Earlier, Cheryl had booked an appointment in the beauty salon to have my hair and makeup done, and maybe she thought I wouldn’t know how to put on the strapless peplum gown with a sweetheart neckline.

“Darren’s like a ten out of ten, and I’m lucky to hit a seven,” I say. Given what a big deal Darren made of my ugly sweater the first time we met, he hasn’t actually denigrated my clothing choices since then.

That a guy who is as well-groomed and attired as Darren is hanging out with someone like me shows he looks beyond the superficial. But will it last?

“You look beautiful,” Cheryl says as she zips up my gown.

“Thank you. It’s all due to you. You have great taste in clothes. This dress is amazing.”

She smiles and picks up a gauze-like scarf, which she wraps around my upper arms—making it look like the gown comes with off-shoulder sleeves—and ties at my back.

“You’re the one wearing it,” she says.

“Do you have to dress up all his girlfriends?” I joke.

She shakes her head. Probably because they don’t need help in this department like I do. It’s not that I don’t like nice fashion, but I do like my comfort when it comes to clothing. BDSM is another story. I’m surprised I can tolerate it so far, but the more hardcore stuff might be another story.

Cheryl removes a velvet box from a paper bag, saying, “Darren said you wouldn’t accept jewelry, so I’ll let you borrow mine.”

She opens the box and shows me a necklace of black and white diamonds with dangling earrings to match.

My mouth drops. “I can’t wear those! I couldn’t take it if something were to happen to them”

“You have to,” she replies. “Darren said my year-end bonus depends on you looking your best.”

“This is too much,” I murmur, but I take the jewels and put them on.

“Now you’re ready,” Cheryl pronounces.

I look at her with gratitude. “Thank you. I’m sure you went above and beyond your job description as club manager.”

“I do a lot of things for Darren besides managing his club. Now, go show Darren.”

Letting out a breath, I walk out onto the veranda where Darren is sitting. He looks up and doesn’t say anything at first. I worry that maybe one of the earrings fell off or that the lady in the beauty salon overdid the makeup.

Darren rises slowly, still silent.

“Is my lipstick smudged?” I wonder, and open my clutch to find a mirror.

He puts his hand over mine and leans in to say in my ear. “You look stunning.”

I blush. Okay, I get the desire to dress up all the time, especially if one can get this kind of reaction.

“You, too,” I return. “Did you really make Cheryl’s bonus contingent on me wearing her jewelry?”

“No, I didn’t” he says. He looks to Cheryl, who has been standing to the side. “Clever.”