“Why am I so nervous?” Bliss asked. “It’s not like this is my first date. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this right now. The card competition—”
“Can wait for one evening. You need this.”
“I know, but look…” She extended her trembling hand. “I’m practically shaking.”
Claudia stepped back and admired her handiwork. “You’re nervous because you really like this guy. If you didn’t care, you’d be your usual flippant self.”
“You’re probably right.” Bliss glanced down at her outfit again. “Are you sure I look okay?”
“You look beautiful. Come here.” Claudia dragged her over to the closet and opened the door. A full-length mirror hung on the inside.
“Oh,” Bliss murmured. She swiveled from side to side to take in the full effect. The crimson dress hugged her curves and fit perfectly. Claudia had done Bliss’s hair in soft waves. It looked shiny and touchable. Her black pumps accentuated her long legs. “I think you performed a miracle.”
“I had good material to work with.” Claudia smiled and went to hug her.
“No. Don’t touch me. I’m afraid the whole thing will fall apart if I move.”
Claudia laughed. “You have to. Would he be willing to come in here and watch you stand like a statue?”
“I suppose not.”
“Right. Now we just have to find some kind of outerwear for you. It’s spring, but it still gets chilly at night.”
“You mean I have to cover everything up with a jacket or sweater? Wouldn’t that ruin the effect?”
“No. How about a pashmina? You can drape it over your arm or around your neck until you need it. Then it just wraps around your shoulders. They’re thin but deceptively warm.”
“I know what a pashmina is, and that might work. It won’t add bulk. God knows, I don’t need any more meat on my bones.”
“Stop it. You’re fine.” Claudia reached into her closet and withdrew a black cashmere shawl with a subtle silky sheen.
“My mother’s pasta has added at least five pounds to my hips.”
“You’re nuts. You don’t look fat. Here.” Claudia thrust the shawl at her.
“Thanks.” Bliss folded the shawl and draped it over her arm. “Do I need a necklace, or are the earrings enough?”
“You don’t want to look like you knocked yourself out getting ready, even if you did. Besides, if you’re not wearing one, maybe he’ll take the hint and get you one for a gift sometime.”
“You must be dating much more observant guys than I am.”
“No, but I can dream. Hey, I just had an idea for another card you can make,” Claudia said.
“What’s that?”
“Something for first dates.”
Bliss laughed. “I can see it now. It can be a sympathy-type card.”
“I was thinking more of a good-luck card, but whatever. You’re the creative one.”
“You’re pretty creative too. That ad idea you put together for me was awesome. I loved the evil smile on the model’s face.”
“You would. Did it work as the introduction to your portfolio?”
“I haven’t had a chance to finish it yet, but yeah, it will. With the fire and trying to stay as far away from my parents as I can and still live there…”
“I understand. Hopefully you can find your own place soon.”
The phone rang and Bliss stiffened. It might be Claudia’s concierge alerting her to the presence of a certain hottie in her lobby.
Claudia strode into her living room and answered it. Bliss followed her, and by the short conversation, she knew Drake was here and waiting for her.
Smiling, Claudia hung up the phone. “It’s go time. Have fun tonight.”
Bliss took a deep breath. “If I can just keep myself from fawning all over him, I should be all right.”
Claudia laughed. “When have you ever fawned over anybody?”
“You’re right. I should probably worry more about insulting him and pushing him away.”
“Is that why you do it?”
Bliss gasped. “Hell, no. I just do it to be funny. I’m always surprised when people actually take offense.”
“Well, behave yourself. You don’t want to push this one away.”
“And now I’m nervous again.”
***
As soon as the waiter finished taking their orders, Bliss gazed at Drake with her big, brown eyes. “I’m curious about something.”
“What’s that?” Uh-oh. Is she going to bring up what she saw through the smoke?
“Something your firefighting buddy Benjamin said.”