Lexington and 42nd (The Off Field Series #1) by Kim Carmody Read Free Book Online Page B

“I didn’t mean it to sound…”
    “I know. I just wanted you to know things aren’t always as they seem. Don’t trust everything you hear. Or read for that matter.” He grinned. “Do you really think she’d be a lucky lady though?”
    Rolling my eyes, I laughed. “I’m still making up my mind.”
    I grinned at Will as he put the car in park in front of my apartment block.
    “What?”
    “I guess this is the part where I don’t invite you up to my apartment.”
    Will laughed. “Seriously? I drove you all this way for nothing?”
    “‘Fraid so. Thanks for the lift though.”
    He smiled at me. “Any time. Wouldn’t want you freaking out in the Midtown traffic.”
    I pulled the door open and jumped out. “I’ll see you. Thanks again.”
    I shut the door and watched him pull away from the curb, hyper aware of the warm fuzzy feeling spreading through me again.
    This had disaster written all over it.

CHAPTER SIX
    “Why can’t I just get the other dress? It was fine!”
    To the annoyance of the herds of people walking along Fifth Avenue, Julia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and glared at me.
    “Emma, is that how you want to look for your first major event? Fine? No. You want to look spectacular. Trust me, I remember from last year with Sarah—this event is a BIG deal. We have to find the right dress.” She turned and kept marching and I had to half run to keep up with her. How she moved so quickly in stilettos was a mystery. Why she would wear them on the weekend was an even bigger one.
    At Julia’s insistence, we had been shopping since stores opened that morning. Last night when I had come home and mentioned I wasn’t sure what to wear to the Warriors’ fundraiser, she had gone a little nuts. It would appear I may have underestimated the significance of the event.
    Julia pushed open the door to Stella McCartney.
    “Uh-uh, no way Julia. Why bother looking when I can’t afford anything in the store?”
    She let out an exasperated sigh as she pulled me in behind her. “The prices aren’t that bad, and besides her stuff will look amazing on you.”
    #
    Thirty minutes later, I was standing in the dressing room in a dress that I begrudgingly had to admit Julia was right about—it was amazing.
    It was a deep blue, floor-length gown that was form fitting and hugged me in all the right places. From just above my chest, mesh panelling reached to wrap around the base of my neck and at the back, the dress was cut dangerously close to the bottom of my spine, with only a thin piece of silk reaching from my neck down the length of my back.
    “Jensen’s going to die when he sees you.”
    My head snapped up. “No, he won’t. I probably won’t even see him. Besides, regardless of how he reacts, I’m not dressing for him.”
    But was I? Secretly, I couldn’t deny that the thought of seeing Will’s reaction gave me a thrill.
    Julia’s smile spread slowly as I squirmed under her gaze. “Don’t get all defensive with me missy. I never said you were dressing for him.” She poked me in the arm. “I believe it was you who suggested that.”
    With a roll of my eyes, I turned to the shop assistant. “How much is this dress?”
    She smiled politely. “It’s fourteen hundred dollars. Plus tax.”
    I looked back at Julia and shook my head. “I’m not spending fourteen hundred dollars plus tax on a dress. No matter how good it looks.”
    “Oh yes you are. There is no way we’re leaving here without that dress. It would be a worse fashion crime than wearing a scrunchie after 1992.”
    “But I can’t afford it.”
    “I don’t care if you don’t have enough money to eat for the rest of the month, you’re getting that dress.” She pushed me back into the fitting room. “Now move it. I’ve managed to get you an appointment with my hair dresser in thirty minutes.”
    #
    Three hours later, I was just about ready and seriously excited. All the fussing Julia had made over the event had rubbed off on