Sofia shrugged. With a teasing smirk, she looked to a chuckling Runa and stated plainly, "A girl's gotta have secrets." But I could do with one less.
"Truth," Runa agreed with a snicker.
Reyna shook her head in defiance. "Well, I have none."
"I don't know…" Runa leaned forward, propping one elbow on her knee and resting her chin in her palm. Those bright blue eyes bubbled with mischief as she studied Reyna carefully. "I'd bet good money there's one somewhere."
The visible lump that rolled down Reyna's throat had Sofia suppressing a laugh. Judging by the reaction Reyna had had to their new client, one secret would definitely be her instant crush. As much fun as it was to watch her usually calm and cool best friend squirm, Sofia directed their attention back to the business at hand. "Runa, do you have a dress appropriate for a gallery opening?"
"Pfft, no." She laughed. "Look at me. I'm all sportswear and jeans."
"Can you wear heels?"
"I hate them, but yes."
"Actually, I guess I should ask if you even want to wear a dress? Or do you prefer a pant suit? We want you comfortable."
"I'm not sure how comfortable I'll be either way. I've worn a little of both over the years. I'll defer to your expertise. Obviously, what I've been doing hasn't been working."
"Great. Reyna can help you shop." Reyna's eyes widened at the suggestion, but Sofia ignored her. "Set up a time and she will take you around and help you pick something out that will state loud and clear that you are no longer a little girl." Sofia's stomach turned as she spoke the words. Thank heavens she didn't vomit. "Do you like the museum?"
"Never really been."
"Does Allie know that?"
"Probably. I've always been more sports and bars."
"Do you have a friend you can take? Someone that will really look like just a friend? And not her sister."
"I don't know. A lot of my friends are guys, but they'd probably feel like it was a date. Marley would be...no. No, I guess I don't."
"Hmm...okay. Here's the plan. Rey, would you accompany Runa Saturday night? You can definitely play it casual and give her the space she needs. Plus, Runa would have someone there in case she needed any advice."
Reyna considered the suggestion. After a moment, she visibly relaxed and nodded her head. A wide, cat-ate-the-canary grin took shape as she seemingly came to terms with suppressing her desires and spending time with Runa—a feat that swirled a tinge of jealousy in Sofia's chest. Without even meeting Allie, she'd been stuck in a mighty struggle that showed no signs of ending.
"Free food, free booze, and a building full of stuffy banker-types? What girl wouldn't?" Reyna laughed. "I'll pick you up at six."
"I can just meet you there, if it's easier."
"No way. We can review the game plan and then I'll be there if you need a ride. Or...you won't have to worry about your car if Allie should happen to offer to drive you home." Reyna threw Runa a suggestive wink.
"Ahhh, gotcha." She winked back. "I'm in. So, what else do I need to know?"
The pair were off and running and Sofia could only sit back and try to suppress the nausea sweeping through her. She should probably step back and let Rey handle all of it, but that wasn't her style. Besides, there was no real reason to do so. As much as it hurt to try and match her client with the captivating Allie O' Leary, it was like watching a sickening viral video on repeat—like the one Reyna had made her watch a few years back. A football player had taken a vicious hit to the knee causing his leg to twist and come to rest facing backward. The sight caused her to lose her lunch that afternoon and yet, she watched it seven more times in repulsive awe. She couldn't turn away and couldn't even explain why. In the end, Sofia hoped this thing, whatever it was, would pass quickly and far less painfully. Then, she could go back to her uncomplicated life.
Refocusing on the job at hand, Sofia leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees as she regained her professional persona. She looked Runa in the eye and said, "Here's what you're going to do."
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Hey, sis," Allie greeted as she dropped her bag by the door and collapsed into the comfy leather lounger. With a subtle kick, her black heels fell to the floor, accompanied by a sigh of relief.
"Hey, yourself. What's shakin', bacon?" Kat eyed her sister curiously. Exhaustion had forged hard lines into her soft features. Was the new job really worth the hassle? Allie had repeatedly stated it would be in the long run, so she had been doing her best to be supportive. The whole dating someone "relationship worthy," however, had thrown her for a loop. Over the last few years, Allie had gone from good-time girl to serious professional, virtually swearing off a social life. Outside of a couple of short-lived relationships, Allie had never been that serious about anyone.
