Page 89 of Fake it For Good
“I will.”
“Check out my earrings,” she said and tapped them. The red balls lit up. “Cool, huh?”
“Very cool. You are really going to be the standout tonight. Thank you for going through the trouble. I really appreciate all your effort.”
“It has been fun,” I said. “I’m thinking about wearing this to the orphanage on Christmas.”
“You should,” I said. “The kids will love it.”
There was an awkward pause. “I’ll grab my gloves and purse.”
The purse was a red velvet drawstring bag. She had really gone all in on the outfit. I appreciated her making it special. She was going to be a hit. Just her being there was going to attract attention to my display.
I helped her into the limo and offered her a glass of champagne. “I’ve never felt so fancy,” she said. “I’m just getting to experience all kinds of firsts with you.”
“I’m glad I get to share the firsts with you,” I said.
“Any more from your ex?” she asked.
I had given her a very condensed version of events. I did not tell her what Kelly said about her specifically. “Nothing,” I replied.
“Do you think she’ll show up?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered. “I’m guessing she didn’t get an official invite, which was why she was trying to hook up with me. But I know Kelly and she doesn’t give up easily. This party is going to be the one she wants to be at. She’ll find a way to get in. She’ll find some poor sucker who needs a plus-one.”
“Great,” she groaned. “She’s going to be pissed I’m in her spot.”
“It’s not her spot and she can be pissed all she wants,” I said. “It changes nothing.”
“Who else will be there?” she asked. “I brought along some cards this time. That way people can contact me or the charity directly. There’s no reason you have to field calls for me.”
I didn’t flinch, but it felt like I’d been slapped. Kelly’s warning was flashing through my head with a red flag. Was that what this was about? The whole getup was bound to attract attention. Was that what was happening? She wanted people to notice her so she would have an excuse to talk about her nonprofit.
“Good plan,” I murmured.
“I’m really looking forward to tonight,” she said and grabbed my hand. “Will everyone have toys on display?”
“Usually,” I said. “It might just be videos or pictures. It’s not really about presenting products. It’s to kind of check out what everyone is doing, and I suppose we get to brag a little.”
“I plan on bragging about you,” she said.
I offered a tight smile and stared straight ahead. Kelly had gotten under my skin. The things she said were making me rethink Noelle’s ambitions. Was I a means to an end? Obviously, I paid her to be at the party, but I was beginning to question everything. The sex. The attention beyond the scope of our contract. Was it all a way for her to get on my good side and make more contacts? Was she going to want anything to do with me after the season was over and I couldn’t take her to the right parties to network?
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Just a little tired.”
The car pulled to a stop. We got out and it was showtime. Cameras flashed in our faces as I escorted Noelle inside. There was extra security on the ground floor. We walked into the ballroom that was made to look like a version of FAO Schwarz or what I imagined kids thought heaven looked like. There were paths made to look like yellow bricks that wound through the massive room. Huge stuffed teddy bears and ride-on trains big enough for adults were scattered around. Eight-foot colorful lollipops with peppermint candies as big as my hand were propped up in piles of fake snow.
“This is incredible,” Noelle gasped. “I’m getting Candyland and Big and the Wizard of Oz all in one. Toss in a little winter wonderland and it’s just so awesome! Is it like this every year?”
“Not every year,” I said. “There’s our setup.”
The booths were set up to look like gingerbread houses. My team had been working on the setup for days. I insisted on two rocking chairs on the “front porch” for Noelle and me to sit in. I didn’t want to look like we were at a craft fair or something cheesy. There was nothing cheesy about my company’s block. It looked pretty damn cool.
“I love it,” she said. “I love how real all of this feels. Kids would love this.”
“From the looks of it, the adults are loving a return to childhood,” I said.
