Chapter 8

VIVIANNE

The days pass in a blur of work, dinner with Liam, and sleep—only to do it all again the next day.

Saturday arrives, and excitement hums under my skin. Liam is on his way to pick me up, and Jenna is already with him.

He won’t say where we are going—just that I’m going to have a blast.

My phone buzzes.

Liam

We’re out front.

Vivianne

Okay, on my way.

I lock up and take the elevator down. When I step outside, I spot them waiting in an executive limo.

Smiling, I hop in, exchanging greetings as laughter fills the space.

Not long into the ride, Liam pulls a scrap of fabric from his pocket and turns to me. “Turn around,” he says, smiling.

His playful expression makes it impossible to resist. I turn in my seat, and he leans in, brushing against my cheek as he ties the blindfold. My breath hitches, but I stay still.

When the car slows to a stop, a door opens, then shuts. Moments later, I hear my own door swing open. Hands touch my arm, and I reach for them, letting them guide me.

When Liam finally pulls the blindfold off, we’re inside a boutique, filled with rows of gowns and mannequins. A short, plump redhead stands nearby, her smile lingering more on Liam than on me.

She introduces herself as Ruth and leads us to a private fitting room. “Mr. Stryder, you and Ms. Jenna stay here for a moment. I’m going to take Ms. Pierce into the hall.” She gestures for me to follow.

Once she steps outside, she turns to me. “All right, dear, what are you looking for today?”

“A gown for a Christmas gala.”

“No, dear, what kind of dress? Long or short? Black, red, green, silver, blue, purple? A-line, ball gown, mermaid? Something conservative? Something flashy?”

“Oh, um, I’m not really sure. I tried on dresses last week, and I really liked the ones that were a little tight and not too flashy. Other than that, I’m not sure.”

“Okay, let’s take a look around and see if anything calls to you. Follow me.”

She leads me to a row of gowns, and I trail behind, running my hands along the fabrics. I pull out the ones that feel right—surprised by the variety: different shapes and colors, though mostly in Christmas tones.

Once I’ve gathered an armful, we head back to the fitting room.

“Would you like either of them to choose dresses for you?” Ruth asks, and I hesitate. Jenna did a really good job last week. None of them were perfect, but they were a good start.

“Actually, I would, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.”

She opens the door, hangs my selections on a hook, and then calls Liam and Jenna over before stepping out with them.

When they return, loaded up with dresses, Ruth hangs them up and sends Liam and Jenna to the mirrored area before turning to me with a sigh.

“Where would you like to start?” she asks.

“Let’s alternate piles.”

She nods, grabs a dress from one pile, and helps me into it.

***

After trying on what feels like twenty dresses, I’m exhausted. My legs ache, and Liam and Jenna are half asleep on the couch. Still, nothing feels right.

Frustrated, I peek out and hand Ruth the rejects. “I only have a few more,” I promise.

I pull on a vibrant red dress—a silky mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline. Simple but elegant.

I step out.

“That dress is so pretty!” Jenna says, beaming.

Liam just nods.

“This is the strongest contender. I still have four dresses to try. Come back with me, Jenna, so I don’t have to stalk out here every time.”

She follows me and helps me out of the dress.

The next dress is green, off-the-shoulder, with heavy beadwork. “I like it, but I don’t love it,” I say, and Jenna nods.

The next is a slinky green dress with sheer mesh and sequins.

“Ew.” A shiver runs through me, and I take it off before asking Jenna’s opinion.

I wrinkle my nose and step out. “This one’s definitely not it.”

Two left.

The silver one hugs me in all the right places but isn’t quite as flattering as I’d hoped. I sigh and slip into the last dress—a deep red that instantly changes everything.

I barely recognize myself. The deep V neckline, delicate straps, and thigh-high slit make me feel…beautiful. I turn, taking in the low back and crisscrossed straps.

Jenna’s eyes go wide.

“This is it,” I whisper.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous, Viv.”

I step out and ask Ruth for a white fur wrap. When she returns, I drape it over my shoulders and meet Jenna’s approving gaze.

“I’m going to change. Go get Liam,” I tell Jenna as I turn back to Ruth. “We’ll take it, but please don’t let Liam see it. I want him to be surprised.”

At the front, I find him waiting. With the gown wrapped and the shawl in a separate box, I lean into him for a second.

“Thank you,” I whisper, flashing a smile.

His hand finds the small of my back and pulls me in just a little closer. He doesn’t let go. Instead, his thumb strokes gently over the fabric of my dress, sending a shiver through me.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he murmurs, his voice intimate. His gaze lingers on mine, then drops to my lips.

The air thickens between us, my pulse quickening—but before I can react, the clerk clears her throat.

“Your receipt is in the bag, sir.”

Liam blinks, straightening slightly, taking the shopping bags from the clerk.