Well, there was the time when Allie was fifteen and she swore she'd marry that Backstreet Boy…oh, what was his name? Anyway, that had quickly switched to some actress that starred in one cool action flick and was never seen again. Since then, however, Kat hadn't heard Allie mention the word once, not even in joking, and she hadn't been able to get it off her mind.
Hours of debate had been waged privately over several beers as she considered the pros and cons of meddling in the matter, but of course, she would. Her big sister would continue to drown herself in work unless she stepped in—damned overachiever. Fortunately, she had come up with the perfect solution.
Kat strode to the fridge, giving Allie a moment to decompress. She grabbed two Corona's, popped the tops, and returned to the living room. She handed one to her sister, then curled up on the opposite end, bringing her feet underneath her.
"Thanks. I need this, big time." Allie sat up and took several large gulps, then pulled back with a gasped "ahhhhhh." Once she'd caught her breath, she said, "It was a crazy long day. I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight. Want a pizza?"
"You paying?"
"Don't I always?"
"Yes, and I love you for it."
Allie smiled. "You're welcome."
"Thank you for taking care of this poor grad student."
"Order whatever you want. I'm going to get changed." At the hallway, she called out over her shoulder, "I was a poor grad student once too, you know?"
"Yeah, back when gas was fifty cents a gallon and a loaf of bread was a nickel," Kat replied with maximal smugness. A cheeky grin met Allie's look of shock.
"I'm not that much older than you."
"But you are older," Kat said. "Now hurry up, grandma." She snickered. "See if you can make it back before the pizza arrives."
Allie threw her head back in a laugh. "Careful, or grandma may forget where she keeps her money."
Now this was the Allie she knew—fun and carefree. Good thing she had come over to break her out of her rut. "It's in your underwear drawer."
Allie's head snapped up. "Kat!" she screeched.
"What?" Kat wore a mask of innocence. Allie had kept her money in the same place throughout their youth. It wasn't going out on a limb to assume it hadn't changed.
"Stay out of my drawers."
"No worries. I'm not into chicks," she answered, then let out a boisterous cackle. "And relax, I didn't take anything. I'll definitely be staying out of your bottom bathroom cabinet drawer though." Her brows wriggled in a suggestive dance.
"Oh my God!" Allie ran to her room and slammed the door.
Kat's head fell back from the raucous laughter and she couldn't help but goad her sister a bit more. "Did you buy that blue one in person? I don't think I'd have had the guts to-"
A muffled "shut up" carried down the hall. Allie's annoyance was not to be missed, which sent Kat into an even bigger fit of laughter. That was something she had found—totally by accident—while searching for Benadryl when Allie had been out of town.
Allie cracked open her door and yelled out, "You're never house sitting again. The plants can fend for themselves."
"Sure, sure. I'm ordering pizza now." Kat pulled out her phone a
nd smiled. "Good times," she said to herself as she pulled up the delivery app. With a few taps, food was on the way. Once they were settled in, she would reveal her plan. Hopefully, Allie would find the perfect match.
♥♥♥
One hour later, they were kicked back on the couch enjoying beer, pizza, and Diners Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. All earlier teasing had been forgotten. Kat eyed Allie long and hard, drawing her attention with a sideways glance. "What's on your mind, Kat?"
"I've been thinking about your dilemma."
Allie narrowed her eyes. "I don't have a dilemma."
"You said you were ready for a serious relationship and you were all emo that the places you'd been frequenting lacked in that department."
"Oh, that." One corner of her mouth took a downward turn toward a frown. "I wouldn't call that a dilemma. It's not something that has to be solved right now. I've got too much going on with work."
"Okay, so not an urgent need, but I was thinking-"
"Uh oh."
"Hear me out." Kat scooted forward and turned toward Allie. "How about online dating?"
Allie rolled her eyes and leaned back into the couch. "Definitely no." Her color turned a shade of green, the very idea seemingly making her nauseous.
