“I don’t need costumes.”
“Of course you do. You said yourself that we’re an unlikely couple. Well, I’m going to make every effort to appear to be someone who would appeal to you, and you need to do the same. Your one little black dress, several T-shirts, a pair of blue jeans, and paint-splattered warm-ups wouldn’t cut it at a wedding in the Hamptons. And they wouldn’t be sufficient to go the places we would go were we truly engaged. Your parents are actors. Pretend you’re one as well, and consider this your costume wardrobe for an elaborate play.”
It seemed overkill. It was going to be an intimate, outdoor wedding with only her and Jason standing in. Sue had planned the thing over a year ago when the four of them, Mark, Sue, Jason, and Mia were inseparable. After the nasty breakup, Mia had thought—no hoped—Sue would sub her out for someone else, but out of duty or friendship…or something, she remained in the wedding party. “It’s a small wedding. I’m just the maid of honor.”
“All the more reason you should look the part.”
He had a point, and heaven knew she couldn’t afford to go out and buy a suitable wardrobe—well, not until after she sold the series of paintings. Her friends all knew she was a casual kind of person and accepted the way she dressed. But, as he pointed out, there was no way in hell she could run in Michael Anderson’s circles wearing a Mighty Mouse T-shirt and paint-splattered warm ups. She lowered herself on the opposite corner of the bed from him and patted the space next to her, encouraging Clancy to abandon him. To her surprise, the dog stayed where he was, chin on Michael’s thigh.
“I don’t do things half way, Mia. I agreed to do this, and I intend to do it well—perfectly, in fact. Our image as an engaged couple living together will be strengthened by your new clothes. It’s all about perception.”
“Well, my perception is that it was presumptuous and pushy to dress me without my input.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I was trying to surprise you.”
That caught her attention. She snapped her gaze to his face, but there was nothing in his expression that indicated he was kidding. “You’re not the surprise type.”
“There’s that wide brush you paint me with again. I’m trying.” He gestured to Clancy, peacefully asleep. “Even the dog knows I’m trying.” A tiny smile pulled at the edges of his lips and she relaxed a little.
It wouldn’t hurt to accept the clothes, and he hadn’t done it as payment for anything. She could justify it by saying he did it to make his job easier that weekend, and she was pleased he had thought to surprise her. That was a huge step for a guy like him. “Okay. I’m sorry I overreacted. I’m a little on edge. I kind of thought I had this…” She gestured to him. “…you figured out. Clearly, I don’t.” She reached over and patted Clancy. “He seems to think you’re okay, though. Dogs know stuff.”
She stood and paused at the door. “Tomorrow’s a big day. I’m going to turn in. Thanks for the clothes. And congrats on the Kawashima deal. I know it was really important to you.”
He opened his mouth as if to speak, but didn’t. She hovered in his doorway for a moment in case he decided to respond. He watched her intently, as if he were waiting for something. It made her uneasy and thrilled at the same time. “Goodnight, Michael.”
“Goodnight.” His voice was laced with a husky undertone. Mia’s entire body recognized it. “Sweet dreams, Mia mine.”
There’d be dreams, all right, but if they were anything like the ones she’d been having nightly, there’d be nothing sweet about them.
Chapter Eleven
Through the limo window, Mia silently watched the world whiz by as they sped toward the Hamptons and what could be the biggest fiasco of her life…which was saying something.
The morning had been a mess with her losing track of her phone—twice—and then forgetting her charger and having to go back up to get it after the car had been packed. None of it had seemed to bother Michael though, who waited patiently throughout, which struck her as odd. Her flakiness had bothered the hell out of Jason. She’d expected it would drive a control freak like Michael nuts.
“The dress looks amazing on you. Do you like it?”