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  “Mom, that way of thinking worked just fine when you were growing up, but this is a new era. Brianna is my daughter and if she wants to take some time to find herself, then it’s fine with me. It sure beats marrying a man you don’t love and having to wait twenty some odd years to find out who you really are like I did. And since I have you both here, I want to let you know I plan on going out of town for two weeks,” Mom announced.

  I wish I was the person in the crowd that kicked off the slow clap, because Mom definitely deserved a round of applause. It’s not often that she stood up to Gram-Gram, but when she did, it’s awesome. I was even happier to know she’s going out of town. She deserved the vacation and I welcomed the alone time.

  Gram-Gram pursed her lips into a harsh line refusing to comment any further after being put in her place.

  “Where are you headed?” I asked. A broad smile blossomed across my face, thankful the attention was off of me.

  “Don is taking me to Jamaica,” she gushed.

  Don was Mom’s latest squeeze and she really enjoyed the attention he lavished on her. We excitedly prattled on about swimsuits and flight details while Gram-Gram sat scowling and cutting her eyes at both of us. We tried to lure her into the conversation just so she would stop looking like she had a sour taste in her mouth. She knew how to get under Mom’s skin by giving her the silent treatment.

  I took it as an opportunity to eat my food before escaping to the solitude of my bedroom. My hand found the light switch as I pushed the door closed with my foot. An exasperated sigh left my lips in a huff. Gram-Gram did have a point about my whole job situation, despite her snarky way of bringing it into the light. My goal was to land a job by the time Mom got back from her vacation. If it weren’t for her I would be homeless and probably getting arrested on prostitution charges. I felt obligated to hurry up and get on my feet so she could stop supporting me.

  I found myself standing in front of my closet ready to take on my next task. Hopefully my mystery man would be in the coffee shop tomorrow, and I needed the perfect outfit to lure him in. Of course finding the right threads took longer than I expected. After nearly an hour and a half, I finally found jeans that wouldn’t require me losing a limb from loss of circulation and a shirt that completely covered my stomach. Add a bra and a bit of mascara to the mix and I planned on being ready for whatever tomorrow had to offer.

  Chapter Three

  My eyes popped open before my alarm clock had a chance to go off. I darted out of bed, but I took my time getting dressed as I attempted to make sure everything was in its proper place. The chances of being approached by Mr. Blue Eyes were slim, but I was willing to put my best foot forward … just in case.

  I walked into the café and headed for my usual spot.

  “Well don’t you look extra spiffy today,” Jayce teased.

  A smile tugged at my lips as I waited for my coffee. “Since when are jeans and a T-shirt spiffy?”

  “It’s a change from your pajamas wouldn’t you agree?” he asked with an eyebrow raised.

  I guess comparatively speaking I did look spiffy. My eyes scanned the shop, but there was no sign of the handsome guy from the day before. Returning my attention to my cup and pastry, I completely missed his arrival until it was too late.

  His scent registered first, it was light and intoxicating. Nothing turned me on more than a man that smelled good.

  “You mind if I sit here?” he whispered, his warm breath practically nipped at my earlobe.

  My head made a quarter turn and our eyes met with the same intensity as the day before. “You mind if I sit here?” was going to be the question I would ask him at some point, only instead of the barstool, I would be referring to his face. Oh wow … where did that come from? Let’s rein it in, Bri, so you don’t come off like a horn-dog.

  “No, I don’t mind,” I mumbled into my hot mug.

  “I’m Connor,” he said.

  Yes! Yes! YES! This is really happening.

  “Bri,” I replied.

  “Bri? What a beautiful name. I wanted to ask you yesterday, but you rushed out of here so fast,” he said, motioning for Jayce to come over. “I’ll have a large coffee, black.”

  “Coming right up. Bri you want anything else?” Jayce asked.

  I shook my head and picked at the edge of the Danish. “Why did you want to know my name?”