"What? Why not? It's on your own terms. Plus, you can screen them first. You don't have to deal with getting hit on by losers all night because your boobs are so damn awesome, they can't stay away. I know three people who have met their forever person online."
"I don't know, Kat. I prefer to meet someone and see if we have chemistry."
"Oh right, 'chemistry.' I know just what you mean," she said with a huff. "That's how I choose my hookups."
Allie threw a pillow at her and sighed. "No, you goob. Not like lust. I mean, yes, I want someone I'm attracted to, but I mean chemistry—like a connection beyond wanting to jump their bones. That won't happen with an online profile. Besides, people lie on those too much and I'd just be wondering what's real."
"Point taken. But come on, maybe it won't be the way you're thinking, but who knows, maybe you find a profile and BAM!" She clapped her hands together, making Allie jump. "It's love at first meet."
"I don't know. And I'm not so sure it happens that instantaneously, despite Mom and Dad's story. I think it needs to build, but I've never met anyone that captured my attention enough to pursue a relationship…at least in my adult life."
"Ever the doubter." Kat rolled her eyes. "Just think about it. It would help break up this monotonous lifestyle you've fallen into. You're boring and exhausted and you deserve more. Of course, maybe you'll meet someone at that fancy art thing you have to go to Saturday."
"A room full of bankers and stuffy rich folks? Doubtful. I'm just going to trust that the universe has a plan for me. But if I get tired of waiting, I'll consider your plan. Deal?"
"Deal. You want ice cream?"
"Always."
CHAPTER NINE
The thin wall of the tiny changing stall was all that separated Reyna's near naked body from her new client's eyes. The thought sent a prickle of excitement skittering across her skin, stretching the hairs on her arms toward the ceiling and sending her blood rushing everywhere but her head. She slipped on another dress, then lifted on her tip toes to peek over the top of the barrier. Shelly, the tall, waif-like, strawberry blonde salesperson handed Runa another glass of white wine with an unnecessarily cheery smile.
Shelly was new to Nancy's Dress Shop and Reyna didn't like her one bit. Like some form of slow torture, Reyna had silently endured Shelly's subtle flirtations for the last hour and a half. Fortunately, Runa had appeared oblivious to Shelly's behavior, so Reyna had been able to keep herself in check. Also helping, was the fact their visit was work related, not a date. There were no grounds to be angry, besides the lack of professionalism they had come to expect from Nancy's.
"Are we done yet?" The pitch of Runa's voice rose to a high-pitched whine. She squirmed in her seat, taking a break from the never-ending dress carousel.
Seemed Runa hadn't been lying when she'd said shopping wasn't her thing. Would it have been different in a sporting goods store? Reyna pondered the question briefly before responding, "Not quite. We haven't found you the panty dropper yet."
"Panty dropper. Too funny." Runa's laugh ended with an adorable snort. "But what was wrong with the gold one? No one could miss that in a crowd."
"No, no. Gold is all wrong for you, but relax, I got a hunch the next one will leave Allie speechless." Reyna swung open the door and assumed her "power stance" in a white satin curve-hugging gown. White was her go-to color. It went well with both her eyes and her skin tone.
Runa lit up at the sight, drinking her in from head to toe. She made no move to hide the fact she was checking her out and Reyna wasn't about to stop her. Shelly didn't garner that kind of attention. The blatant appraisal was the ultimate confidence booster, but also raised the temperature in the room a few hundred degrees. Sweat moistened Reyna's palms, and further down, another type of wetness threatened to burst forth if she didn't pull herself together in a hurry.
"Damn, Reyna. How am I supposed to top you? You're gorgeous."
Reyna smiled and dipped her head to hide the mad rush of heat flooding her cheeks. "I don't think you'll have any trouble," she said softly, smiling when a hint of pink touched Runa's cheeks as well. "Go in and try the next dress."
Runa groaned and pursed her lips into a pout that Reyna found adorable.
"Just one more, please?" Reyna begged, turning on a powerful, irresistible pout of her own. "I bet it's the one."
