Driving Tempo

by Thomas, Raine

  Lily frowned. “You arranged this lawsuit just to get this interview?”

  “No. I dated you to get this interview.”

  Archer saw the comment hit Lily like a blow. Her spine snapped straight.

  “You didn’t really think I’d want to get involved with someone like you, did you?” Wingerson said as he got to his feet and tucked his recorder into his pants pocket. “Tiny tits, zero personality, and so selfish you wouldn’t even give a guy a leg-up with an interview with your best friend. It’s a miracle I could get it up with you.”

  Archer got slowly to his feet. Lily also stood but with more speed. She placed herself in front of Archer, likely knowing he was about to throw Wingerson through the glass door in a spectacular display of fury.

  “I guess that explains why the sex with you was so epically bad,” Lily said conversationally. “I did wonder. Oh...by the way, you should know that only about a quarter of what we told you in that interview is actually true. Since you signed a legal agreement to publish only a true and factual article, good luck with your fact-checking.”

  Wingerson’s mouth fell open. “You’re bullshitting me.”

  “Nope,” she said as she grabbed her purse and settled the strap over her shoulder. “Nothing in the agreement said we had to be honest in the interview. I’d say you’ll be lucky to get that article publication-worthy in the next couple months.”

  “I think we’ll have to make sure every question he just asked us in this interview gets asked by other, much more talented writers who interview us in the very near future,” Archer said to Lily as he guided her towards the conference room door.

  “I’ll make some calls,” she said.

  “You can’t do this!” Wingerson shouted as they exited the room.

  Shelley lifted an eyebrow as they passed her on the way out. “Sounds like I still have some work to do.”

  “Thanks for taking care of everything,” Archer told her.

  “That’s what you pay me for,” she said with a wink. “Enjoy the rest of your day, you two.”

  “We will.”

  Archer took Lily’s hand. Trey and Ryan escorted them to the elevator. The sound of Wingerson’s outrage faded as the attorneys all returned to the conference room and closed the door.

  Once they were securely on the elevator, Archer turned to Lily. “You know I love you, right?”

  “Yep. And I love you too, which is why I couldn’t let you tear his face off for being an asshole.”

  He lifted her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “Always taking away my fun.”

  She snorted.

  “You know,” he said casually, “I can’t say that I lied at any point in that interview.”

  “Yeah, well, he doesn’t have to know that. Tiny tits my ass,” she muttered.

  Either Ryan or Trey abruptly coughed as though covering a laugh. By the time Archer glanced at them, they were both studiously watching the floor numbers descend.

  “You should have let me rip his face off for the insult to your breasts alone,” he said to Lily.

  “I am insulted,” she decided. “I think you’ll have to give my self-esteem a boost later.”

  “Hot damn,” he said.

  “This job is never boring,” Ryan observed to Trey as the elevator doors opened.

  “Amen,” Trey said.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  A week after her first appointment with Tierney to decide on her wedding gown design, Lily was back for her first fitting. The turnaround time was remarkable, according to Rosemary. Lily figured it helped that Tierney was still so up-and-coming that she didn’t have many other obligations right then. From what Lily had gathered based on some of the things Tierney had said, she had been working on the dress during her every waking moment.

  “This is still just the base of the dress,” Tierney explained as she opened the curtain to the dressing room and revealed the plastic-covered fabric hanging against one wall. “I’ll begin adding the overlay and accents we discussed this week.”

  Lily felt the smile bloom across her face as she saw what would soon become her wedding gown. Tierney had suggested a shade of white with a golden undertone to best suit Lily’s fair skin. Lily hadn’t been able to picture the color, but now that she saw it under the light she completely agreed that it was better than stark white for her complexion.

  “Let’s get you into it so I can make any adjustments,” Tierney said. “It may be hard to visualize the finished product without the sheer paneling and design elements in place. I don’t want you to panic.”

  “Don’t worry, Tierney,” Lily assured her as she started getting undressed. “I trust you. This dress is going to be stunning. I’ve been sneaking hints onto social media.”