  He leaned forward on the counter and chuckled. If there was ever a time to swoon, it would be now. I bit my bottom lip in an attempt to help hold my lips together. The last thing I needed was drool sliding down my chin from my inability to keep my mouth closed.

  “I make it a point to find out the name of any pretty girl that catches my eye,” he murmured.

  Yeah, the whole lip thing failed as my mouth flapped open in awe. He was laying it on thick and I liked it.

  Jayce returned with the coffee and waited. He seemed interested in knowing what would happen next too. After a few awkward moments, Connor finally broke the silence.

  “Uh, thanks man. I’m ready to settle the bill. Add her order to mine,” he said.

  “No … no, that’s not necessary,” I protested.

  Connor’s eyes dimmed as he flashed his teeth again. “It’s absolutely necessary. And tonight when I pay for our dinner, it will be necessary then too.”

  I couldn’t stop my lips from forming the largest smile ever. My eyes could have been playing tricks, but I thought I saw Jayce roll his eyes as he went to retrieve the receipt.

  “Dinner?” I questioned.

  “Yes, dinner. Give me your number and I’ll text you with the details,” he said as he stood up to leave. “I hate to just drop in and leave so soon, but I have to get to work.”

  I grabbed a napkin and pen off the counter, and struggled to recall my phone number. My palms were sweaty, and my nerves took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. With trembling hands, I handed the napkin over to Connor. He glanced down at the semi-damp napkin and flashed another grin.

  “Later,” he said.

  At a complete loss for words, I gave a small wave instead. As soon as he’s gone, I looked around just to see if anyone else had witnessed the magic that just happened.

  “Are you seriously going out with that guy?” Jayce scoffed.

  My smile grew smaller as a frown took over my face. “Yeah, what’s wrong with that?” I asked defensively.

  “He seems really fake to me, and I don’t think he’s being honest with you,” he replied, his voice taking on a very matter of fact tone. This was the first time I’d seen him with something other than a smile on his face. What the hell is his problem?

  I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my seat. “How could you possibly know any of that from the few seconds of conversation we exchanged?” I asked.

  Jayce put both hands on the countertop and leaned forward. The stance caused his shirt to strain against his muscles just a tad.

  “I’m a man, that’s how,” he replied. “But hey, if I’m wrong I will let you get your usual for free for the next month.”

  “Wow,” I muttered. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Sorry it’s so hard to fathom that a guy could like me.”

  “Wait, that’s not what I meant!” he called out, but I was already halfway out the door.

  Chapter Four

  I couldn’t believe the nerve of Jayce trying to rain on my parade. It was perfectly plausible for Connor to actually be interested in me. Jayce couldn’t even offer a legitimate reason behind why he thought those things about Connor. I couldn’t help but wonder if he said that because of my looks or something. I pulled my car into the driveway at home and put the car in park. I would show him. It was okay for a guy like Connor to like someone like me. Right? It didn’t take much to unlock the delicate box that held my insecurities at bay, and the door was definitely wide open now. My mind scrambled to find ways to mask all of my imperfections thanks to Jayce planting a seed of doubt in my mind.

  I plowed into the house and took
the stairs two at a time. Operation Transformation was about to take place. I didn’t have a clue where we were going or what was planned, but I was going to do everything in my power to look good doing it. The chime of my cell phone drew my gaze away from my closet.

  “Kirsten!” I squealed. “You called at the perfect time. Drop whatever you’re doing and get over here.”

  “Oh my,” she said. “Sounds like somebody is excited.”

  “Mmmhmm, I’m more than excited. I have a date with the hot guy from yesterday.”

  Kirsten released a loud yelp into the phone. “Damn, you didn’t tell me it was a Code Blue! I’ll be there in a few.”

  She hung the phone up in my face before I had a chance to say goodbye. Minutes later I heard the door downstairs open and close. I knew it was Kirsten based on her heavy stomping coming up the stairs. She burst through my door and shoved her makeup kit to the side. Grabbing my shoulders, she propelled me to the bed while she found a spot on the floor.

