Lucah still looked skeptical.
“It’ll be like the Company Ball. Only with the best of Boston society,” I said.
“What’s the charity?” Lucah said.
“Um, Cystic Fibrosis,” I said, reading back the text. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Sloane will make me a fabulous dress and I’ll get to see you in a tux and we’ll dance the night away. Don’t you want to dance with me?” I was really laying it on thick.
“Very well played, Sunshine. You know I can’t say no to you in a dress with the option of getting to dance with you.”
“So you’ll go with me?” He rolled his eyes as if it was a huge inconvenience and I was really putting him out.
“I guess.” I poked him in the chest. “Yes, Miss Clarke, I would be happy to escort you.” He kissed my hand and then twirled me around. Sloane sighed audibly.
“I’m guessing you also want to go,” Ryder said.
“Maybe,” Sloane said, sensing where he was taking this. “If I had someone to take me.” She sang the last part.
“Sorry, I don’t know anyone like that.” He went back to finishing the slice of blueberry pie Sloane had made. She waited for him to tell her he was joking, but he didn’t.
“Ryder?” Lucah said, trying to give him a hint.
“Yes, big brother?” Ryder played innocent. Clearly, he wanted to make a production before he actually asked her.
“You’re being a dick,” Lucah said, pulling me onto his lap.
“Why? What did I do?” Oh, he was good.
“So, I guess I’ll be seeing the two of you at the event? I’ve decided to go by myself. Some people just can’t handle my fabulousness.” Sloane flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder and turned away from Ryder.
“You got that right,” I said, giving her a fist bump.
“Fuck, okay. I’ll take you.” Ryder caved only seconds later. I knew he would. He liked her too much.
“No way. You had your shot. That offer has closed. You’re done.” But I knew she would change her mind. She liked him too much.
After some more back and forth, Sloane agreed to go with Ryder, but it was like pulling teeth.
“So when is this thing?” Ryder asked.
“Uh, in a few weeks. So there’s enough time to make dresses,” I said to Sloane and she had that maniacal gleam in her eye that she got when she got to design something new. I knew she wanted to leave ASAP so she could go back to her place and start sketching out ideas.
“Plenty of time.”
“You’re really excited about this,” Ryder said, staring at Sloane. He’d obviously never seen her in designing mode. It was something to watch.
“There’s nothing that excites Sloane more than the opportunity to design something new. Especially a dress. Have you seen the ones she made for the Company Ball?” I got out my phone and pulled up some pictures.
“You made that?” Ryder said to Sloane as I showed him my dress. I still got shivers every time I saw it. Part of me wanted to just wear that one again, but then another part wanted to see Lucah’s face when I put on a different dress. It would be well worth it, and Sloane would never let me wear the same dress twice. That was a cardinal sin.
“I did. I could make you some jeans, you know. I don’t just do dresses and lingerie.” She winked and he didn’t say anything for a moment. “I could probably whip you up some tomorrow. Stand up.”
I was actually surprised that Ryder hadn’t been subjected to having his measurements taken yet. What had she been waiting for? When she pulled a tape measure out of her bra, Ryder’s eyes popped just a tiny bit.
“What else do you have in there?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She took his measurements quickly and efficiently.
“Don’t, you, uh, need to do the inseam?” he said with a gleam in his eye.