Page 40 of Billionaire In Vegas

Chapter Nine

I stoodin front of the mirror staring at myself. I couldn’t take my eyes off my reflection. I was dressed in a long evening gown that was most likely the most elegant item of clothing I’d ever owned (not to mention, the most expensive). It was black, off-the-shoulder and fit like a glove. I’d never worn anything so close fitting so naturally, I was uncomfortable.

“Would you stop pulling at it?” Emmaline said for the second time in the past five minutes.

I gave her an annoyed look before saying, “Stop being so bossy.”

She laughed. “I’m just saying that you look great. Stop fussing with your dress.”

I couldn’t help but not take her advice as I attempted to hike the top part of the dress further up. I felt the dress didn’t do enough to keep my important parts hidden, but what did I know? Emmaline was right. I looked pretty darn good.

“Do you think this bust line is way too low?”

“Nope. Your boobs are supposed to look like they’re about to spill out.”

I frowned, “Really? That’s a good look?”

“Trust me. I might not be very fashionable, but I know fashion.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense,” I said, mostly to myself because Emmaline was looking down at her phone.

“Hey, a little attention here.”

“Sorry,” she said, burying her phone under a pillow.

“Were you texting someone?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“What? No! That was no one.”

I could hear her phone beeping incessantly under her pillow.

“Go ahead and get it.”

She bit her lip as if deciding whether to keep playing coy, decided against it and dove for her phone. I watched her smile spread from ear to ear as she read the text messages. Whatever was being said, she was apparently happy to hear it.

Her daughter, Theodora, came running in and gushed at the sight of me.

“Auntie Lacey you look sooooooooo beautiful.”

“Thank you so much,” I beamed. I’d let my hair grow out over the months and it was now hanging down around my shoulders. I had to get used to the longer length which seemed to frame my face perfectly. Emmaline had let me borrow her shoes and had helped me with my makeup. The result was stunning. The sexy dark red color made my lips look pouty and inviting. And my eye makeup gave me a hint of mystery. I was like a new woman. Glamorous, mysterious, and oh so nervous about tonight.

“You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball.”

I laughed. “You think so, Dora?”

“I know so. Jude is going to freak when he sees you.”

I secretly hoped she was right. I wanted Jude’s attention more than anything tonight. It had been three weeks since the incident in his office and we’d continued our lives as if nothing had happened.

We didn’t talk about it. We didn’t repeat it. And to my disappointment, Jude had kept his distance. He worked late and came home even later. I rarely saw him anymore. He wasn‘t cold towards me, just distant. Gone was the flirtatious banter and furtive, meaningful looks when he thought I wouldn’t notice. We never again snuggled on the couch or went anywhere together. We were living two different lives under one roof and although it had been both our ideas to make the charade work, I couldn’t help but feel a little resentful that it all was a charade. I would never admit it out loud, but I wanted more from Jude.

I’d decided to go to Emmaline’s to get dressed because I had no idea what to wear and I needed help with my makeup for the evening. Misha was busy at a convention, but she’d wished me good luck. She adored Jude and I think she knew how I really felt about him. Which was funny, because I wasn’t even sure how I felt about Jude.

Speaking of which, I’d given Jude Emmaline’s address and I had to admit, I was nervous as I waited for him to arrive. I wondered how he’d react. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling different. I didn’t think I’d ever find myself in this predicament. I didn’t feel like myself and emotionally I didn’t know what I wanted. I was the decisive type, but my feelings for Jude made me second-guess myself, which made me feel vulnerable. I hated feeling like that.

A knock sounded at the door and I listened intently. It didn’t take long for me to hear the sound of his voice and I instantly smiled at it.

I made my way towards him, nervously tugging at the bust line of my dress. He was turned away from me, so he couldn’t hear me as I approached.