  “Start at the very beginning and don’t leave out a single detail,” she ordered.

  I beamed from ear to ear as I made myself more comfortable on the bed. Since I finally had good news to deliver, I took my time dragging out the story. Kirsten eagerly sat there hanging on to my every word. It was fun watching her face go through a series of exaggerated expressions. Once I finished my tale, Kirsten jumped to her feet with a sinister smile dancing on her lips.

  “All right, chick, it’s time to go to work. Have you decided on what to wear?” she asked.

  I rolled off the bed and joined her next to the closet. “No, not really. Something cute and comfortable I guess.”

  Kirsten, ever the fashionista, scowled at me as if I’d said plaid and flannel.

  “What?” I asked with a shrug. “My options are limited. None of the cute stuff I own fits anymore.”

  She rolled her eyes and thumbed through the clothes. “If they don’t fit … you make them fit. Don’t you have a body shaper or something?”

  “Yes,” I replied slowly. “But I want to be able to breathe through dinner or whatever we do. Those stupid shapers cut off my circulation.”

  “If you play your cards right you won’t be wearing it for long,” said Kirsten with a wink.

  I smiled and sat back down on the edge of the bed waiting on her to find something suitable. Everything she pulled from the closet didn’t look or feel right. Most of my dresses were short from back in the day when I had killer legs and no cellulite. I held on to the too-tight clothes in hopes that I would one day fit in them again.

  Finally, after a lot of back and forth, we found something that would work under the right circumstances. The dress was black and hit right above my knees. It was also formfitting, so a body shaper would be needed in order for me to have a smooth silhouette. I placed the dress on the bed and made my way to the closet where Kirsten was crouched down examining my shoes.

  “Since we don’t know the specifics of the date I think you need something comfortable for your feet,” she murmured.

  Oh now my comfort matters.

  Our heads whipped around simultaneously as my phone chimed. There was a mad dash to the bed, and we wrestled over the hand-held device.

  Kirsten won and managed to hold me at bay with one hand as she scrolled through my messages with the other. “Wow,” she whispered.

  I stopped flailing around and froze. “Wow? Wow what? Is the message from Connor?” I asked anxiously.

  “Yes,” she said with a smirk. “He said he made reservations at Maison de L’amour for eight o’clock. And he wants to know if you want him to pick you up.”

  “No!” I yelled, snatching the phone out her hands. “You know I need to be able to leave just in case things don’t turn out right.”

  Kirsten narrowed her eyes into tiny slits as she folded her arms across her chest. “Why do you always set yourself up for failure? You want to drive your own car because you have already planned on this date failing.”

  True.

  “That’s not it,” I protested.

  Instead of being a sympathetic understanding friend, all I got was a skeptical arched eyebrow in my direction.

  “It’s not,” I said firmly. “I need some semblance of control. He chose the restaurant. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to drive my own car.”

  “Mmmhmm, okay, Bri. Whatever you say,” she replied, her voice dripping in disbelief. “Go on and get showered so we can finish pulling the rest of your look together. Make sure you shave everything. You have to be prepared … just in case.”

  I smiled a little at the implications of “just in case” as I grabbed my towel and razor. Kirsten barely gave me a chance to step out of the shower before she started her primping session. Based on all of the pulling going on, I was positive most of my hair had been ripped out. This had better be worth all the trouble, no … torture, I was going through. After a few more brush strokes of blush, Kirsten stepped back and leaned her head to the side to admire her work.

  “I think you’re ready,” she said.

  I walked over to the mirror and almost didn’t recognize myself. She made my skin look flawless. Surprisingly, I still had hair attached to my scalp and it was cascading down in large curls.

  “Wow, Kirsten, you really outdid yourself this time,” I murmured. “I have cheekbones now.”

  “I told you I’m a magician. Makeup is nothing more than a magic trick. I know how to create the right illusion to work in your favor,” she explained. “You know I can talk all night about the ins and outs of the beauty world, but it’s seven o’clock. We need to get you into your dress and on the road headed to the restaurant.”

