She giggled. “There's still one concern I have about going?”
“What's that?”
“I don't know what to wear,” she continued.
“Don't worry about that,” he said. “Go to the boutique dress store on eighth street downtown. You know that little tiny shop right in the center of the block? It's called La Dress.”
“Yeah, I've seen it before,” Lily said. “I mean, I've walked by it. I've never gone inside because I knew that there was no way I could afford anything in there, though.”
“Well, go there and pick out whatever you like,” Wyatt said. “I'll call and give him my payment information so that you can check out easily.”
“Wyatt, are you serious?” Lily asked. “You do know how crazy expensive that place is, right?”
Wyatt knew exactly how expensive the store was, because Caroline had been addicted to buying dresses there. Everything at La Dress was imported from France and Italy. It was all hand-stitched and made of the finest materials. He realized that each article of clothing there was worth more than most people's wardrobes, but he didn't care. He wanted the best for Lily. He wanted to give her the opportunity to experience what it would actually be like to date a billionaire. Plus, it wasn't like spending a few grand on a dress would break the bank. Not in the slightest. In his mind, it was just a little something on the side he wanted to do for her. No big deal.
“Don't worry about how much it costs, Lily,” Wyatt said. “Just go there and buy a dress that you love. Don't even look at the price tag, just find something that speaks to you.”
“I seriously can't believe what you're offering me right now,” she said. “That's the nicest thing anybody has ever offered me.”
“I'm happy to do it,” he said. “Besides, after all you did for Maggie and me this last week, buying you a nice dress is the least I can do.”
“That's really sweet, but I didn't do anything all that special,” she said. “I just did my job.”
“You taught my daughter how to swim,” he said. “Trust me. That's something special. Not to mention, you put a smile on her face that I hadn't seen in quite some time. I assure you, getting you a simple dress won't even come close to repaying the debt that I owe you.”
“For what it's worth, I would have done everything I did last week for free,” she said. “But, if you insist, I'll go down to La Dress and pick something up for Friday evening.”
“I do insist,” Wyatt said.
He heard Mildred and Maggie downstairs. They were chatting loudly in the kitchen and Maggie was squealing in excitement. He assumed that she had just opened one of the souvenirs that Mildred had brought back from her trip.
“Did you hear that?” Wyatt asked Lily.
“Yeah, was that Maggie?” she asked. “Wow. She sounds excited about something.”
Wyatt laughed. “I'm pretty sure Mildred just let her open up some gifts.”
“Should I let you go?” she asked.
“I suppose so.” Wyatt glanced in the mirror as he spoke, making sure there weren't any obvious signs that he'd cried. “I'll just plan on seeing you Friday then, if that's okay.”
“Yes, definitely,” Lily said. “I can't wait. What time should I be there?”
“I'll pick you up in the Lamborghini,” Wyatt said. “I'll be at your place at seven.”
“Sounds great,” she said. “I'll see you then.”
“Bye.” Wyatt hung up the phone and tossed it onto his bed.
The anxiety and nerves that had filled his belly were now replaced with nothing but excitement for Friday night. He couldn't wait to have a real date with Lily.
This week can't go by quick enough, he thought, then headed downstairs to join Maggie and Mildred in the kitchen.
Chapter 24
Lily
Lily pulled her rickety old Honda down the narrow one-way street downtown. It was Friday morning and she'd called in sick at her coffee shop job, just so that she could go to La Dress and buy an outfit for her date with Wyatt that night.