“So, you’ll go?” he asked.
“Of course. I’ll pick up a dress tonight.”
He smiled at her for the first time in two weeks. “Good.” Then he lowered his voice. “All of us are allowed to bring a plus-one.”
Oh. She deflated internally but was able to keep the disappointment off her face. Was he trying to tell her that he was bringing a date? He didn’t owe her an explanation, but she was glad to know ahead of time. If she’d shown up at the gala unaware and seen a gorgeous woman on his arm, she might have gotten sick.
“I won’t be using my plus-one,” she said. She shuddered, thinking of her last date, the guy who’d only wanted to talk about himself and his love for camping.
“You’re not bringing anyone?” he asked. He looked tense around the eyes, although she had no idea why.
She shook her head. “Not a chance. I’ll be going solo.”
His face relaxed. “So will I. Would you like me to pick you up? We can go together, separately.”
Her eyebrows shot up. That was a one-hundred-and-eighty degree turnaround. For two weeks, he’d wanted nothing to do with her, and now he wanted to go to the gala as what? Friends? Coworkers? Boss and assistant?
He was all over the place, and she had no idea what to make of it.
“Do you have a dress for the gala?” Ashley asked her the next day.
“I don’t have one yet,” she said.
“Do you want to go shopping together?”
“That sounds great.” Lately, she’d been either studying or working, and it would be nice to spend some time with a friend. She and Ashley planned for Ava to pick her up at 6:00 p.m., and they’d hit several of the local boutiques. She didn’t know what Ashley’s budget was like, but one of Ava’s friends from high school owned one of the premier dress stores in town, and she had a vast array of dresses that would fit any budget.
They pulled up at the store, which was named Lilac and had a cute purple door to match the name. Ashley’s friend greeted them with hugs and immediately started collecting dresses that she claimed would look good on them.
Ashley was tall and willowy, with perfect caramel skin and straight black hair. She ended up trying on a strapless red dress that hung just right on her statuesque frame.
Ava ended up with a jade-colored dress that looked great with her ivory skin and red hair. It had an A-line cut, and the asymmetrical skirt fell in a way that showed off her legs. The whole thing was made of flowy chiffon and lace. She felt very feminine as she stood in front of the giant three-way mirror.
“Oh my God,” Ashley said. “You look amazing. Like a model.”
Ashley was the one who looked more like a model, but Ava had to admit that the dress was flattering on her. She didn’t often take the time to find clothes that accentuated her coloring or the curves of her body, but this dress did just that.
She found herself wondering what Eli would think of it.
Ashley put her arm around Ava. “I’m so glad your friend owns this place. Because we will be the best dressed of the entire gala.”
Ava had to agree.
She’d felt so confident when she was at the boutique with Ashley. But now that Eli was only minutes from picking her up, she wasn’t so sure. She’d worked all day and then raced home to take a hot bath and curl her hair. She even did her best to put on makeup, following all the steps Ashley had detailed.
With ten minutes to spare, she was ready. And thank goodness, because Eli was never late.
At exactly 6:00 p.m., her doorman buzzed Eli up.
She paced back and forth in front of her door while he made his way up to her apartment.
This wasn’t a date. There was no reason to be so jittery. But she couldn’t help chewing on her lip, which was probably ruining her lipstick. Before he could knock, she flung the door wide open.
“Hi,” she said.
Her eyes widened. Eli had on a tuxedo, a black one with a white shirt. It had obviously been tailored to fit him.
Of course, she noticed how hot he was day in and day out. But the man she worked with and admired was Dr. Eli Bennett, geneticist. That guy wore khakis and a lab coat and scrubs if the day called for them. He often had on goggles and a mask. If he was in his office, he was working on his research papers on his computer. Sometimes, he was muttering to himself while making handwritten notes on a piece of paper. But right now? There was no trace of her nerdy scientist.
This man was smoking hot and sexy. He managed to look rugged and debonair at the same time. The tux accentuated his broad shoulders, and the stark white collar showed off his strong jawline.
She stood there, not moving, just staring at him.
He held out his hand. “Ava, are you ready?”
She nodded.
She let him lead her out into the hallway. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him, looping her arm through his elbow. “And you look very handsome as well.” She gestured at their clothing with her free hand. “It’s a big change from our usual.” She smiled. “Maybe we should host a gala where we all wear goggles and protective gowns.”
He chuckled. “That would make some good photos for the society pages.”
On the way to his car, he put his hand on the small of her back and kept it there. He guided her, just like they were on a date. She could have moved away, but