  I grabbed the body shaper and shimmied halfway into it before I needed help. We pulled, tugged, and tucked all of me into the tight straitjacket-like garment. I couldn’t deny the obvious transformation of my body as the dress was zipped into place. Kirsten coupled it with some bangle bracelets, stud earrings, and leopard print heels.

  With my keys in tow, we headed out the front door. My heart raced and I was eager to find out what was coming next.

  Chapter Five

  I blinked my eyes and tried to get my breathing under control as I raced toward the restaurant. A sheen of sweat started to develop on my upper lip and brow, and I gently dabbed at both areas with the back of my hand. Either my nerves were taking control or I was dangerously close to passing out because of the body shaper.

  I pulled up to the restaurant and decided to park on my own rather than valet. I didn’t have twenty bucks to waste just to park a car. Unfortunately for me and my feet, the closest space available was a block away. I checked my makeup and took a deep breath before I opened the restaurant door. My eyes roamed over the other diners, searching for Connor, but he was nowhere to be found.

  “Ma’am, do you need some help?” asked the hostess.

  “No,” I said. “I’m waiting on someone.”

  A couple came up behind me, so I inched over to the side to get out of their way.

  The lights were low, creating the perfect romantic mood for the evening. I craned my neck around, attempting to get a better look at the decor. Each table had linen tablecloths and candles. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other in the not so comfortable shoes Kirsten insisted I wear. Evidently she had no clue what the word comfortable meant.

  “You’re breathtaking,” a voice murmured into my ear.

  Connor took a couple of steps back as I turned around. “Thank you,” I replied. “You look quite handsome yourself.”

  Actually, he looked better than handsome in his black pinstripe suit. I was even more impressed by the dark purple tie and matching handkerchief combo. There was no denying the man definitely had style. But then again, he could have been standing there in a loincloth and I would probably comment on how good he looked in his outfit.

  “Shall we?” he asked, offering me his arm.

  I nervously latched on and moved with him toward the hostess gua
rding the reservation book.

  “Reservation for two under the name Connor O’Neil,” he said.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied. “Do you have a seating preference?”

  Instead of offering a response, Connor turned to me and arched an eyebrow. “Preference?” he asked.

  “Um,” I said. Damn, I wasn’t expecting to be put on the spot like this. “A booth will be fine.”

  Connor dropped his eyes and smiled. Did I say something funny?

  “This restaurant doesn’t offer booths, we have tables. In terms of preference, I meant center dining room, or perhaps by the window,” the hostess explained with a bit of a bite in her tone. If it wasn’t inappropriate to call me a dumbass I’m positive she would have.

  I was so embarrassed now and the date hadn’t even started. At the rate I was going, my frazzled nerves would have me sweating through this dress before the night was over.

  “The window will be fine,” said Connor.

  If I could shrink down and disappear right now, I would.

  The snarky hostess led us to an intimate private table, away from all of the other patrons. I grabbed my chair so I could sit down, but Connor gently batted my hands away as he pulled out the chair for me. This date was shaping up to be one for the record books, minus my earlier incident. I’d never had a man be such a gentleman before. Most of the guys I dated didn’t open doors, let alone pull out chairs.

  “Your server will be with you in just a moment,” said the hostess, before shooting a nasty glare in my direction.

  “I’m glad you showed up, Bri. For a moment I thought you were giving me the cold shoulder when you said you wanted to drive yourself,” he said.

  My hands nervously gripped the clutch in my lap as I gathered the courage to look him in the eyes. “Of course I showed up,” I said. “I’m still in shock you even asked.”

  “The night’s still young, so I may shock you even more. You never know what I might have up my sleeve,” he murmured. My mind illustrated in vivid detail all of the possible outcomes for this night and they all involved being naked. Something about him awakened a part of me that had been hidden for quite some time.