Chapter 6

Chapter 6

A Christmas Affair

HOLLY

The hairstylist just finished giving me a fresh haircut, blowout, and style. My hair had never looked shiner or healthier.

"Wow, you are an artist," I gushed while fluffing my hair on either side. I glanced at the grumpy brooding man sitting not ten feet away.

"I know," Henrietta agreed with zero humility and a saucy purse of her lips.

Henrietta was a stunning trans woman who confided that she used to go by the name Henry, after I mentioned I'd never met a Henrietta before. Apparently, her momma was none too happy that there would be a name change along with her child's transition. And not because she had a problem with her child's choice to identify as a woman. That actually did not factor in her mother's reaction at all. It had everything to do with the fact that Henrietta's grandfather was named Henry, and mom wanted to keep the name in the family. Together, they came up with Henrietta, because it was closest to the grandfather's name, and it also felt more genuine to Henrietta in her transition. I found this all incredibly sweet and hilarious, because when she told the story, she acted each person out with hand movements and gestures to boot—a one-person stage show.

She played with my hair and smiled wide. "Alana scooped me up and added me to her glam team when I filled in for one of her regulars. It's been true love and beauty between us ever since. Right, Big A?" she hollered loud enough for Alana to hear where she stood across the room going through a rack of extraordinary designer dresses.

"Of course, ma petite fleur . When I see a unique talent such as yours, I must have it for my team," Alana confirmed without taking her eyes off the clothing. "This is magnifique !" Alana gasped. "Holly, what do you think?"

I turned my head, and my mouth dropped open. It was my favorite color, forest green and made entirely out of beads and sequins. The dress had spaghetti straps and a heart-shaped neckline that would make my girls look fabulous. The top was interspersed with beads, sequins, and illusion mesh, making it ultra-sexy. The bottom was draped with fabric sequins all the way to the floor that came together at the hip where a daring slit pulled away.

It was phenomenal.

"Holy shit, Alana," I breathed then popped out of the stylist chair and dashed to her side. I touched and petted the dress as though it were a living breathing thing. And after I saw the $10,000 price tag, I was sure I'd have to feed and water the damn thing before touching it again.

"She can't wear that," Bruno announced at the same time I said, "I can't wear that."

Alana looked at Bruno with daggers in her gaze before it softened when she addressed me. "Do you not like it, chérie ?"

I shook my head repeatedly. "No, I do." I reached out but thought better of it and dropped my hand to my side. I'd never owned anything that expensive outside of my car and even that was a hand-me-down my dad gave me when they upgraded one of their cars several years ago. "I mean, it's beautiful, but far too expensive."

"Not to mention completely inappropriate for a first date," Bruno grumbled.

I spun around and braced my hands to my hips and glared at the man. "Is this how you're going to be all the time? Opinionated and combative? Because if you are, I have no problem requesting a new guard like that other candidate did. Just because you saved my life doesn't mean you get to dictate how I live it."

Bruno's jaw flexed and his lips twisted into a snarl. "Duly noted. I apologize. I just meant that it's rather revealing and—"

"Pssshttt!" I snorted. "Revealing is the point, is it not, Alana? The bidders need a sample of the merchandise. I know I would want to see the goods before I paid millions for something."

Alana smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way, Holly, because as a reminder, at the auction, we have a lingerie portion where you will be wearing very little."

"Makes sense," I said at the same time Bruno said, "The fuck you are!"

Once again, I rounded on Bruno, but this time I stomped over to him and stood toe-to-toe. He was a solid six inches taller than my five feet eight inches, but that didn't deter me in the least. Fire raced down my spine as my frustration boiled over.

I pointed right at his chest with purpose. "What did I say not ten seconds ago, Mister Grumpy Pants? You do not get to dictate what I do with my life. And why are you bothering anyway?"

He raised his hands and backed up a few steps, shaking his head. "Jesus, Holly, I'm sorry. Truly I am. It is not my place. I think you three have this covered. I don't need to be here for this. I'm going to check in with my team. I'll be in the conference room when you're ready to leave," he spouted and took off.

My shoulders fell, and the anger dissipated while my frustration still simmered. "What the heck has that guy's panties in a twist?" I huffed and made my way back to Alana.

"God, it's so obvious, girl," Henrietta smacked her lips as she applied new gloss.

"What is?"

"That man is into you," she said.

I frowned and gnawed on my bottom lip. "What are you talking about?"

Henrietta smirked but didn't say anything, so I focused my attention on Alana. "Any help here?"

Alana simply smiled.

"Oh, for heaven's sake child," Henrietta blurted. "He likes you. So much so that he doesn't want any man seeing you in that hot-as-fuck dress, or prancing around the auction in your skivvies."

I waved my hand at Henrietta. "Puh-leeze. Bruno's given me no indication he likes me. As a matter of fact, I'd have suspected the opposite if he didn't save me a few days ago." I shook my head. "Ya know, that's probably what it is. He feels responsible for me somehow. Alana, what do you think?"

Alana batted her eyelashes and shrugged her shoulder with visible nonchalance. "I do not know one way or the other. Perhaps you should discuss it with him tonight in your shared suite."

"Shared suite? You mean I'm rooming with him?"

Dread, thick as molasses, filled my gut. If Bruno was already mad—and I had no clue why he would be so upset—I'd chosen to participate in the auction, living with him for the next three weeks was going to be the pits. But no way would I complain; I was being offered an opportunity of a lifetime.

Alana narrowed her eyes. "Darling, I cannot keep you protected if he's not sharing the same space. However, you have your own rooms with a living space separating them. Is that not acceptable?" she cooed.

"Uh, no, it's…um…fine. I'll make it work. How's about we change the subject and I try on that dress?"

"Fabulous!" Alana beamed as she passed the gorgeous dress to me. "There's a privacy screen over there you can use."

"Awesome," I said and took the dress behind the screen. "So, what's this date tomorrow going to be like? Do they tell you in advance?" I shucked my clothes into a pile on the floor and stared at the most incredible dress I'd ever seen hanging before me. It stole my breath it was so beautiful. Reminded me of something a Hollywood starlet would wear, not a bartender from Las Vegas.

" Oui, chérie. We are informed of every detail. Colin is taking you to an industry charity event and silent auction in Los Angeles. Very luxe. Many celebrities will be in attendance. It's red carpet so the dress needs to be fashionable and expensive. Alas, you needn't worry about a thing. The price of this dress, your shoes, jewelry and everything included for the trip comes out of Mr. Omstead's expenses. He chose the event and set the expectation specifically for the type of woman he wanted to have on his arm. You fit the request perfectly."

"I'm going to Los Angeles tomorrow. As in, California?" I squealed as I pulled the dress up my body and stood as high up on tiptoe as possible so I wouldn't drag the fabric along the ground.

Both Alana and Henrietta gasped at the sight of me in the dress when I came around the partition.

"You look like a Christmas present ready to be unwrapped, sister!" Henrietta exclaimed.

"Oh chérie , you are too beautiful for words. This dress was made for you," Alana added.

I tiptoed over to the full-length mirror and inspected myself. I didn't recognize the elegant woman standing before me. She was me, but not. She was the me I knew deep down in my soul I could be.

"It's perfect. I feel like a million dollars." I turned from side to side inspecting it from every angle, especially the daring open back. The dress showed everything and nothing at the same time.

Alana approached and gently grasped my arms on either side from behind. We both stared at my reflection in the mirror.

"It will be a Christmas affair to remember, my darling. Take it all in, Holly, because your entire life is about to change."