Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
"Er no." Lily couldn't help snickering at the way the other girl was squirming. "I'm not one of James' groupies, and just between you and me..." Lily leaned forward, saying sotto voce, "I already know I'll like you so much more than I ever liked Harlene Thompson."
A startled laugh escaped Leighton while James' expression pretty much spelled as IDGAF.
Good, Lily thought with secret satisfaction. Harlene was the most shameless hussy, and Lily had never forgiven the other woman for flirting outrageously with Sword. And when James excused himself to make a call, and Leighton asked shyly how she had come to know Harlene and James, Lily was more than happy to tell the other girl the truth.
"James and my boss - Sword Rutherford - are good friends," Lily explained.
Leighton's eyes widened. "Sword's the CEO of Ball World, isn't he?"
"Yup. Tournament of the Seas is his newest brainchild," Lily said proudly, "and when he learned about James' schedule clearing up, it was also his idea to have James come in as a surprise host."
"He sounds like an amazing boss to have," Leighton remarked warmly.
"Totally." And this was true. Sword as a boss was amazing. But Sword as a boyfriend, well...
Lily suddenly noticed the way Leighton was squirming. The other girl was clearly dying to say something, and she asked right away, "What is it?"
"What about Harlene?" Leighton blurted out.
"Oh. Her." Lily couldn't keep her lip from curling. "She knew James and Sword have been good friends for years, but when she had the opportunity to be alone with Sword at one of our company events, she actually tried flirting with him. Can you imagine?"
Leighton was incredulous. "Even though she was already James' girlfriend?"
"I saw it with my own two eyes," Lily said darkly, "so this isn't me just passing on secondhand gossip. Sword ignored her every overture, of course, and although she came to apologize the next day, saying she had too much to drink...hmph."
"In vino veritas," Leighton murmured.
"Exactly."
Leighton felt as if a great burden on her shoulders had been lifted. Even though she had believed James when he told her he had broken up with Harlene even before meeting her, she had still felt guilty, and there was a part of her that felt she was to blame for their breakup.
But now...
"Thank you," Leighton told Lily impulsively. "I was feeling a bit guilty about their breakup, and I really hate how bad this might sound, but thank you for telling me about that."
"No biggie."
"If there's anything I can do—-"
"Well, actually...there is."
Leighton blinked. "Um. Sure."
Lily showed the other girl the dress she was holding, and the way Leighton winced ever so slightly spoke volumes, and not at all offended, Lily asked with a sheepish smile, "That bad, huh?"
Leighton, aghast and horrified upon realizing that the other girl had caught her wincing, immediately stammered out an apology. "Oh my God, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I mean..."
"It's fine," Lily said with a laugh. "I'm afraid I've always been hopeless with fashion. It just bores me to death," she admitted simply, "so if you have any suggestions on what to wear..."
"Oh, but I'm not really an expert or anything," Leighton protested.
"Doesn't matter," Lily said cheerfully. "I'm sure your taste is still way better than mine."
Leighton couldn't help feeling charmed by the other girl's candidness. "Well, if you're sure..." She took the dress Lily was holding, and after a thorough examination of the boutique's selection, came back with a replacement that had Lily sputtering in shock.
"That isn't even a dress," Lily protested. "I can't possibly..."
"I kinda had a feeling," Leighton interrupted her, "that you were looking for a dress to make an impression."
Lily froze.
"Was I wrong?"
Lily slowly shook her head.
"Then this," Leighton said firmly, "is what you need to wear."
SWORD KNOCKED IMPATIENTLY on Lily's door. "C'mon, kid. How much more time do you need?" His company's art director was usually a lot more prompt and efficient with events like this, and he couldn't think of any reason that would make tonight any different. Lily had always been a hoyden, the kind who typically wore pant suits to anything from brunch meetings to formal galas like tonight.
So—-what the fuck?
Sword stiffened in shock when the door to Lily's suite finally opened, and a girl he almost didn't recognize sauntered past him.
Lily's short dark hair had been styled in big, wavy curls, and her dress was an eye-popping shade of red, held up by only a pair of razor-thin slaps, a neckline that exposed practically her entire chest, and a pair of thigh-high slits that required her to walk very, very carefully if she didn't want anyone knowing the fucking color of her underwear.
Then again...with this kind of dress, who knew if she had even bothered wearing one? It was already fucking obvious she hadn't any bra on, so why not go all fucking out—-