“Because he’s not out of your system.”
“He is sure as hell is.”
“You need closure. So I was thinking maybe you should have one date with him.”
“He’s a dog!”
“But the right woman can tame a wild beast.”
“I don’t want to tame him. Whatever we had, it’s over. I don’t care if I promised him a date. After he banged that blonde... Well, our relationship was doomed. He’s my boss and nothing more.”
“You’ve never spoke to him outside of work. I think you need to come clean and explain the entire night, then ask him how come he doesn’t remember.”
“Closure would be nice. An explanation would be nice. It’s the only one night stand I’ve ever had in my life. I would like to know why he doesn’t remember it.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. Get closure. Then move on. Because once you settle this, I’ve got someone to set you up with. But I don’t think you can date until you get past this current chapter in your life.”
“Fine. Invite him. I can be cordial. Can he?”
“You have rejected him now for the last few weeks.”
“Serves him right.”
***
The day finally arrived. The house was immaculate, and dinner was warming in catering bins in the kitchen while the two of us were up in her bedroom readying ourselves. I slipped a pink cocktail dress over my shoulders, then turned this way and that in the mirror.
Perfect.
Pink wasn’t really my color, but this particular shade of pink had its own unique spin. Somehow, the burnt rose complemented my complexion and made my hair stand out, giving my
eyes almost a glow against my pale skin. My makeup was done to perfection, my hair styled in long, loose waves. As a final touch, I lifted the ruby pendant and placed it around my neck.
Madison glanced discreetly at me from across the room, raising her eyebrows. “I see you’re back to wearing that.”
My shoulders dropped, but I stared back at my reflection with a fierce kind of determination. “Yeah, I think so.” When I turned away from my reflection, I instantly locked my eyes on hers. “He can’t possibly forget the necklace.”
“He didn’t remember it last time.”
“True.”
Madison nodded carefully as she fastened the clasps on her stilettos. While I had gone for the girly, feminine look, she opted for all black, a stunning cocktail dress that dipped all the way down to her stomach and was sure to drive every man wild.
“That’s true, I guess. You know, he is in a work environment now. People are different at the office than they are in the outside world. Which is why this is such a fantastic idea. It might be good to get together outside the workplace, so you can see how he really is, how he really makes you feel when he’s being himself.”
“We’ll see.”
Madison tossed her hair back, donning a smile of superiority. “By the way, I’m serving his favorite pastries. Just don’t throw one at him, okay? Wow. I’m always full of fantastic ideas.”
“Oh yeah?” I shot her a sarcastic grin. “Is that what you’re full of?”
I was literally saved by the bell from her retort, and I shot Madison a sweet look as the two of us swept down the stairs to answer the call of the barking fake dogs.
A wave of nerves swept through me with every step closer, but I did my very best to breathe through them. At the very least, half a dozen people were about to see Madison’s bizarre house for the first time, and that alone promised to be entertaining.
The dogs barked again just as we came to a stop on the other side. After one final adjustment to our hair, we were nearly ready to welcome our guests.
“Listen, if things do heat up with Robert tonight,” Madison whispered, “just remember that there are condoms in the Russian nesting dolls in the bathroom.”