Page 88 of Fake it For Good
“I guess I’m still winning either way,” I said. “I’m getting contacts and a paycheck. He would be the cherry on top of everything. I would love to have it all, but I know that is unrealistic. I got my Cinderella moment. I got to live the dream. Now it’s over.”
She offered a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry. But don’t give up on the dream just yet. There’s still a chance this could all work out for you.”
In the back of my mind, I didn’t think it could. I went home with my goodies to complete my outfit. I was sure Cane and I would remain friends. At least friendly. I doubted we would ever run into each other on the street, but I was sure I could count on him to donate again next year. It was going to be hard to go back to my life before I met him. He had swept in and shook things up. It wasn’t just the sex. It was fun with him. He made me feel alive.
As if thinking about him conjured him, he called. “Hi,” I answered with a smile. “What’s up?” I was hoping he was going to tell me he was sending a car to pick me up again.
“I wanted to make sure you had the Mrs. Claus getup,” he said.
“I do. I just got the last pieces I needed. What about you?”
He let out a small laugh. “I got the red tie.”
“Does it light up?”
“Yes,” he said, sighing. “I’m going to look ridiculous.”
“You’re going to look festive,” I corrected. “Besides, I’m the one dressing up as Mrs. Claus.”
“And I appreciate it. How are the kids?”
“They are loving their new toys,” I answered. “You really made their day. And I think it was a good idea to give them a little now instead of a pile on Christmas morning. It will save Mrs. Drummond a lot of chaos.”
“I can only imagine ten kids on Christmas morning,” he said, laughing. “I was bad enough.”
“I’m so happy they are going to get Christmas,” I said with a sigh of relief. “You’ve done something very kind for those kids.”
I almost asked if he wanted to come with me to help with dinner. I stopped before the words could come out. He might feel obligated or like I was trying to use him. I was sure he probably had a long list of invitations to parties with his fellow wealthy friends.
“I’m glad I could do something,” he said. “I have to go into a meeting. I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed. Just let me know how much it was and I’ll reimburse you.”
It was like ice water being dumped over my head. “Yeah, okay,” I said. “Bye.”
I put the phone down and stared at it. That was a pretty good reminder I was the hired help.
31
CANE
The limo looked out of place in Noelle’s neighborhood. I was sure the limo driver thought I was crazy. “Right here,” I said. “Give me five minutes.”
I climbed out and started the trek up to her apartment. I didn’t need to do leg day when I was coming to her place. It was a hell of a workout. She had to have some strong legs. They were rather shapely, I thought with a smile. I knocked on her door and waited.
She opened the door, and it was a sea of red. “Wow.” The word escaped my mouth. It was the only thing that came to mind in that moment.
“Is that a good wow or a bad wow?” she asked.
“It’s a good wow,” I said. “You look gorgeous. And authentic. You are going to be the star of the night.”
“Thank you,” she said and ran her hands down the full red dress. Actually, it was a red floor-length dress with gold embroidery along the bottom. Over the dress was a red coat in velvet and lined with the typical white fur of a Santa costume. The dress had a fur-lined hood that made her look like a medieval princess. It was elaborate and beautiful and so much better than the silly costumes Kelly had worn in the past.
“You look like you should be in a movie,” I said. “I’m really taken aback. You’re just stunning.”
“I didn’t want to be an old lady,” she said. “I decided to be the young Mrs. Claus.”
Her blonde hair was done in pretty curls. She truly looked like a winter princess. “I like Mrs. Claus. I love the outfit, but I love the way you put your touch on it. Are you ready?”
She pointed at my tie. “You have to turn it on when we get there.”
