Chapter 19

Iwoke early, excited and terrified for the day, if it was possible to have both those emotions at the same time. Last night, I had called Lauren to see if she was available to go shopping with me. Karen and Rylee were both busy. I had to get a dress for tonight.

Lauren picked me up right at ten. "So, tell me about this thing you need a dress for," Lauren said as she drove downtown.

I hesitated for a moment, debating how much to share. Finally, I decided to open up to her, knowing she was a good friend who wouldn't judge me. "Archer is taking me to his brother's birthday party."

She looked at me. "Archer?"

"The guy I met at the library," I said.

"You're going out with him?"

"Kind of. It's just to his brother's birthday party. And I guess we've had dinner a couple of times."

"Mary Ellen, all of that sounds like going out with him." She laughed. "Do you have a boyfriend, and you don't even realize?"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "He's just helping me with the library situation. That's why we've spent time together."

"Library situation? What is it, like an infestation of bookworms?" She paused and frowned. "Wait, are bookworms real worms?"

"Yes, they're real, but that's not it. I wish I just had worms. They're trying to tear down the library and I want to save it."

Lauren frowned. "It seems like they could just spray the building, right? They don't have to tear the whole place down to clear out some creepy-crawlies."

"Focus, Lauren," I said, snapping my fingers. "There are no worms involved in this story. Unless you count the slimy lady in charge of putting up the condos where the library is."

"So what's the plan?" she asked. "How are you going to save it?"

"Archer suggested we organize a fundraiser. A big fundraiser. He's from a wealthy family. The birthday party is going to be filled with people from the upper crust of society. He thinks we can make some connections and hopefully raise some money to stave off the developers."

"Wow," she said. "Now I see why you need this dress."

"Yes, I need something from this century," I went on. "Looking like an old lady is fine at the library, but I'm trying to fit in with these people."

She parked the car in front of one of the shops we were going to be searching. "You called the right friend."

We got out and Jameson was waiting for us by the door. "Hey, Mary Ellen," he greeted me with a hug. "I hope you don't mind me crashing your party."

"Not at all," I said, smiling. "Thank you for letting me borrow her for a bit. I know you guys had plans."

"Nothing that couldn't wait," he said with a laugh. "I was told this was a fashion emergency."

I laughed. "For me, yes. I don't think it's a secret I'm the least fashionable person in the world."

"Probably not the whole world." He smiled and held the door open for us. "You guys do your thing. I'm going to have a seat and do some work. I'm here to provide the male opinion and nothing more."

Lauren and I began browsing through racks of dresses. My mind was still occupied with thoughts of Archer and last night. That was the most tempted I had ever felt to finally give up my V-card. There was something about him that touched me in ways no other man had. He made me want things I never wanted before. I trusted him to keep me safe and alive on a motorcycle. Sex for the first time was surely far less dangerous. I believed he would handle the situation with the gentleness I needed while giving me an amazing experience.

There was something so appealing about him. I loved how he was so passionate about saving the library. He was full of ideas and determination. I found myself admiring his drive and dedication to a cause that was important to me as well. But there was something else about him that intrigued me, a depth and kindness that went beyond his charming exterior.

"So, what are you thinking for tonight?" Lauren asked, interrupting my thoughts. "Are we thinking a little draped bodice? Show off a little shoulder?"

"I was thinking blue," I said. "That was as far as I got."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly like she was steadying herself. "Oh, my sweet summer child, I have so much to teach you."

I laughed. "Yes, tell me your secrets."

Lauren shook her head and giggled. "They're not secrets. You just never wanted to learn about this stuff before."

"I never had a reason to learn about it before," I said.

She eyed me closely. "Is it donors you're looking to impress or your new man?"

"Obviously, the donors." I shrugged. "But if he happens to fall in love with me in the process, well, that's not my fault."

Lauren held up a sleek black dress. "What about this? It'll show off your hips. That'll make him fall for you, for sure."

I shook my head, not really seeing myself in the skimpy scrap of fabric. "I'm not sure about that one. I want classy and not too much skin. I don't want to feel naked. I'll be too self-conscious to actually talk to anyone about the library."

Lauren laughed. "Okay, okay. We'll keep looking."

We continued sifting through the racks of dresses, pulling out various options for me to try on. As I stepped into the dressing room, I couldn't shake the feeling of nervous excitement building up inside me. I wanted to look nice, but I also wanted to feel confident. Archer did make me feel beautiful, but it was hard for me to see myself as sexy.

I slipped into the first dress and looked at myself in the mirror. I couldn't help but wonder how Archer would react when he saw me in it. Would he like it? Would he think I looked good?

"Let's see," Lauren called out.

"I don't know," I said. "I think it might be a little too, well, too little."

She laughed. "Let me see."

I stepped out of the dressing room, feeling a bit self-conscious in the revealing dress. Lauren's eyes widened as she took in my appearance.

"Mary Ellen, you look stunning!" she exclaimed, her face beaming with excitement.

I nervously smoothed the satin down over my belly, unsure of how to feel in such a daring outfit.

"You look incredible," Jameson added, stepping closer to get a better look. "Archer won't know what hit him when he sees you in that dress."

