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“Here you are.” Rebecca came forward, turning me towards the full-length mirror they’d set up in the middle of the room. My jaw dropped and my knees nearly gave way. There was no fucking way that was me. Was it?
It was exactly like one of those transformation shows. I was unrecognizable, even to myself. From the top of my head all the way down to my toes, I was like a different person. An elegant, classy person. Who looked a lot like she deserved her place next to a gorgeous, kind, funny billionaire who just wanted to spoil her for her birthday and…and…I waved my hands urgently at my face, willing the tears away.
“It’s okay, darling, you can cry. Nothing is going to smear that makeup.”
I gave Rebecca a watery smile. “Okay, thank you.”
“And now, your chariot awaits.”
I followed where she pointed, to see Wolfe getting out of a low slung, dark blue sports car. My heart went into overdrive at the sight of him. As he came around the back of the car, he did up the button on his suit jacket, looking so much like he’d stepped out of a commercial for…something really fancy and expensive. His charcoal suit was tailored to his body with exquisite perfection and, oh dear heaven, his tie was the same shade of midnight blue as my dress.
With my hand over my stomach to quell the butterflies that were rioting there, I forced in a few deep breaths. They did nothing to calm my nerves, but at least I thought I’d be able to cross the salon to the door. Rebecca eased ahead of me and pulled it open. “Happy birthday. Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you. So much!” On impulse, because all these weird, overwhelming feelings had to go somewhere, I hugged her. She went stiff as a board for a moment, and I had an instant of freak out, thinking I’d breached some sort of unwritten protocol. But then she relaxed, giving me a one-armed hug in return.
Then it was time to step out and greet my…friend. He was leaning against the hood of the car, dark head bent over his phone. I didn’t know what to do, so I fidgeted with the hem of the dress and cleared my throat.
He raised his head and froze. Just went stock still, staring at me with a blank expression on his face. Which, of course, made me freak out again and fidget with the dress some more.
“It’s…it’s not good?”
He blinked once. Then twice. “Holy fucking god, Esme. You look absolutely beautiful.” His eyes roved over me with barely disguised hunger, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
My blood humming, I gripped the purse tightly enough that the sparkly bits dug into my palms. “I look pretty good, yeah?”
The heat died from his eyes, replaced with a friendly smile as he pushed off the car. “You’re a total smoke show. Now let’s go, I’m starving.” There was something about the way he said the last part that made me think he didn’t mean for food and it had me feeling tingly and weird.
“Is this a Ferrari?”
He almost looked offended. “No. Ferraris are for schmucks.”
“Oh, right. Silly me.”
“It’s a McLaren GT.”
“Well, it’s very nice.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“It’s a gorgeous color. Kind of the same shade of blue as my dress.”
Pulling the passenger door open, he flashed me a grin. “I’m aware.”
I stopped dead, staring at him. “You didn’t…”
“Didn’t what?”
“Go out and buy a car to match my dress?”
“Of course not. As if I’d do anything that wild.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you,” I scoffed, stepping closer, loving the way the extra height from the heels brought my eyes closer to his when he grinned down at me. Also, loving the way he took my hand, holding it while I climbed into the car before closing the door behind me. Such a gentleman.
CHAPTER9
Wolfe
Irelaxed into the seat, and driving up Lafayette Street, shot Esme a quick glance. She was gazing out the window, taking in the broad stretch of the street, with its mix of modern, glass fronted buildings and historic facades. Pops of color from flower filled planters added vibrancy to the scene of people walking along or sitting at any of the sidewalk restaurants. The hum of conversation and laughter drifted through the twilight air. It was home, and I loved it. Loved it enough to wonder what Esme thought of it. “See anything you like?”