  “Believe me, we’ve noticed,” Tierney chuckled, including her business partner, Catarina, in her response. “It’s only been a week since you started posting about working with us and our phone won’t stop ringing. The offers we’re being made...Lily, I owe you big time. Like firstborn big.”

  Lily smiled. It thrilled her to know she’d had such a big impact on Tierney and Catarina’s business. After her gown fitting, Lily was going to sit for a boudoir shoot with Catarina. It hadn’t ever been something she’d considered doing, but seeing the sample work done by Catarina hanging on the studio’s walls, Lily knew she had to do it. The photos would be her wedding gift to Dane, who had no idea she was doing it.

  “I’m happy to hear it,” Lily said. She stepped into the gown as Tierney held it for her. “Soon I’ll be able to say I remember them when.”

  Tierney grinned. “Well any time you need a dress designed, I’ll drop everything. I swear it.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. The Grammy nominations aren’t all that far off.”

  Letting out a little squeal, Tierney said, “You’d better not be joking. Holy shit!”

  Lily laughed. Tierney’s excitement was both heartwarming and contagious. She felt some of it wash over her as she looked at herself in the shell of her future wedding dress. The fit felt phenomenal. The gown conformed to Lily’s upper body, then eased gradually out into a soft flare below her thighs. It had a short, flowing train that she knew would look beautiful in photos.

  “This is where the illusion paneling will go,” Tierney said, using her hand to draw imaginary lines along Lily’s chest above the sweetheart neckline, then turning Lily to include the deep V of the plunging back that highlighted her backside and the curve of her hips. “There will be a row of buttons down the back and we’ll frame it all with the floral detailing we discussed along the outer edges here.”

  Lily nodded. She could almost picture it and knew it would work wonderfully in the venue they’d chosen.

  “Did you buy your wedding shoes yet?” Tierney asked.

  “Oh, yes. I forgot to put them on.”

  Lily turned to the huge hobo bag she’d brought with her and pulled out the shoe box. She opened it to reveal the shoes her friend, Aria, had gifted her. They were the exact shade of eggplant purple Lily had chosen as one of her wedding colors. Rather than a stiletto heel, these shoes had delicate wedges that would allow Lily to more easily stand and walk on the grass at the conservatory. They had been accented with numerous diamante crystals in the same vine pattern as her engagement ring, and they included slender ribbons that wound around Lily’s ankles...something she knew would drive her future husband wild.

  “Oh, Lily,” Tierney gushed as she pulled them out and assisted Lily into them. “These are beyond dazzling!”

  “Thanks.”

  Once the shoes were on, the fitting continued with Tierney making sure the length of the skirt was right, then pulling, tucking, and pinning fabric until she was satisfied. When she was done, she led Lily out of the dressing room to a small raised platform on the design side of the studio. The platform was centered between a trio of full-length mirrors and highlighted with flattering pin lights, making Lily feel like she was on display. It didn’t bo
ther her too much since the only people there were her, Tierney, Catarina, and Ryan, who had been relegated to her plus-one for the day. Rosemary had another client appointment at the same time as this one, Sydney had already started back to work, Aria was on location for a photo shoot, and Dane wasn’t allowed to see her yet.

  “Wow,” Catarina said as she joined Tierney and Ryan near the platform. “You’ve outdone yourself, T. And you make a stunning bride, Lily.”

  Lily saw the pink flush working its way along her chest and into her neck. “Stop it or you’ll have me looking sunburned in an instant,” she joked, rubbing at her exposed throat.

  The other women laughed. “Let me get the veil,” Tierney said, hurrying to a room through a door in the back of the studio.

  “How will you be wearing your hair?” Catarina asked, climbing onto the platform with Lily.

  “I haven’t fully decided yet.”

  “Up.”

  Lily and Catarina turned and looked at Ryan, who had issued the comment. He also joined them on the platform and gave a Lily a questioning look. Understanding that he was asking her permission to demonstrate, she nodded.

