Why not go? If Lily had been home, Emma was sure she would have gone and taken her twin with her.
Emma decided she’d do it. She’d be ready when Toby arrived and gain a bit more insight to her sister’s life-style.
It took much longer than Emma would have expected to find the right thing to wear. She wanted something different from her normal attire, something of Lily’s that would reflect the personality she often wished she possessed. Trying on dresses, pants, skirts and tops, she finally selected a flirty red skirt that barely covered her decently. Matched with a lacy black crochet top, she felt daring and provocative. After her shower, she carefully applied her makeup. Frowning in dissatisfaction, she scrubbed her face. Rummaging around in her sister’s cabinet, she tried a bit of this and that. The result was more than satisfactory.
Dramatically highlighting her eyes, she looked mysterious and worldly. The lipstick matched the skirt, hot red, and the effect on her lips startled her. Pouting provocatively, she swept her lashes up and grinned. One hot babe here. Brushing her hair until it swirled around her in a tousled mane, she was more than satisfied.
She looked exactly like her sister. And more importantly, nothing like a quiet woman from a small Southern town.
The high-heeled sandals completed her quest. She posed in front of the mirror, turning this way and that, struck by every angle. Forget safety and conservatism. This was one reason she’d come to California. This woman was ready for life in the fast lane.
When the doorbell rang a few minutes later she hurried down the stairs, conscious of the flutter of her short skirt, of the long expanse of tanned legs. She slowed when she reached the entry hall, no sense arriving out of breath.
Toby was the name of the man coming to pick her up. And Sally would be with him. Others? She’d have to listen carefully to pick up names and garner some sort of clue about whom the people were and what they did. But it added to the fun. She wason an adventure the likes of which she’d never imagined a few days ago.
“Going somewhere?”
Logan leaned against the doorjamb when she opened the door,
“Oh.” She had not expected to see him before tomorrow. “Hi. Yes, actually, I’m going to a party. Come in.”
“I won’t keep you. I thought you might like to grab a hamburger or something, but you’ve got plans.”
“It’s a last minute kind of thing,” she said.
The bright anticipation of the evening dimmed a bit. She’d like to have dinner with Logan rather than party with a bunch of strangers. Biting her lip in indecision, she wondered if she could cancel the party hopping.
“You look great,” he said, his gaze moving leisurely down her body.
Emma resisted the temptation to stand taller, to make sure he saw just how much of her tanned legs showed beneath the scandalously short skirt or how sexy she felt in the crochet top. Would he think about the bathing suit?
“Thank you. I’m sorry you didn’t call earlier, I’d have liked going out for hamburgers,” she said, holding on to the opened door, wishing he’d asked her last night, or at least had called this afternoon.
He shrugged, his eyes narrowing a bit.
“I doubt it. I don’t need fancy words for politeness’ sake. You forget, I had a wife who lied at the drop of a hat. I’d much rather have the truth.”
Indignant, she drew herself up.
“That was the truth. I think an evening with you would have been fun, unless you continued to attack my honesty. But Sally called and asked me to join them first.”
He smiled sardonically at that.
“And being the nicely brought-up young lady, you go with the first who invites you.”
The sarcasm baffled her for a moment. Then she realized he didn’t believe a word she’d said. Lily probably discarded arrangements like old socks. But her mother had brought her up to honor commitments. While she hadn’t confirmed exactly, neither had she called to cancel. She knew they expected her.
A car turned into the driveway.
“Your date?” Logan asked, turning to watch the car approach.
“Just my ride. The designated driver.”
Wishing she’d called back said she couldn’t go. She was torn. An evening of fun beckoned, yet she really would have liked to spend the time with Logan.
Maybe it was better to go. She didn’t want to become too dependent on Logan to provide her entertainment. She already wanted to spend all her time with him, better to pull back a little and hold on to her independence.
The driver stopped the car and stepped outside, calling over the top, “Hey, Lily, ready to roll?”