My cheeks flushed at the mention of Archer. I couldn't deny the flutter of butterflies in my stomach at the thought of him seeing me in this dress. I trusted Jameson and Lauren's opinions, but Archer's opinion was the one that mattered most to me at this moment. The donors were secondary.

I turned to look at myself from different angles in the mirror, trying to gain some confidence in the revealing dress, but I wasn't convinced. "I think I want to try the black one," I said. "It has a little more coverage. I need to look classy. I'm going to be asking people to give a library money. I don't think this is the dress that says trust me with your giant checks."

"Try it on," Lauren encouraged. "You don't have to go with the first one you try on. There are plenty to choose from."

I quickly slipped out of the red dress, finding it just a little too bold for my tastes. I put on the black one but quickly realized I wasn't going to be able to zip it. "Lauren?"

"I'm coming," she said. She quickly stepped into the fitting room. "I like this."

"I feel a little better," I said.

"I've never seen you so concerned with what you wore," she said.

"This is a special night and I want to look right," I said.

"You really like this guy." She smiled. "It's okay to like a guy. Nothing to be embarrassed about."

I turned after she zipped me up. She adjusted the sleeves and pushed my hair off my shoulders.

"We made out last night," I hissed. "Things got very hot and heavy. We were very, very close to, you know. Archer stirred something within me that I have never experienced before. I really like him, more than I have ever liked anyone else."

Lauren's eyes widened in surprise at my confession. "Mary Ellen, that's huge!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I had no idea things had progressed so far between you two."

I blushed. "It just sort of happened. I don't know why he likes me, but he does. Last night when I told him I had never had sex before, he was cool with it. I thought for sure a guy like him would be put off or he'd pressure me, but not at all. He's just so different than I expected."

She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, offering a comforting smile. "Mary Ellen, it sounds like you really care about him. And from what you've told me, Archer seems like a genuine guy who respects you. That's a good man. Don't be afraid to fall for him."

"I just don't want to mess things up with him," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "He's very, uh, worldly, and I'm not."

"You won't mess anything up," Lauren reassured me. "Just be yourself. Now, let's focus on finding the perfect dress that makes you feel beautiful and confident."

We stepped out of the dressing room. I looked at myself in the mirrors that gave me views from three sides. The black dress was knee-length and fitted, hugging the curves of my body in all the right places. The sleeves were full length and sheer, giving me a sense of sophistication and elegance. There was a plunging v-neckline on the front, which was daring but not too much.

Jameson nodded and offered a little golf clap. "That's a winner," he said. "If you're trying to give the man cardiac arrest, that'll do it."

I laughed. "Thank you. I hope he doesn't drop dead on me. That would really ruin my night."

"Who is this guy?"

"Archer," I replied.

"What's his last name?"

I realized that I didn't actually know. My interactions with Archer had been so intense and focused on the library fundraiser that his personal details had slipped my mind. "I don't know," I replied with a shrug. "All I know is he comes from a wealthy background, and he's determined to help save the library. He's taking me to the party so we can put out some feelers and set up potential donations."

"He's a good guy?" Jameson asked.

"I think so," I said. "I haven't really spent that much time with him. Tonight is all about promoting the fundraiser we're planning."

"In that dress, you're going to have no trouble getting people to give you money," he joked.

"I hope so," I said. "I think this is the one. I like it."

Lauren smiled. "Perfect."

While I changed into my regular clothes, she took the dress out of the room. When I stepped out, they were nowhere to be found. I frowned and looked around, spotting them at the counter.

"What are you doing?" I asked when I saw Jameson hand over his credit card.

"Buying a fantastic dress," he replied.

"You don't need to do that," I said. "Thank you, but I can buy my dress."

"It's my contribution to saving the library," he said with a laugh.

"He wants to do it," Lauren said. "Let us do this."

"You guys," I sighed. "Thank you. That is very generous."

"You're welcome," he said and handed me the garment bag with the dress. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Guys like this are not always what they seem."

"Guys like what?" I asked.

"Guys with money and connections always have reputations," he said in a quiet voice. "Just be careful. I would hate to have to go play big brother and kick some ass on your behalf."

"You don't need to protect me. I can take care of myself," I reassured him, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

"But I will always be here," Jameson said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I just worry about you, that's all." His voice held an edge of concern that warmed me, despite the annoyance it sparked. I was used to my friends worrying about me, seeing me as fragile and delicate. But I wasn't. At least, I didn't want to be. Already, I felt braver, bolder than ever before after only knowing Archer for a short while.

"Thank you guys for hanging out with me and for the dress," I said when we stepped outside. "I'll get a cab home. You guys go on with your day."

"Not a chance," Lauren said. "I'll take you home."

"No, really, it's fine." I tried to refuse, waving my hands in front of me as if to ward off their concern. But Lauren only shook her head with a determined look on her face.

"I'm not hearing that," she replied firmly. "You're not traipsing home alone with that thing." She pointed toward the garment bag holding my dress as if it were an unruly child needing supervision.

"Alright, alright," I conceded, knowing better than to argue when Lauren had made up her mind about something.

Jameson only chuckled, giving me a wink. "Have fun tonight and let Archer know you have a big brother that will absolutely kick his ass should he get out of line."

"Thanks, I will."