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It takesme a moment to figure out my surroundings but I’ve definitely woken up on the couch. A warm heavy blanket drapes over my body, and the room is dark despite being morning. The large living room windows are coated in rain droplets as hazy gray light tries to trickle through. I push myself to sit up, looking around and the house is eerily quiet. Miles must already be at his morning workout. I should go change so when he gets home this morning he doesn’t find me still sleeping on the couch so I quickly fold the blanket and dig my hands between the cushions searching for my phone. The floor is chilly under my bare feet as I walk through the room. I almost miss the paper sitting on the kitchen island but do a double take and notice the sophisticated script with my name on top.

Camila,

Rosa called, she isn’t feeling well and won’t be coming in today. I’ll send Wills to pick you up at 7 and meet you for dinner.

-MC

P.S. Take this card and find yourself something to wear for the gala tomorrow night.

I pick up the black card sitting on top of the heavy paper, flipping and tapping it on the counter while I read over his note again. The thought of going out to dinner with Miles shouldn’t leave me feeling breathless, but every day I find myself feeling something new when it comes to him. I wonder briefly if I should feel weird about using his money to buy myself a nice dress but then I realize he would likely be mortified if I showed up on his arm in anything less than something extravagant. I take both the note and the card with me up to my room and read it a few more times before I finish getting ready.

A cable carcrawls past me as tourists hang out the windows taking pictures of the colorful buildings that line the street. This street is every small business owner’s dream. It’s full of clothing boutiques, flower shops, and bakeries. An overwhelming scent of jasmine fills my nose as I enter the first store, searching for the perfect dress to wear for the fundraiser. I’m looking but I’m not really paying attention. I haven’t been able to focus on anything. I can still feel his words as if they are burned into the side of my head.

It takes me a few more stores before I find what I’m looking for but when I do, it all but jumps off the hanger and begs me to take it home. I immediately grab it and find a dressing room to try it on. The black dress with one thick shoulder strap hugs my chest and curves tightly before the flowing fabric drapes down to the floor. My leg peeks out of the slit that goes all the way up my thigh and I snap a quick picture in the mirror to send to Taylor.

Me

Is this too much for the charity gala fundraiser?

Taylor

?? ?? ??

Me

Lol. Seriously! What do you think? It’s stunning but is it too much?

Taylor

SCGPOOTFIMTU

Me

????‍?? HELP ME!

Taylor

You look so fire. No, it's not too much.

Me

Ok, I think I’ll get it then. Thank you.

Taylor

Knock em dead ??

Me

Wait. What did the acronym stand for?

“How is everything going in there?” The saleswoman knocks on the door and I set my phone down in my bag.

“Good. Great! I think I’m going to get it,” I call back.

“Oh, wonderful! I’ll meet you up at the front once you’re all changed.”

“Great. Thank you.”