Without a word, he loops my arms through his as we head outside.

“Crap, I forgot something inside. I’ll be back in a minute,” Liam says, walking back to the store.

Jenna comes up beside me, eyes sparkling. “Viv! That blindfold, the limo…the dress! Are we living in a romance novel?”

I let out a breathy laugh. “I know, right? I can’t believe he arranged all this ~and~ came with us.”

Replaying the day in my head, the warmth of Liam’s presence lingers.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this…special.”

Jenna grins. “Girl, you ~are~ special. And Liam? He definitely knows it.”

The door swings open, and he walks back toward us.

Jenna and I exchange a quick, giddy glance before slipping into the car.

I stare out the window during the drive, still savoring the day.

Maybe this really ~is~ the start of something magical.

***

It’s Sunday, and I’m enjoying a rare break from the whirlwind of my new life.

I pull on a T-shirt and jeans, grab my purse on the way out, and head to Daily Grind.

The quiet morning feels like a reset—a moment to breathe before the week picks up again.

While waiting for my order, I type out a text to Liam.

Vivianne

Want a coffee?

Liam

Wanna meet for lunch?

Vivianne

Not feeling up for it, really

Liam

Okay, coffee sounds great, be at your place in 5

I slip my phone into my pocket. When my name is called, I grab my drink and step outside, letting the cool air clear my head.

I unlock my door and leave it cracked, knowing Liam will be here in a minute. I’ve just set the drinks on the coffee table when I hear the door click shut.

Liam walks over, grabs his cup, and lifts it to his lips as he sits on my couch—like he belongs here.

“You okay?” His voice is soft—so soft it stuns me for a moment.

“Yes. No.” I exhale and sit next to him. His arm reaches around me, draping along the back of the couch. “I’m nervous about this trip.”

“About the cabin trip?” he asks, raising his brows.

I nod, looking him in the face.

“Your dad doesn’t like me. I know barely anything about you, and I’m supposed to act like this perfect girlfriend.”

“Well, what do you want to know?” he asks. “My favorite color is red. I could bathe in shrimp scampi—it’s the best thing ever. My middle name is Henry. And I live on caffeine.” He takes another long drink of coffee.

“I’ve met your dad. What about your mom? Are you an only child? Did you have a pet dog named Max or a cat named Fluffy? Did you always want to be a big shot CEO? Basic stuff that a girlfriend should know,” I say with a shrug.

He chuckles. “My mom is the best. She’s kind and caring, and she has so much patience. I have two sisters—Sarah and Jennifer. Sarah’s older and has a baby, Sasha. Cutest baby ever.

“We did have a dog for about three months. I don’t like to talk about it, but his name was Tucker, and he was a beagle. And no, I didn’t want to be a CEO.”

His answer takes me by surprise.

“You didn’t? Then what did you want to be?” I ask, watching a sad smile form on his perfect lips. “An astronomer.”

I gape for a second before recovering, then fire off another small string of questions.

He rattles off his answers, and I can feel myself relaxing a little. Liam’s a middle child? I can’t help but smile at him.

***

Liam has been here all day.

I’m in the kitchen cooking while he sits on the couch. He looks so handsome when he’s relaxed—not that he isn’t always.

I shake the thought away and call him over.

“I’m coming in tomorrow,” I declare, watching his brow furrow.

“No, tomorrow is your out-of-office day. You stay away. If not for your own good, do it for Jenna. She loves talking to you—especially about your shopping adventures.” He smiles and chuckles.

“Okay, but I’m going to be a sourpuss all day.”

“Deal. Speaking of your day off, use it to find something to wear to a dinner party.”

“A dinner party?”

“On Tuesday. With a close friend of mine. This is where you’ll really start meeting the people I need to impress.”

“Okay, no problem,” I say, but inside I feel like a mess. I need to impress this ~friend~, and the pressure of meeting someone Liam refers to as ~close~ adds an extra layer of anxiety.

I turn back to the stove and stir the mix of vegetables in the pot. Liam leans over my shoulder, sniffing. I turn quickly and give him a questioning look.

“It smells good,” he says with a shrug.

I finish cooking, and he helps me plate the food before we sit down to eat. All through dinner, we chat about everything—what he does on Mondays when I’m not there, and what’s coming in the next week.

By the end of the night, my heart feels like it’s thrumming. Laughing and talking with him has become more than easy. It’s something I look forward to.

He’s more than just a handsome guy with money. He’s everything I hope to find in a partner.

The thought sends a jolt through me.

Once Liam leaves, I shoot a quick text to Jenna.

Vivianne

Have to find something to wear to a dinner party.

Jenna

👍

I set my phone down, but sleep doesn’t come as easily as I’d hoped.

Dinner parties are supposed to be fun. But stepping into the unknown? That’s anything but.