Giving in, Runa rolled her eyes and huffed before she said, "You're lucky you're so cute when you do that." She stomped her way back into her changing area and examined the latest dress hanging in wait. "We've been at this forever. I don't understand how people enjoy it. Thank goodness they give us alcohol here. It makes me a little more patient. You wouldn't like me if we were doing this at the mall. I probably would have been thrown out by now."
Reyna laughed. "You don't like playing dress up?"
"Never did. I absolutely loathed prom dress shopping. That was the last time I wore a really fancy dress. And the only time I've ever used the word loathed."
Reyna laughed even harder. The woman was sexy and smart, intense one moment and playful the next. She looked like a model, but acted like the tomboy next door. She was practically a dream and yet, so real. "I bet you looked amazing."
She'd looked amazing in everything so far. How could she not? And the double-breasted suit without a blouse had sure as hell looked delectable, but Runa hadn't been comfortable with that level of nakedness in public.
Runa shrugged. "Eh, I don't know. I wasn't out to impress anyone that night." Sadness tinged the admission. "It was all to please my parents and make a good show of it for Kat. This one better be the one or you're in for it, lady," Runa pointed her finger firmly with a glint in her eye.
"Oh? And what, may I ask, are you going to do?" Reyna was enjoying their little banter immensely. She'd always been good with people, but there was an unusual level of comfort with this one.
"Something very wicked, I can assure you." Her voice floated with jest as she turned and pulled the curtain shut. "God, I hate dresses. See what I'm willing to do for you, Allie? Geez."
Hearing Allie's name sobered Reyna. She had gotten lost in the moment and forgotten why the two of them were there in the first place. Heaviness settled in her chest and her smile faded. "It will work, Runa. Have faith." She hoped she sounded convincing.
Minutes later, Runa stepped out slow and cautious, a look of apprehension upon her face. Her fingers repeatedly fidgeted with the long slit of the dress.
"Holy mother..." Words were stolen from Reyna's lips as she laid eyes upon Runa in the long, black, off-the-shoulder gown with gold accents.
"What?" Runa physically recoiled and took a half-step back toward the dressing room. "It's hideous, right? I mean, it's cut so high up my leg I'm pr
obably flashing half of Miami right now." She tried, but failed, to cover herself.
Does she really not know how beautiful she is? "Are you kidding me, Runa? You. Are. Stunning. If Allie doesn't see you as the woman you've become in this dress, then she is a damned fool."
"Really?"
"Really. And when I'm done with your hair and makeup, you're going to blow her mind." You're already blowing mine. "Now stand up straight and let go of the dress. It's supposed to be cut that high." Reyna turned toward the storefront and yelled out, "Shelly, we got a winner."
Shelly hurried back, taking long, awkward steps in her heels. Her smile bordered on leering as she looked Runa over. "I'd say you're right, Reyna. Very nice indeed. You're gonna knock her dead, Runa." Following another lingering glance, Shelly turned to Reyna and said, "I'll wrap up both dresses while you pick out heels, then I'll have it all sent to the office."
Reyna forced a smile and ignored Shelly's behavior—again. It took all she had to refrain from slapping her. The manager would certainly be getting a call. "Excellent. That's why Nancy's is the best. I think we've outdone ourselves this time," Reyna said, then winked, bringing another touch of blush to Runa's cheeks. She locked her arm in Runa's elbow, tossed a little smirk at Shelly, then headed toward the shoes.
♥♥♥
Forty-five minutes later, they stepped out of the boutique. "All that shopping has me starving." Runa rubbed her stomach and searched her surroundings. A growl roared from her stomach.
An equally loud gurgle rumbled from Reyna's belly, causing them both to laugh. "It'll do that to you. How 'bout we grab a little bite?" Reyna asked, hopeful. She knew what her job was, yet she had been enjoying her time with this client and hoped they could be friends after.
"Yes. Sounds great. I'm game for anything."
A slow smile grew into a toothy grin and Reyna said, "I know just the place."
Two blocks later, they stood outside of a little hole-in-the-wall cafe with several tables along the sidewalk. The storefront sign had Chez Raoul painted in fancy red script. Runa frowned and took a cautious step back, skepticism oozing from her pores. "Reyna, I'm seriously not in the mood for food poisoning."
The Love Doctor Page 4
