CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

KIM

My gown fits perfectly. It’s made of pink lace and shows off my figure. A slit reveals my legs. I wore this once, down the runway. It was nice of Versace to give it to me.

My mother has tried to take it several times, but I’ve always stopped her. I didn’t think I’d ever wear it out, but here’s my chance. I’ve been saving it for something special, and tonight is it.

Josh has to attend a charity event. I don’t know what it’s for, but his mother wants her sons to be there. It’s cute how four grown men can’t say no to their mother.

So tonight, I’m trying to pull off sophisticated. My hair is straight and glossy, my eyes smokey. But the rest of me is understated. Don’t want to outshine this dress.

Knuckles rap on the door. I grab my clutch and hurry toward it. My heels are tall, but they don’t bother me. Modeling has its benefits. I’m used to heels like this. That doesn’t mean, though, that my feet won’t be killing me by the end of the night.

I open the door, and Josh is standing there in his tux. Don’t know who’s more surprised, me or him. He’s lip-smacking handsome; I knew he’d look good in a tux. Every woman in the place will be checking him out.

He has yet to speak. That’s because he’s ogling me. I turn to show him just how low the back dips. I can feel the material brushing against the top of my ass.

For some reason, Josh isn’t thrilled.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?”

He points at me and shakes his head. “You can’t wear that dress.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“The back. It shows too much. You need to find something else.”

It’s low, but I never thought he would have this kind of reaction.

“Josh, we don’t have time for me to change. Besides, I don’t have anything else that would work.” I walk out the door, and Josh is forced to follow. “Just stand behind me, and no one will ever be able to see my back. Problem solved.”

Things stay quiet as we go down the elevator and get into the car.

“I don’t like other men seeing so much of you,” he says.

I understand, but he can’t be telling me what to wear. And besides, if he weren’t with me, I wouldn’t have the nerve to wear a dress like this. I’m more fearless with him at my side.

When we pull up to the event, Josh unfolds from the backseat and helps me out. I make sure my dress is in place before he puts his hand on my naked back. He’s showing ownership… And I like it.

I ignore the photographers and reporters as we walk through the doors. Can’t wait to see what the other girls are wearing tonight.

The Daltons paid for a table, so Rachel and Beth will be here, too. I can’t wait.

I spot our little group not long after we enter. They aren’t very hard to find—the Dalton boys tower over the rest of the crowd.

Josh stays at my back while we walk over to them. My friends gasp. They’re happy to see that I’m wearing the dress out in public. I stop and give a little twirl when we get close. The girls squeal, and Josh glares at his brothers. Get over it.

My friends huddle together like we’re sixteen, then someone hollers my name.

You have got to be kidding me. I thought Mom would be back in New York by now. She doesn’t like Chicago. I brace myself.

“Kimberly, what are you doing here? I almost thought I was seeing things. And you’re wearing the Versace gown. Ooh…” She hunches her shoulders and scrunches her nose like someone just passed gas. “I don’t know if that’s appropriate, dear. It appears you’ve gained some weight.”

I hate it when she does this in front of people. Now Josh has to hear her. I’m about ready to run away, crying, when Josh massages my back. He points at my mom with his free hand. His finger is shaking. “Don’t ever talk to her like that again, you withered old––”

I stop him from continuing.

Mom is livid.

“I’ll see you later, Mom,” I say, take Josh’s hand, and we make our escape.

“I’m sorry,” he says as we walk. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that.”

“That’s okay,” I tell him. “That’s okay.”