“Now that Alex has her shit together, we need to focus some of our attention on you.”
Kelsey turned away from Jenna to look at the racks of dresses along the wall. My budget for finding something black-tie appropriate was small, but I had always had luck here. There were a few options draped over my arm, but all of us let out a gasp as Kelsey pulled a nearly pristine Jenny Packham dress from the rack. It was sparkly and silver and perfect. One of her simpler gowns. Not too flashy, but utterly gorgeous.
“Oh my God.” I reached out for it like it was a mirage. “What size is it?”
“It’s your size,” Kelsey confirmed. “And it’s in budget.”
“It’s a sign from the universe,” Jenna told us both. “The universe is on board with your relationship with Emerson.”
I paused. Something about the way Jenna said it sent a shiver of fear through me. I had been happy with my last boyfriend, too, giddy even. And that had ended horribly, leaving me to doubt myself and my ambition and my goals.
Was I setting myself up for that again? For a guy who would become resentful of my career? Of the time and effort I wanted to put into it? Sure, Emerson supported me now, but would that last? After a few too many nights of having to wait up late for me, would he walk away too?
“Hey.” Jenna snapped her fingers in my face. “Did you just get lost in a trance? Have you finally started meditating like I told you to?”
I shook my head, trying to push the doubts away.
“Are you worried about the gala?” Kelsey asked me as we headed towards the dressing room. Jenna had wandered off to look for shoes.
“Not exactly,” I said, and then I quietly explained.
Kelsey listened, a sympathetic expression on her face, and when I was done, she gave me a big hug.
“You’re overthinking this,” she told me. “You guys are having a good time. It’s serious but it’s still new. Enjoy yourself.”
“You’re right,” I agreed, because she was.
“I’m always right.” She gave me a grin and then shoved me into the dressing room.
I hung up the dresses, but grabbed the Jenny Packham one first. I knew that if it fit and looked half as good as I imagined it would, I wouldn’t even bother with the others.
It fit. And it looked incredible.
I opened the curtain and both Jenna and Kelsey let out a gasp.
“It’s perfect,” Kelsey said.
“Like I told you.” Jenna handed me a pair of perfect heels. “It’s a sign.”
I was still in my robe when Emerson arrived for the gala. Opening the door, I was momentarily stunned by how fucking amazing he looked in his tux. So good that I wanted to strip it off him and show him exactly how much I appreciated him coming to this event with me.
“I like your dress,” he joked, taking in my appearance.
“Thank you,” I told him, striking a pose in my fuzzy flannel robe. “Plaid is the latest trend in Paris.”
“I have no doubt,” he said, leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“I won’t be long,” I told him, about to head back into my bathroom to change when I saw that I had a new email.
It was the results from the bar.
Suddenly, I got light-headed and had to sit down on the bed. Immediately, Emerson was at my side.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, and I showed him my phone.
“The results are in,” I told him, doubt swelling up inside of me. “Oh God. What if I didn’t pass?”
I had never allowed myself to even consider it as an option, but now, with the results just a click away, I was forced to confront the possibility that I hadn’t passed. That I could be out of the running for the associates position—and out of a job, as of tonight.
“Do you want me to check?” Emerson asked, breaking through my manic spiral.
I nodded, handing him my phone. Then I turned away, wrapping my arms around myself. If I hadn’t passed, I didn’t want to see it on his face.
The silence that followed seemed to last forever.
“Well?” I finally asked, spinning around to face him, unable to wait another moment.
Emerson had a huge grin on his face. “Congrats.” He swept me up in his arms. “You are officially a lawyer.”
I let out a shriek of joy and reached for my phone, unable to believe it. But he was right. I had passed. I had passed.
I. Had. Passed!
“Oh my God.” I sagged in his arms, my body like jello. “I’m a lawyer.”
“You did it, babe.” Emerson kissed me. “I’m so proud of you.”
Tears burned in my eyes—other than my mother, very few people had said those words to me. Hearing them from Emerson just made me realize exactly how I felt about him.
“I love you,” I told him, unable to keep it to myself. “I’m sorry, I know it’s too soon, but I’m falling for you, and—”
His eyes flashed with emotion. “I’m falling in love with you too,” he told me, taking my face in his hands and kissing me deeply.
