Page 52 of Decoding Emma

“You don’t get it.”How could I explain?

“Maybe I don’t.But I’m not going to let you walk into the lion’s den unsupported.”

“You don’t have to do that.”I did appreciate what Asher was offering.

“I do.Did your mother send you an invitation?I’m assuming such events have invitations.”

“Yes.”

“Look at it.”

“Stop with the damned orders, Asher.”His commands were starting to get on my nerves.

He grinned.“There’s that assertiveness.”

I pulled my hands from his and opened my email.Yep, there was the invitation.Yuck, another black tie performance.I looked at the invite.It was addressed to Emma Palmer and guest.“Looks like I can bring a guest.”That was different.Usually, it was an invite that said Roger and Victoria Palmer and family.Good.Word was out that I wasn’t living at home.

“Good.Let me see.”Asher took the phone out of my hand before I could stop him.

“Hey.”I went to grab it back, but he held it away from me.

“All right.Saturday, at seven in the Hunt’s Point area.”He glanced at me, one eyebrow raised, and a knowing smile.“Very exclusive.”Asher continued to read the email.“Black tie.No worries there.”He handed my phone back to me.“I’ll pick you up at six.That should give us enough time to get there.”And an unspoken but cleardon’t worry, we got thisattitude.

I shook my head.“You don’t have to do this.”How would I explain Asher’s presence?Not that my parents cared.

“I want to do it.”Asher rolled his chair back to his workstation.“Now that we have that out of the way, let’s discuss what Lucas just asked me for.”

I put my phone away and tried to concentrate on what Asher was saying, but I wasn’t doing so well with that.All I could think about was Asher being with me on Saturday, keeping me company.

Okay.Looks like I’m going to need a dress.

Chapter Twenty-One

Emma

“Cassie, I need your help.”I walked into her office Friday morning.I went through my closet last night.I was right.I didn’t have a dress that would work for Saturday.

“What’s up?”Cassie gestured to the chair in front of her desk.

I sat down.“I need a dress.Can you help me?”

Cassie leaned forward and braced her elbows on the desk.“What kind of dress?”

“A black-tie party kind.”Cassie was the only one I felt comfortable enough to ask about this.Asher wouldn’t understand.

“Hmmm.”Cassie tapped her lips with her finger.“When do you need it?”

“Tomorrow.”This was a lost cause.There was no way I could get a dress that would live up to my mother’s standards by tomorrow.

“Give me a second.”Cassie picked up the phone and dialed.“Celeste, it’s Cassie.Do you by chance have time around eleven thirty for a friend and me?She needs a formal dress for tomorrow night.Yes, I know.”Cassie nodded.“Nothing that shows too much skin.”

“No leg slits,” I whispered.I hated when men ogled my legs.

“No leg slits, I’d say a size…” Cassie prompted me with a look.

“Eighteen.”My cheeks heated.I wasn’t a small woman.

“Eighteen, maybe smaller.Perfect.Thank you so much, Celeste.I owe you.”Cassie hung up the phone.“That’s all set.Meet me here at eleven fifteen, and we’ll go to the shop.”