Alex shook her head. She knew Beth didn’t like her, but she wasn’t going to dwell on that. “I think she’s just watching out for Jay.”
Kelly glanced at Alex with interest. She laughed; that rich, smooth sound belonged to a woman who lived her life to the fullest and was afraid of nothing.
“Yeah, she is,” Kelly said with a hint of doubt in her voice.
Alex wondered if Beth truly was that worried about Jay’s love life. Did she think it was her duty to find the right woman for him? Well, Alex could safely conclude she was not the girl for Jayden in Beth’s eyes.
“I hope at least one of my dresses will fit you,” Kelly commented. “Silly of Jayden not to tell you to bring dresses and gowns. After all, the party was his idea.”
Alex opened her mouth as if she were about to say something. But of course being shocked as she was right then, she couldn’t think of what to say. Jayden planned the party for her? And he never bothered to mention it to her all those times they chatted on Facebook? She’d have to ask him when she saw him next. She didn’t like parties, even normal parties back home, either the BBQ type that mainly involved families and close friends or the loud parties some of her acquaintances threw. Often she was so shy and so tongue-tied she never made good conversations with anyone—especially guys. If she got invited to a party, she’d be there at most half an hour, unless her family happened to be there, and then she’d be out the door before anyone caught her.
“Whoa! This is very nice,” she said once they were inside Kelly’s huge, elegant bedroom.
“Thanks,” Kelly replied, frowning slightly. She was thinking she must talk to Jay about what his real relationship with Alex was. And what happened to Sarah Taylor? Since he had returned, he had never once spoken of Sarah. Then there was this morning. She thought Jay and Sarah were back together after their fight, but instead of seeing the demanding Sarah at the front door, she saw Alex. How confusing everything was.
“Okay,” Kelly said, strolling toward the walk-in wardrobe. “Let’s see what I have that fits you.”
Alex clamped her lips together nervously as she followed Kelly. The first thing that came into her mind was that the wardrobe was bigger than her parents’ master bedroom back home, and only then did the oh my God kick in.
Kelly had thousands of clothes—designer brands. She wouldn’t be surprised if those so-called “fashion boutiques” in Dunedin blushed in shame when compared with Kelly’s wardrobe.
Kelly went through the many dresses that were hung along one side of the wall. “Which one?” she muttered to herself as she expertly inspected each one in turn. “You’re smaller than I am, so I don’t know if there’s anything. But of course I do sometimes wear a size smaller than I am. What size are you anyway?” She turned to look at Alex. “And don’t just stand there. Come here and help me pick.”
Alex hesitated. She didn’t want to mess up Kelly’s perfectly arranged clothing, even though she wanted to explore.
Kelly shook her head at Alex’s lack of response. She grabbed Alex by the wrist and said, “Wherever you’re from and whatever your relationship with my brother is, I don’t care. I’m going to dress you up, and that is that.”
Alex’s heart did a startled kick. “What do you mean?”
Kelly bit her lip for saying too much. Damn! “Nothing,” she said quickly. “If I guess rightly, you’re a size zero.”
“What? I’m not a size zero. I’m a size eight.”
“No, you’re not. You’re a size zero.”
“Eight.”
“Zero. Look at you. You’re so slim. You’re a zero.”
Alex cocked her head to one side. A size zero? That was truly ludicrous. Unless they had a different size system here in America. That made sense, then.
“Okay, I’m whatever size you’re saying.” She agreed.
Kelly nodded in satisfaction and turned to pick a green day dress. She brought it out and showed it to Alex.
“What do you think?”
Alex touched the silk fabric. It was smooth and soft under her fingers. She loved the tiny frills and the pleats that gathered to one side of the shoulder. It reminded her of a Greek Empire dress, only this one had less fabric, was shorter, and in a pale leaf green instead of pure white or gold. She was already falling in love with it. She could never afford anything this elegant.
“I can tell you really like it.”
Alex glanced at Kelly. “Are you sure you don’t mind? But what are you going to wear?”
Kelly laughed out loud at that remark. “You silly girl, I have hundreds of dresses I can wear. Now, try it on.”
“Now?”
“Of course now,” Kelly demanded, striding out the door. “Hurry up. We don’t have much time. We have to do your makeup as well.” She closed the wardrobe door.
Alex quickly undressed herself and put on the dress. Once done, she hesitantly scrambled to the full-length mirror and stared at herself.
“Oh my God,” she breathed. This is me? She looked different. She looked pretty.
“Are you ready yet?” Kelly burst in.
Alex turned to look at the laughing intruder.
“Well, well. You know, I never look good in that dress. But on you, you’re a different story altogether. Jay’s going to love this. I hope he knows how to breathe properly when he sees a pretty woman.”
“Why would he love this?” Alex asked.
Kelly laughed as she dragged her back into the bedroom. “Time for your makeup.”
“Oh, right,” Alex responded as she was gently pushed into the seat in front of the mirror.
* * * * *
Jayden never thought Beth would interrogate Alex as though she were a suspect in a murder case. Alex kept looking at him for guidance every time Beth fired a question at her. As if any of that were important, Jay thought gloomily. He rested his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. He could feel a headache coming.
“Heard your girlfriend has finally arrived,” a voice said at the door.
Jay flashed his eyes open to see his dad, Tom McCartney, standing there with his hands in the pockets of his trousers. Tall, brown hair, and grey eyes—and right then dressed in a Zegna suit—he looked handsome and powerful. He must have just returned from the McCartney Hotel.
“Hey, Dad,” he greeted. “Yeah, Alex is here.”
Tom came to sit beside his son. “You don’t look too happy.”
Jay thought his dad could say that again. “Beth.”
“Ah, Beth,” Tom said as if that explained everything. “Has she mentioned Britney yet?”
“Yeah. I hope she realizes it’s not going to happen.”
“Don’t you mind Beth. She’s only watching out for your future. A perfect granddaughter-in-law means everything to her. And you know how much she wants great-grandchildren.”
“Yeah,” Jay replied. He suddenly felt guilt mounting in his chest. Beth wanted great-grandchildren. It was his pleasure to provide her some. He loved her despite her controlling ways.
“There you are,” Gracie said from the door. “The two most important men in my life.” She waltzed into the room and kissed her husband smack on the lips. “I’ve missed you today.”