Then, he swept me up in his arms and carried me to my bed where he showed me—with his hands, his mouth, and his body—exactly how much he loved me.
An hour later, my hair was a little wilted and my makeup slightly smudged, but I couldn’t have cared less. Emerson got dressed as I slipped into the bathroom and did a quick fix before putting on my lucky Jenny Packham bargain find. I looked at myself in the mirror and found that I could see exactly what Jenna and Kelsey had been talking about the other day. I was glowing.
I felt more beautiful than I had in my entire life, and when I came out of the bathroom, I reveled in the way that Emerson’s jaw dropped as he took in the sight of me.
“Goddamn,” he muttered, coming over to me. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you,” I demurred, but the way he was looking at me made me hot. Again.
I eyed the bed, wondering if we really did have to go to this gala, or if we could just take off all of our fancy clothes once more and finish this perfect evening in bed.
“Come on.” Emerson linked his fingers with mine. “Let’s go show you off.”
Instead of heading to his car, however, we detoured to Rascals, which was wonderfully busy. Chase was behind the bar, and did a double take when he saw us walk in.
“Holy shit.” He let out a whistle. “You two clean up nice.”
“A bottle of champagne,” Emerson told him. “The best one we have.”
Chase lifted an eyebrow but quickly retrieved the bottle and two glasses. The cork was popped and the bubbly was poured. I expected Emerson to lift his glass and make a toast, but I didn’t expect him to climb on top of a chair to do it.
“Attention,” he told the crowd, who quieted immediately. “I want to make a toast to someone very special.” He gestured towards me. “My girlfriend, Alex, who just passed the bar. To Alex! The best lawyer in all of Chicago.”
My cheeks grew hot as everyone began cheering, their attention completely focused on me. I wasn’t accustomed to attention like this, but I was flattered beyond belief. Emerson’s pride in me was evident, and it made me feel like I could take over the world. Like I could actually become the best lawyer in all of Chicago. Behind the bar, Chase was hooting and hollering.
“Give us a kiss, you crazy kids,” Chase demanded, and the bar roared their approval.
Emerson hopped off the chair and obliged, pulling me against him in a kiss for the ages. The crowd went crazy, everyone clanking glasses and shouting congratulations. I couldn’t imagine the night getting any better than this.
20
Alex
The gala was being held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Blackstone Hotel. It was a glamorous affair, and for once, I walked in feeling like I actually belonged. The ballroom was packed when we arrived, and I gave myself a moment to take everything in—the gorgeous crystal chandeliers and turn-of-the-century design.
It was hard to believe I’d made it. Part of me was still a poor kid who had spent many nights sleeping in my mom’s car while she scrubbed motel toilets to make enough to feed us. All of this glamour and luxury usually made me feel like I was out of my league, but a
s if he could read my mind, Emerson took my hand and brushed a kiss across my knuckles.
“You look stunning,” he told me.
I relaxed. Just being with Emerson made me feel like I could do anything.
Across the crowded ballroom, I spotted Lucinda and her husband. She looked gorgeous as always, and was actually wearing what looked like a genuine smile when we walked over to her.
“Congratulate me,” she ordered.
“Congratulations,” I said automatically.
“I passed the bar,” she told us, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Not that I ever really doubted I would.” Her husband gave her a wan smile.
I shared my own grin with Emerson, remembering how nervous both her and Bryce had been that week.
“What about Bryce?” I asked, looking around for him. In all the rush to celebrate my own passing grade, I’d forgotten to even look for my co-workers on the list. “Did he hear?”
As if I had summoned him, Bryce appeared with his fiancée by his side. He wore a huge grin on his face and gave both Emerson and Lucinda’s husband a big manly slap on the back.
“Let me guess,” I said. “You passed?”
“Fuck yeah I did.” He pumped his fist in the air. “What about you two?”
Lucinda looked at her nails. “Naturally,” she said coolly, as if she hadn’t been crowing about it moments before. “What about you?” she finally asked me.
“Of course she did,” Emerson answered for me, his arm around my waist.
Bryce waved down one of the stuffy looking waiters who was carrying a glass of champagne. It was my second of the night—more than I usually drank at office events—but tonight was worthy of celebration.
We all got a glass and toasted each other. It was a great moment, until I could see the realization of the news dawning on everyone. Lucinda looped her arm around her husband’s, her tone growing frosty.