6
632 Words
Nadia's smile disappeared.
“Tonight?”
“Apparently, he's a busy man.”
“So am I.”
“I'm aware.”
“And I'm in the middle of something.”
“What could possibly be more important than securing the relationship that just saved your company?”
Nadia narrowed her eyes.
“You're becoming irritating again.”
“I've been irritating since the day we met.”
“Fair.”
She sighed.
“Where?”
“I'll pick you up from wherever you are.”
“I'm at a bridal boutique.”
There was a brief silence.
“A bridal boutique?”
“Don't sound so surprised.”
“I didn't realize you were taking this seriously.”
“I am taking the contract seriously. The wedding is just part of the contract.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Nadia rolled her eyes.
“Send me the address of the restaurant.”
“I'll pick you up in an hour.”
“Fine.”
She ended the call. Jacqueline immediately leaned forward.
“So?”
Nadia picked up another dress from the rack.
“Xavier got the Enzo contract.”
Jacqueline's eyes widened.
“He did?”
“He did.”
“That is huge!”
“I know.”
“And?”
“Ryenzo wants to meet me.”
Jacqueline's expression changed.
“Tonight?”
Nadia nodded. Jacqueline looked at the dress in Nadia's hand.
“Then we'd better hurry.”
“Thank you.”
“But we're not leaving until I find you a dress.”
Nadia groaned. “Jaqie.”
“One dress.”
“Simple.”
“Simple-ish.”
“Simple.”
Jacqueline smiled.
“Fine. Simple.”
An hour later, Nadia stood in front of the mirror in a dress that was almost exactly what she had asked for.
It was elegant without being extravagant. Clean, understated, and nothing like the dramatic gowns Jacqueline had originally envisioned.
Nadia looked at herself for a moment.
“This one.”
Jacqueline stared at her reflection.
“Okay…”
Nadia turned.
“What?”
“I hate how much I like it.”
Nadia smiled.
“I knew you would.”
“You actually look like a bride.”
“Don't ruin it.”
Jacqueline laughed.
A car horn sounded outside.
Nadia looked toward the entrance.
“That's him.”
Jacqueline picked up Nadia's bag.
“Go. I'll deal with the dress.”
“You're not coming?”
“I have work to do.”
Nadia raised an eyebrow.
“You mean you're going to plan my wedding without me.”
“Exactly.”
Nadia laughed as she walked toward the door.
Outside, Xavier was waiting beside his car.
He looked at her for a moment when she approached.
Then his eyes briefly moved over the dress.
“That's simple.”
Nadia stopped.
“Was that a compliment?”
“An observation.”
“Of course.”
He opened the passenger door for her.
“Ryenzo is waiting.”
Nadia got into the car.
As Xavier walked around to the driver's side, she looked out the window.
“So, Mr. Sterling…”
“Yes?”
“Congratulations on getting your precious contract.”
“Thank you.”
“And if this dinner goes badly, I'm blaming you.”
He started the engine.
“Don't worry, Miss Whitmore. It won't.”
Nadia looked at him skeptically.
“You sound very confident.”
“I usually am.”
“That might be your most annoying quality.”
“I have several.”
She almost smiled.
Neither of them knew that by the end of the night, the simple dinner with Ryenzo Lawrence would be the beginning of something neither of them had accounted for in their thirty-month agreement.
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