“Take off your bra with it. A little side boob is sexy.”

Not that there was much of that. When I lost weight, I lost it all over, unfortunately. “I’ll take it off tonight.” I looked in the shoeboxes—the same black backless heels in three sizes: a 6, 6½, and 7.

“I don’t remember your exact size,” he told me.

“It’s six and a half.” I tried them on and waited for a comment. He spun his index finger and I turned around for him. “Okay?”

“You look lovely.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box sized for a ring or earrings. “Try these on.”

These. That meant earrings. I opened the box. Diamond studs. My eyes got big. “These are gorgeous!” I grinned. “God, there’s enough bling here for a sports team!” I looked at him. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. Try them on.”

“God, I’ve never seen anything so sparkly.” I hadn’t worn earrings in a very long time. The holes were still open, but it took a little maneuvering to thread the studs in back through my earlobes. When I was done, I pushed my hair back and looked in the bathroom mirror. “These are outrageous!” I told him. “You could see me coming a mile away.”

He was suddenly behind me, hands on my shoulders. “I’m glad you like them.”

I turned around and kissed his lips. “Thank you.”

He was staring at me. “I never got you an engagement ring, did I?”

“These more than make up for it.” I walked back into the bedroom and tried to unzip my skirt. “Chris, I really do want to see Juleen.”

“I know.” He unzipped my skirt and undid the straps in front. The dress fell from my shoulders and to the floor. He put his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. “What about Devek? I’m sure he bought you an engagement ring.”

“He did,” I said. “It was beautiful—an emerald surrounded by diamonds. He sold it, along with the other pieces he gave me as well as anything else we had of value, to help pay off his debts. We were almost out of the woods, until he went back to the tables one last time, which became two and three and four, and he got us deeper into debt than the first time.” I broke away and retrieved my Manson dress from the floor. I stepped into it. “Gambling never appealed to you?”

“Not a whit. I like money too much.”

“Good for you.” I took off my shoes and put on my slippers. “I’m ready.”

He looked at me intensely. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

“I’m happy to be your whore.”

“You’re not my whore.”

“Arm candy. Whatever. I’m happy to help. For tonight, can you get me a little makeup?”

“I’ll do your face. I’ll also do your hair.”