  “Like this,” he said, gathering her unbound hair and holding it in a loose design at the nape of her neck. “Curls twined in an elegant and artful style that will reflect the flowing vine designs in the rest of your look. You can accent it with a few pieces of floral woven into it.”

  Catarina gasped. “That’s perfect!”

  “I love it,” Tierney declared, thrusting a box of bobby pins at Ryan as she returned with Lily’s veil. “Catarina, go steal a few blooms from the centerpiece in the entryway.”

  Lily started to object. She didn’t want them dismantling centerpieces for her. Catarina had hopped off the platform and Ryan was already getting started on her hair, so Lily just decided to go with it. Tierney turned her away from the mirrors while they all worked on her, making Lily feel just a little ridiculous.

  “This is just an overall feel for the look,” Ryan warned her. “A professional stylist will do it much better than me.”

  Giving him an appreciative smile, Lily assured him, “I’m grateful for the effort. You’re helping me make a fun memory. Thanks.”

  “Okay,” Tierney said after a few more minutes.

  They turned her around. Lily’s eyes widened. Her chest constricted as emotion overwhelmed her.

  She looked truly beautiful.

  Ryan had been spot-on with the hairstyle. It was sweet, romantic, and sophisticated. The long, diaphanous veil had been inserted beneath her curls. It hung all the way to the end of her train. She would easily be able to remove it after the ceremony without it affecting the hairstyle.

  “I can’t believe that’s me,” she sniffled, gratefully accepting the tissues extended to her by Tierney. “Dane’s going to lose his mind.”

  “I’m so glad you’re happy,” Tierney said, using a tissue herself. “You really look amazing, Lily.”

  “Let’s take some photos so you can remember this moment and have this example to share with your stylist,” Catarina suggested.

  Lily agreed, asking them to use her phone to take the photos. A few minutes later, she was back in the dressing room and Tierney was helping her get out of the gown. Catarina came with them.

  “Let’s see what you brought for your shoot,” she said as Lily was stepping out of the gown.

  “Sure,” Lily said. “It’s in the bag there.”

  Catarina took the hobo bag and stepped out of the dressing room to give Lily and Tierney space to maneuver. After examining the items Lily had packed, the photographer nodded.

  “This is great. Let’s start with his shirt and whatever underwear you’d like to wear. We’ll ease you into this since it’ll be a new experience for you.”

  Lily already felt heat building in her cheeks. “Okay.”

  “And as much as I love the hairdo, we’ll want your hair down for this.”

  “Got it.”

  It took Lily ten more minutes to get herself ready, both style-wise and confidence-wise. Seeing herself looking so good in the three mirrors definitely helped, but she knew she was about to get much more intimate with a camera on her the entire time. She almost reconsidered doing the shoot. Eventually, though, she pulled the curtain aside and headed out to Catarina’s side of the studio with Ryan trailing in her wake. She deliberately ignored the air brushing over her naked legs as she walked.

  Thank God Dane’s shirt covered her to mid-thigh.

  The lighting on this side was softer, Lily realized as she passed through the arched doorway between the studios. She saw several staging areas, including a wrought iron bed and a furniture grouping with a chaise, sofa, and two chairs. All of the furniture had an elegant, feminine feel.

  “Come on in,” Catarina said from her position near a lighting contraption of some kind. “There’s champagne in the bucket. I’ve found it helps my brides to have a drink or two to loosen them up before we start.”

  Who was Lily to argue? She walked over to the bucket and poured herself a glass. Not caring about her audience, she drank the entire glass in less than a minute.

  Catarina laughed. “It won’t be that bad. Promise.”

  She was true to her word. Between Catarina’s confident coaching, a couple glasses of champagne, and Lily’s desire to make these photos an unforgettable gift for Dane, she soon found herself having a great time. They took numerous photos of Lily in the shirt, most of them without it buttoned. Lily felt sure there were a few that Dane would love.

