“I would never do that,” I said and dialed the credit card phone number on my cell and put it on speakerphone. I shook my head at Sally as she grinned at me, waiting eagerly to hear what the limit was. I have to admit that I was slightly excited myself to find out what the limit would be. Not that I would come close to using all of the money. Or even using the card again after I bought this dress. I didn’t want TJ to think I was taking advantage of the situation.
My heart felt sad as I thought about him and the situation we were in. I was happy that we were kind of dating, if dating was what we could call our situation. I just didn’t know. We were seeing each other. We were having sex. I liked him—well, loved him. I thought he kind of liked me. However, I was also his fake fiancée, and I wasn’t sure if that negated everything. Was he my boyfriend? Would he ever really be my boyfriend? I tried not to dwell on all the things in my mind. It made me doubt the relationship I found myself in.
I looked down at the phone and listened to a voice welcoming me to American Express. I punched in the numbers on the card and waited for them to ask me to verify some sort of password, so that I could look at Sally and say, “See? I can’t find out that info.” I was shocked when the voice asked me what I wanted to do next. I pressed 2 to hear my available balance and both Sally and I gasped loudly when the voice said, “You have an available credit limit of one hundred thousand dollars.” I pressed END on the phone and looked at Sally with wide eyes. “Did I just hear that correctly?” I said, feeling slightly dazed.
“If you heard one hundred thousand dollars, then yes.” She grinned at me, her eyes bright. “I cannot believe it.”
“I cannot believe it, either.” I put the card back in my wallet. “He’s crazy.”
“Yeah, he is.” Sally started laughing. “Does he not know you?”
“Whatever.” I giggled as we pulled out of the driveway. “I’m responsible.”
“Since when?” She raised an eyebrow at me. “Last week?”
“Last week is as good as ever.” I laughed. “Seriously, though, I’m not going to take advantage of the situation. It’s just for this dress.”
“Uh huh,” Sally said. “And some new sexy bras, underwear, heels, maybe a new trench coat, a leather jacket, um—”
“A leather jacket?” I said, interrupting her. “Why would I be getting a leather jacket?”
“Because they’re so cute.” She giggled. “I notice you didn’t ask why you should get the trench coat.” She winked. “Bow chicka bow wow.”
“Sally, you’re so immature.” I giggled. “I’m not going to go crazy on the card and I’m going to pay back whatever I spend.”
“Okay.” Sally didn’t bat an eye, but her voice was unbelieving. “Whatever you say.”
“I am.” I laughed. “Though it might not be in terms of cash money.”
“Like I said, bow chicka bow wow.”
“Ha ha, he’s lucky.” I giggled. “Most guys would love to have this.” I danced around in her seat, suddenly feeling light and happy. “And if anyone ever saw me or heard me saying that, they would think I was a ho.”
“A ho, ho, ho.” Sally nodded and looked at me. “So where shall we go, then? To the boutiques downtown?”
“I guess so.” I shrugged. “You think they’ll have anything there?”
“Yup.” She nodded. “There’s this new haute couture dress shop next to the cupcake store. I think they have vintage Chanel and Vera Wang and some Versace gowns.”
“That sounds expensive.” I frowned.
“Says the hundred-thousand lady.” Sally laughed.
“I don’t wanna be the hundred-thousand-dollar ho.” I giggled.
“Who, you?” Sally said as she turned on her radio and I turned it up as it connected to the Bluetooth on her phone and the latest Pitbull song started playing. I just laughed in my seat and stared out of the window as Sally drove. I felt excited about the evening, though I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“Your phone is ringing, Mila.” Sally tapped me on the shoulder to break me out of my daydream.
“Oops,” I said as I grabbed my phone out of my bag. “Hello,” I said as I placed it next to my face quickly.
“Where are you?” TJ said softly, his voice sending a warm feeling down my spine.
“I’m in the car with Sally. We’re going to get a dress and a few other necessities,” I added, feeling slightly guilty.
“Good.” He sounded pleased. “Tell Sally that I’d be more than happy to treat her to a new dress as well, for taking you out.”
“What?” I said, surprised by his generosity, though I really shouldn’t have been. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to,” he said softly. “Tell her to get something nice and we can have her and Cody over this weekend, right after you move in.”
“Like a double date?” I said hesitantly, not sure if that was such a good idea.
“Or just a dinner,” he said smoothly. “Just four friends eating together.”
“Okay,” I said, disappointment swelling in my belly. Friends. That dreaded word that made me come back down to earth again.
“There’s no need for expectations,” he continued. “We can’t make them get together. They aren’t us.”