Page 51 of Use Me
Rhys: I’m on my way.
Ten minutes later, Rhys walked into my building. I was waiting in the lobby talking to Jose, one of the doormen. We had a few doormen who opened the door for us when we arrived or left, delivered packages if they arrived when we weren’t home, and screened visitors who they’d never seen before. It made me feel a little safer knowing we had someone watching the front doors of the building.
“Hey, Cupcake.” Rhys kissed my lips lightly. “You waited for me?”
“Just catching up with my good friend Jose.” I winked at Jose and waved goodbye.
Rhys swung his arm around my shoulders as we walked to the elevator. “How was Thanksgiving?”
“I can’t wait to get out of these jeans. I ate too much,” I groaned.
“I did too, but I still need dessert.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask why he didn’t have pie. Dessert was always a part of my Thanksgiving, but then I looked up to see him smirking, and I knew exactly what he meant.
Most women love to shop. Especially when it’s with their friends and they mix in cocktails—at noon. That was on my agenda while Rhys had a game. I needed to buy a dress for the Emmys, and I didn’t want to go shopping alone in fear I might run into someone I didn’t want to see.
The girls and I decided to shop for my dress first before grabbing lunch. I didn’t trust us to pick a dress for me if we were tipsy. The Emmys were like—well, the Emmys. Each year we walked the red carpet, and then when we got inside, there was an open bar followed by the awards ceremony.
“I like that one,” Kylie stated as I came out of the dressing room.
I looked in the mirror and twirled, looking at myself in the knee length, black, halter neckline cocktail dress. It was perfect. Unlike the Prime Time Emmys for the actors of all of our favorite TV shows, I didn’t need to spend thousands on my dress. Granted they were probably paidtowear those dresses.
I turned to face the other girls. “I think so too.”
“I agree.” Colleen nodded.
“You look hot,” Jaime agreed.
I chuckled. “I’m not going for hot. It’s a work function.”
“Yes, but your boyfriend will be there.” Jaime sang the word boyfriend, and I rolled my eyes.
“We’re not going together,” I corrected. “He’s bringing his mom.”
“So you get to meet the family already?” Kylie asked.
“Just his mom.” I moved to go back to the dressing room.
The planners of the event made the seating arrangements, and usually they sat each network together unless there was a special request. We were less than a week away from the Emmys, so I figured Rhys and I wouldn’t be sitting next to each other.
“If you get her approval, I’m sure you’ll be invited for Christmas,” Jaime called out.
I started to unzip the dress after closing myself into the fitting room. “You guys are stressing me out with all this family talk. Let’s go get a drink.”
After paying for my dress, we went to the Cheesecake Factory where, after a glass of wine, I told them what happened with Philip. Jaime already knew what happened on my date because I’d called her when I was in the taxi heading back to my condo. She had been seconds away from coming over, but I’d told her I was going to see Rhys instead of heading into my empty place. Colleen and Kylie were shell-shocked, but after I assured them that I was okay because I was sitting in front of them drinking a margarita, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Now that everyone knew, I never wanted to think of Philip again.
The Emmys.
Honestly, I just went for the open bar.
Of course, over the past few years, it was nice to actually get a few awards. If I had a fireplace, I’d display those babies so everyone could see them. Instead, I kept them in my office. I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection. I even wore the same black and white tux every year because I was hopeful that it was good luck.
Since my parents lived almost an hour from the city, my father drove into town with my mother, and they checked into a hotel—that I’d paid for—where the Emmys were being held. My dad was going to watch TV while we were downstairs. He’d probably order room service and something on Pay-Per-View, but I didn’t mind.
Ashtyn and her co-worker, Abby, were going together, and we had plans to meet up inside the ballroom. Once everything started, we were probably going to be at different tables, unless my mother talked someone into switching. I wouldn’t put it past her. Once they met, I was sure my mom was going to tell me to marry her tomorrow.