  Catarina sent her back to the dressing room to change into one of the other outfits she’d brought with her. Lily spent several minutes wavering over which of the two ensembles to pick. One was more of a sexy, knee-length pajama set. The black nightgown was sheer except for the peekaboo black and pink lace bodice. It was paired with a sheer, knee-length robe with long, flowing sleeves. The second outfit was a new lingerie set she had bought consisting of a lacy demi-bra and what she supposed constituted panties. It was a tiny triangle of lace held in place by several thins straps that wove around her hips. The bra also had strings that laced around her ribcage. She had chosen it knowing how much Dane loved laces. Now, she wondered if it was too over-the-top.

  She poked her head out of the dressing room looking for Tierney or Catarina. The only one there was Ryan, who turned to look at her from his post beside the curtain.

  “Help,” she said, opening the curtain to reveal the two outfits hanging beside each other. “Classy or slutty?”

  He stepped closer and scanned the outfits. After a moment of consideration, he took the robe from the nightgown set and placed it on the hangar of the lingerie set. Then he lifted the hangar and handed it to her.

  “Hot,” he said.

  Grinning, she took it from him and gave him a push back out so she could close the curtain. “That’s why I have you around.”

  “I’ll make sure Red adds it to my job description.”

  She laughed.

  The rest of the session went just as well as it started. By the time Lily returned to the dressing room yet again to change, she felt like a sultry sex goddess. Catarina was a magician behind the lens.

  As she was changing back into her regular clothes, Lily heard someone outside the curtain say, “Um, hi. This is for Lily—um, Ms. Montgomery.”

  “Who are you?” Ryan asked.

  Lily moved the curtain enough to see out and spotted a tall young woman standing a few feet from Ryan. She had vivid green eyes and long dark hair, wore a little too much makeup in Lily’s mind, and had on a wildly-patterned ankle-length dress paired with a light cardigan. In her ring-bedecked hands was a deep purple negligee.

  “Um, I’m Pru—Prudence Highwater. Cat’s summer intern. She thought Ms. Montgomery would like to try this since it matches her wedding colors.”

  Lily almost opened the curtain to accept the negligee. The young woman looked terrified of Ryan, and the negligee was rather lovely.

>   Then she wondered why Catarina had never mentioned an intern and stopped herself.

  “I need to see your identification,” Ryan said.

  “O-of course,” Pru stammered. “I’ll go get it.”

  She all but threw the negligee at Ryan and hurried down the hall. Ryan started after her. Lily rushed to finish getting her clothes on, anxious to see what was going on. Once she had on her shorts and T-shirt, she ran barefoot out to the studio. Neither Ryan nor Pru was anywhere in sight.

  “What was that all about?” Tierney asked, looking towards the studio’s front door. She had just come from the back storage room holding a couple bolts of fabric. “Who was that woman your hot bodyguard just chased out the door?”

  Lily’s eyes widened. “He did?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What’s going on?” Catarina asked as she joined them from her studio. “Was that Specialist Westbrook I just saw running down the street after that transvestite?”

  “Your intern is a transvestite?” Lily asked, thoroughly baffled.

  “I don’t have an intern,” Catarina said.

  Lily’s knees grew weak as her brain caught up. “Why would you say she was a transvestite?”

  “The Adam’s apple,” Catarina said. “And the legs I saw when she ran. Those were very masculine legs.”

  Lily hadn’t noticed an Adam’s apple, but she’d been distracted by the makeup and the bold outfit. She supposed that had been the point of the disguise.

  Only one person she could think of would bother wearing a disguise to get to her.

  Somehow the man who had been stalking her had not only managed to waltz right into the studio without anyone seeing or stopping him, he had been bold enough to approach Ryan directly. He even knew enough about Lily’s life that he’d bought her a negligee in the exact shade of eggplant in her wedding’s color scheme.

  Since returning to L.A. she had managed to convince herself that the stalker must have lost interest in her once the tour ended. There hadn’t been a single sign of him in a full month.