I let out a deep sigh before trying one last time to convince her. “When I say that Ria could ruin my reputation, Ginger, I’d lose everything. I would be out of business within a matter of weeks, if not days.” I reached across the table again, taking her hand and stroking it with my thumb. “All I’m asking is for you to get a wedding gown—on me, of course—while I work on the legal documents. Then we’ll figure out our next steps.”
Ginger's frustration was apparent as she thought about what I was asking of her before she finally nodded. “Fine, but if this doesn’t do the trick, then your only other option is getting your lawyers involved. This ends my involvement in the whole fiasco, Jorge. If we have a fake wedding ceremony and Ria still doesn’t leave you alone, don’t ask me to help out anymore. Do you understand me?”
I silently nodded as we finished our dessert.
What have I done?
I walked her to her car, and when I kissed her, she wasn’t nearly as passionate as usual. Her entire body had gone limp, too, and I realized that I’d ruined her otherwise enjoyable day.
“I am so, so sorry, Ginger. Do you want to come back to my place tonight?”
“No,” she said while getting into her car. “I just need to go to bed. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Ginger practically sped out of the parking lot, hightailing it onto the highway as people watched in horror. My driver held the door to my limousine open. I slid inside and closed my eyes the entire way home.
And as I made my way inside my penthouse, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d pushed Ginger too far this time.
17
Ginger
My day off should have been spent either sunbathing on the beach in my new blue bikini or shopping in downtown Miami. But there I was, smack dab in the middle of Natalia’s Bridal Salon with Margo and Eva, doing a poor job at pretending to be excited over wedding dresses. Even the sales associate had a hard time believing that I was looking forward to getting married, and why wouldn’t she? I was through with the whole Jorge and Ria scenario. If I weren’t madly in love with him, I would have bailed on his ass the second Ria came into the picture.
It was just the three of us in the salon, which meant that we had their full attention. I would have preferred it if other women were in there, too, since it’d take some of the pressure off of me. Instead, several women walked past while peering their faces into the windows, ogling over all of the gorgeous gowns. I knew they saw me and my fake engagement ring, and were instantly jealous. They probably assumed that I was marrying a wealthy man and would never have to work again in my life.
How about we trade places, ladies?
The sales associate walked out of the back room with a breathtaking white gown saturated in designer crystals. It was a dress that I would have fawned over on any other occasion, such as leafing through bridal magazines on my lunch hour. I would also remind myself that I could never afford such a lavish gown, not to mention it was far too much to spend on one day.
Eva’s eyes bugged out when she saw the gown, and then she screeched so loud I was sure the crystal chandelier above us would burst, thereby causing shards of glass to scatter all over the immaculate marble floor.
“Oh, Ginger! You would look like a movie star in this gown! Please try it on!”
The sales associate smiled at Margo, waiting for her opinion. Tears formed in Margo’s eyes while sipping on expensive champagne. “I completely agree with Eva. Ginger, you have to try that one on. Even if you don’t go with it, just put it on for fun! Oh, look at all the crystals!”
Get yourselves together, ladies. It’s not even for a real wedding!
“Fine, we’ll put that on the rack to try on.” The sales associate winced at my lackluster, monotone voice while placing it on the rack. I didn’t mean to be so curt, but it wasn’t exactly my idea of a fun way to spend an afternoon.
As soon as she was out of sight, Margo addressed the elephant in the room. “Ginger, I know all of this is a ruse, but you should at least have some fun. Look at where we are! Do you realize how many women would love just to be allowed into this place?”
They had a point. The owner of the shop, Natalia, was from Italy and only catered to the elite. Several celebrities had gotten married in gowns that she had designed too. I’d caught Eva eyeing a number of them in gossip magazines at work.
You usually had to book an appointment months in advance, but the second I had dropped Jorge’s name, she asked if I could come down that day.
“I guess so. It just seems like a waste of money for a dress that I’ll probably never wear. I mean, look at this price tag, you guys!”
Eva’s eyes bugged out when she saw the six-digits.
“Well, I’m sure you can wear it someplace else.”
“Where else would I wear this dress, Eva? Grocery shopping?”
Margo chuckled while sipping her champagne, and Eva shrugged, realizing that I had a good point.
“I just can’t believe that I’m going to so many lengths over some guy.”
Margo tilted her head at me, seemingly confused all of a sudden. “But I thought you said that you were in love with Jorge, Ginger.”
