No One to Trust by Julie Moffett Read Free Book Online Page A

politics.”
    “Lexi.”
    “Oh, okay.”
    Trying to act like a team player, I tried on three more gowns and then decided I really couldn’t take it anymore. The next gown would be a winner, whether I liked it or not.
    “I think I’ve found the one.”
    I cracked open the dressing room door and Basia handed me a slinky, blood-red gown with a low-cut back and leg slits practically up to my butt. Then I turned it around and saw the plunging neckline.
    “Are you nuts?” I stared at the gown on the hanger.
    Basia laughed. “Lexi, you have a body that can carry this off. Just try it on. It’s Moroccan-red.”
    “I suppose that means this is the latest rage in Morocco.”
    “At least it’s not French.”
    I tried it on and the gown fit like a glove. That’s not a turn of phrase. It really fit like a glove. A tight glove. The tag said the material was silk and spandex, but I’d never heard of the two of them together in an evening gown. Then again, I’d never shopped for evening gowns before, so what did I know? Of course, I couldn’t breathe and walking was difficult, but there was no question my inner glow would be on display for all to see.
    “Oh, my God, it’s perfect,” Basia sighed as I opened the door and tottered out. “Finn will have a heart attack when he sees you in this.”
    “If I don’t die of asphyxia first.” My voice was wispy because the dress squeezed my lungs, not to mention what little boobs I have, together. It created the illusion of cleavage and that was the best thing that had happened to me all night.
    “It’s a good thing you don’t need to wear a bra with that.”
    “I don’t need to wear a bra with anything. Still, thanks for reminding me.”
    Basia tugged on the material near my right boob. “Oh, don’t be so cranky. It’s stunning. One look at you in this and Finn will have only one thing on his mind for the rest of the evening.”
    Since there was no way in hell I was going to put on one more gown, I let Basia talk me into buying the dress. Considering how little actual material the gown was made of, I sure paid a heck of a lot for it.
    Then, of course, I had to buy a pair of sexy, red shoes that Basia picked out. At first I protested because the heels on the shoes put me well over six feet two, but Basia said they were delicate and gave me toe cleavage. All the talk of cleavage made me giddy, so of course, I bought them, too.
    As we lugged my purchases out to the car, I hoped I’d done the right thing by buying such a daring gown. It was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but I knew exactly squat about dating, so I had to rely on the expertise of others. I only hoped it would all turn out right. One way or the other, I’d know if it had paid off in less than twenty-four hours.

Chapter 4
    Basia had just helped me pile my purchases in the trunk of the Miata when my cell phone rang. I’d finally bought one after my mother, Finn and Basia had successfully nagged the beejeebies out of me. Despite my extreme fondness for all things technological, a cell phone was one thing I’d never wanted. Phone skills were never my strong suit and I sure as heck didn’t want to give my mom twenty-four hours a day access to me. However, I finally succumbed to a combination of peer and parental pressure. My mom calls me at least three times a day, but I suffer stoically.
    Basia slammed the trunk shut for me so I could answer my phone.
    I flipped the phone open. “Hello?”
    “Hey, Lexi, it’s me.” The sound of Finn’s lilting Irish voice made my heart skip a beat. For some reason, the brogue seemed to come out more when we talked. I hoped it was because he knew it was a serious turn-on for me, but more likely it was because he was worried and wasn’t expending any effort to keep his accent neutral. Actually, that worked for me, too, because I liked the idea that he felt comfortable around me.
    “What’s up?” I said.
    “How are you feeling?”
    “I’m fine. Really. Thanks