gala on Friday. Since you work all day, and he wasn’t a fan of giving up his nights with you, he asked me to see what I could find.”

“You didn’t have to do that. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. But it’s not in your job—”

Rosa waved her hand around. “Trust me, I donotmind. I got paid to shop, which is something I love. Plus, when I get back into the office, everyone will be kissing the ground I walk on. Sometimes a day away is just what everyone needs to appreciate all I do.” Rosa’s pretty face was flushed with excitement. “Anyway, I got an assortment of different styles. If nothing is right, I’ll try again tomorrow. This time I’m telling you I may be showing up again, since Theo can’t be trusted.”

I nodded, but she wasn’t paying attention.

Instead, she was unzipping garment bags and pulling things out.

“And that’s my cue to leave,” Ben said, setting down the last bag. “Have a good night, Miss Kincaid. Rosa, text me when you’re finished.” With another polite smile, he left.

“Okay, let’s get started.” Rosa handed me some fabric.

Super soft and thin, the tiny panties and strapless bra were plain but still sexy.

I went into my cramped bathroom and changed quickly, almost falling into the toilet. When I opened the door and stuck my head out, Rosa was standing close with a dress.

“Thanks,” I said, taking it. “If I try to change in there, I’m going to end up giving myself a swirly. Can you turn around?”

She spun away. “I like this one, it’s sexy but understated.”

The black dress was strapless, gathering under my breasts and falling in a loose skirt. It was pretty, but plain.

“Too understated,” she said, echoing my feelings. Going back to where the dresses were hanging on the fridge, she pulled down another one. “Let’s try this.”

I pulled the next black dress on, nearly getting tangled in the web of straps. This one had a plunging neckline and a high slit up both sides.

Rosa tapped her lip. “Too busy?”

I nodded. “I feel like I’m caught in a spider web.”

Her heels clicked across my apartment as she grabbed another one. “I’m not sure if this is too ‘prom princess’, but I think the black is clashing too much with your coloring.”

Medium pink with a haltered top, the dress had a plunging neckandback. It was insanely pretty, but the extra layers of skirt made it very floofy.

“I feel like I’m being swallowed in cotton candy fabric,” I said, happily stripping it off.

“You look like it, too. The coloring was better, though.” She tilted her head back and forth, humming as she scanned the dresses. “I think I’ve got it.” Grabbing a paler pink one, she passed it over. “There’s a tailor down the block, so if it needs to be altered, we can meet there tomorrow after you get off. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go back on the hunt tomorrow with a better idea.”

“You really—”

“Trust me. I grab some coffee, a delicious lunch, and go nuts with the boss’ credit card. There arefarworse ways to spend the day.”

“How long have you known Theo?” I asked, hoping my question came out as friendly and curious, not nosy or jealous.

She was gorgeous, and maybe I was naïve to not be skeptical. But I’d never been given a reason to be suspicious, and I doubted a man would send his lover, past or secret, to buy clothes for his girlfriend. And I really doubted the lover would bring such high-quality clothes. I was thinking the taffeta nightmare from the thrift shop would be more the style.

“My whole life,” she said, her answer muffled as I pulled the dress on.

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