Chapter 6

VIVIANNE

Vivianne

Heading to the mall and out to lunch with Jenna, just checking in and saying hi! Need anything while I’m out?

Liam

Have fun. Just received the invitation to Stryder Corp’s Annual Christmas Gala. Be my plus one?

Vivianne

I don’t have any fancy dresses.

Liam

Go buy one while you’re out. Boss’s orders.

I chuckle at the last one and grab Jenna’s wrist.

“Liam says I need a gown for the Christmas gala.”

Jenna shrieks and bounces from foot to foot.

“You got invited to the gala? Do you know how hard it is to get one? I know just the place.”

She hooks her arm in mine and pulls me down the street, practically dragging me through the crowd.

We weave through until Jenna bears right into a boutique. The place is absolutely gorgeous—gowns line the walls, mirrored platforms dot the floor, and the air smells like expensive perfume.

A tall woman approaches us, her warm brown skin glowing under the boutique’s lights, her lips painted a soft peach, her hair cascading in tight coils.

“Welcome, my name’s Imani. What can we help you with today?”

“My friend here needs to find a dress for a Christmas gala,” Jenna says with a grin.

“Ah, well, follow me.”

As we trail behind, Jenna leans in. “This is going to be great. It’s a charity gala. Liam picks a different cause every year.”

Imani leads us to a mirrored platform and gestures for us to sit. She pulls a clipboard from the wall, jots something down, and joins us.

“What are you looking for today?”

I hesitate. “I don’t really know. I’ve never needed a dress like this.”

She flips the clipboard around, revealing sketches of various silhouettes. “Which style do you think you would like?”

I point to three. She nods, making notes.

“Color preferences?”

“It’s a Christmas gala, so maybe stick with red and green, or silver.”

“Okay, I will be back in just a minute.”

As she disappears into the back, Jenna gives me a wink and darts after her.

Left alone, I check my phone and glance at the shimmering gowns.

Minutes stretch like hours before Jenna and Imani return, arms full of dresses.

I try on twenty-five gowns.

Too short. Too long. Too flashy. Too plain. A few are nice, but none seem quite right.

“I’m never going to find one,” I groan, rubbing my temples.

Jenna squeezes my shoulder, thanking Imani for her time and steering me toward the door. “We’ll find it—just not today. It’s still early. Let’s go to the mall.”

I force a smile, but doubt nags at me. I need a dress Liam will approve of—something elegant and bold, without being overwhelming.

***

At the mall, Jenna chats nonstop as we wander.

“Where do you wanna go?”

“Let’s walk around and see what we find, okay?”

She nods, linking her arm with mine.

“Look! There’s Victoria’s Secret.” She grins, yanking me inside.

We spend far too much time giggling over lingerie displays, and for a little while, I forget the pressure.

When we leave, I’m carrying two bags—one large and one small.

We grab pretzels and smoothies before Jenna announces, “I need to get a new skirt for the office. The one I was wearing yesterday caught on something and tore a big hole in it.”

“Okay. I could use some new work clothes too.”

She steers us into a boutique filled with blazers, silky blouses, and crisp skirts.

While browsing, I study her, trying to find the right moment to ask her why she’s being so standoffish with me.

“So…” I glance at her. “What’s with the weirdness?”

Her brows lift slightly, just for a second—barely enough to catch. She sighs.

“I know. I know.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried. About ~you~, about Liam—with you. About how many women I’ve seen come in and out of the office.

“We don’t last very long. It’s still a boy’s world out here.” She says it like the words to say them aloud.

We share a look. No more words needed.

Her expression softens.

“How’s your mom?”

“Not the greatest. My brother won’t tell me everything, but if it gets…bad, he’ll call.” I shrug, trying to shake off the pang of guilt I feel for not being there.

By the end, Jenna finds a few skirts and a shimmering teal silk blouse. I pick out three full outfits.

“Want to get our nails done?” I ask, waggling my eyebrows.

She laughs. “You read my mind.”

We walk toward the salon, gabbing the whole way.

Inside, we‘re seated immediately for mani-pedis. We soak our feet in spa chairs as they pour salts and oils into bubbling water.

“Why are you so worried about me?” I ask.

She hesitates. “I haven’t seen Liam flirt with anyone. He doesn’t get personal calls. He doesn’t even look when the girls in the office throw themselves at him.”

I shrug. “Okay, so he likes to stay professional.”

“No, Viv. He likes to stay emotionally unavailable.”

Worry fills her eyes.

“Look, all I’m saying is that I love you. I don’t want to see you hurt. I don’t think you really know what you’re getting into—with him, with this contract.”

“I can handle it. Liam made it clear what he was looking for.”

“Really? Okay, so you can handle Liam. What about Mr. Stryder? What about what he did earlier?”

Her words land cold.

Neither of us says another word while they finish up our nails.

***

When I finally make it back to my apartment, exhaustion hits like a freight train.

On our way home, Jenna and I stopped at Fushimi’s. I picked up an ice cream sampler and a crème brûlée.

I unpack, placing the desserts in the fridge and freezer, then carry my shopping bags to the bedroom.

After that, I drop onto the couch and call home.

“Vivianne,” Momma answers, her voice warm but tired. “I was just thinking about you.”

“Hey, Momma.” I sink into the cushions, suddenly feeling the weight of the day. “I just wanted to check in. How are you feeling?”

She hesitates—just a fraction of a second—but I catch it.

“Oh, you know. Same old, same old.”

Which means: ~not great~.

We talk for a few minutes, skirting the real issues, until she sighs.

“I just miss you, honey. The holidays won’t be the same without you.”

Guilt tugs at me. “I miss you too, Momma.” My voice cracks. I swallow hard. “I’ll try to come visit soon, okay?”

She doesn’t press, but I hear the hope in her silence.

“I’d love that.”

After we hang up, I sit for a while, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake the heaviness in my chest. I wipe my tears and press my palms to my eyes.

Then—

The doorbell rings.

I jolt upright.

~It’s late. Who the—?~

Heart pounding, I head to the door and look through the peephole.

Liam stands on the other side.

I crack the door open. “Liam. What—?”

He doesn’t say anything at first. He just stands there, eyes searching mine like he’s debating something.

Then, he finally exhales—slow and steady.

“Can I come in?”