Read Just One Night. Part 1 for Free Online Page B

with,” Claudia says, pointing to it. “It’s included in the price.”
    I pick up the heavily beaded creation and frown. I’ve seen work like this priced in the many hundreds of dollars. I look at both Claudia and William, trying to gauge their expressions, but they’re as bland as vanilla right now. I think it’s a British thing … or a conspiracy maybe. I’m being forced to accept gifts that are way too extravagant for a girl like me.
    “How much do I owe you for the shoes?” I ask, taking out my wallet. I’ll feel much better about this whole situation if she tells me they’re five hundred dollars.
    “Twenty dollars even.” Claudia says with a completely straight face.
    I hold out my foot, reveling in the soft leather that hugs my foot. “No way these are twenty bucks. Come on, Claudia, don’t pull my leg.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of pulling your leg, deary. I receive my footwear items at cost and pass on the savings to my clients. Twenty dollars, and I can take cash or credit card.”
    I pull a twenty dollar bill out of my wallet and frown as I hand it over. “I think you’re fibbing.”
    She puts the money in a drawer and pats me on the hand when she’s done. “Enjoy your ball. Have some champagne for me.”
    William places the palm of his hand on my lower back, and my pulse immediately begins to race at its warmth and the suggestive nature of it. “Shall we go?” he asks.
    “Absolutely.” I gather my overstuffed purse, the clutch, and my old shoes into my arms. A moment later, William has taken all but the clutch from me.
    “Thank you, Claudia. And thank you, William.” I look up at him, struck once again by how handsome he is. He’s still much taller than me, even with these heels on. “I’m absolutely in love with the dress and the shoes and the purse.”
    “You are very welcome,” he says with a tip of his head. “Shall we go?”
    I nod, not trusting myself to say anything witty in response. I’m a little light headed over the amount of money that was just dropped on my behalf inside this lovely little boutique. He hasn’t even kissed me yet.
    “Come again!” Claudia says from the doorway as we walk out to the car.
    William opens the door for me and waits for me and my mountain of material to get around him. I stop before getting inside, facing him. We’re only inches apart.
    “You know this was way too much.”
    He reaches out and touches my chin briefly, speaking softly in response. “There’s no such thing as way too much on a night like this one.” And then he drops his hand and steps back, his expression going stern. “In you go.”
    I could argue his last statement, but I don’t even try. The atmosphere is charged with electricity enough as it is, and we still have several hours to go before this date is over. I’m already regretting its end and we haven’t even really started yet.

CHAPTER SIX
    William

    YES, IT WAS RECKLESS, RIDICULOUS, and completely daft of me, bringing Jennifer to see Claudia. The whim to ring my old family friend took over my rational thinking brain just hours before the one-night-only date and wouldn’t let me go until I capitulated. Claudia was a real sport when I told her that I may or may not be stopping by depending on how first impressions went, but that I would be eternally grateful if she would wait around until seven to find out.
    As soon as I saw Jennifer standing there on the sidewalk, her curvy figure emphasized by her tight-fitting skirt, her wavy brown hair casually draped over her shoulder, and her bag clutched under her arm in a display of subtle nerves, I knew we had a chance at being compatible and that a ball gown was entirely appropriate. My misgivings simmered down to a mere trickle of their earlier proportions.
    It’s not that she was terribly underdressed; her pencil skirt and frilly, cream-colored blouse would have fit into the crowd without too much trouble. But for some reason when I saw her standing there, it made