“Okay. I’m going to let you go. Call me sometime, though! I want to hear about all the fun I’m missing out while I’m on the trail,” Meredith said, feeling guilty for postponing her best friend’s beauty rest.
She was sure Lily’s schedule was hectic. But unlike hers, each day would be filled with laughter and meeting new people. Endless drinking, dancing and partying. She was so freaking jealous of her!
Lily batted her lashes before pressing the bridge of her nose, fighting the urge to fall asleep immediately.
“Okay, I’ll try not to get another best friend while you’re off with Romeo,” Lily teased, making her blush.
“Shut up.”
“You shut up.”
“Alright, bye,” Meredith said with a smile before ending the call.
“Romeo, huh?” she said to herself, chuckling. If only, she thought.
Her thoughts were disturbed by a knock on her door. Quickly, she opened it and saw Sosie standing outside.
“Uh… hey,” she greeted hesitantly, looking up and down the hall. Maybe Sosie had been looking for someone else and knocked on her door by mistake.
The woman eyed her for a moment, then handed her a garment bag. Meredith stared at it, confused.
“Get dressed. You're coming with us to a charity dinner tonight. You'll be taking Marie's spot; she isn't feeling well.” Meredith didn't even think of trying to argue with Sosie. Not that Sosie would take no for an answer, she suspected.
“How long do I have to get ready?” she asked, awkwardly trying to hold the bag.
“Fifteen minutes, max,” she responded after a quick glance on her phone. “I’ll text you the info for the venue. I’ll see you there,” Sosie added before turning on her heels and marching away from Meredith’s door.
Rushing back inside her room, Meredith pulled out the dress from the bag. Her jaw practically dropped to the ground as she stared at a gorgeous black gown. It looked simple, yet elegant. And she was confident she’d look stunning in it.
Aside from the gown, there were a couple of accessories inside the bag. But she settled for the simplest one – a black choker with an oval pendant that had a black crystal at the center.
A smile crept onto her mouth as excitement engulfed her. She thought that maybe this campaign wasn’t so bad after all.
Stripping off her clothes, Meredith did her best to look presentable in the short amount of time she had. She'd had to skip a shower since there wasn't enough time, but she could at least wash her face and brush her teeth before applying fresh makeup.
She was determined to look her best.
Well, not really her best best – for now – since she didn’t have a choice about what to wear. But at least she could try to make do with what she had.
After roughly ten minutes, she was surprised to find herself fully dressed and prepared as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Lily’s going to freak out once she hears about this, she thought while grabbing her purse with the essentials in it – cellphone, credit cards and a bit of cash.
She had the concierge summon a cab for her. Checking the time on her phone, she was glad to hear the venue wasn't far from their hotel.
When the cab pulled over, she got off without hesitation, fully unaware that it was a red carpet event she'd be attending. Meredith shielded her face from the blinding camera flashes with her purse.
Just as she got used to the photographers, a limo pulled over in front of her.
She found herself breathless when Elijah emerged, leaving her speechless at how handsome he was. He looked like a panther in his black ensemble. His broad shoulders were apparent, as was his lean body.
She thought she’d look even better by his side, walking down the red carpet together.
But her fantasy immediately vanished when Sosie got down from the limo. She was wearing a burgundy satin gown, which looked amazing on her.
Right. How could she forget about the gorgeous campaign manager? As much as Meredith didn’t want to think about it, she could sense that Sosie was definitely interested in Elijah. Just like every other woman he meets, she thought, rolling her eyes.
Clutching her purse, she took a deep breath and managed to crack a smile when the two noticed her presence. She would have turned and walked away already if she didn't think it would be inexcusably rude.
Until…
“Good evening, Meredith,” Elijah greeted her, shooting her a huge grin. “Glad you made it,” he added, looking her up and down admiringly.
She nodded when her eyes met his grey ones.
There was something in his stare that made her shudder in anticipation. Something that sent her messages of carnal awareness, like he found her to be the sexiest person alive.
Her stomach fluttered at the idea. An unfamiliar sensation engulfed her. It wasn’t lust or happiness.
Instead, she was flattered.
She must have been crazy, but that’s what she sensed.
Elijah Scott wanted her.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she replied, trying her best to keep her expression polite and neutral.
Elijah beamed at her, and Sosie scowled.
But it didn't bother her one bit. She knew why Sosie was acting that way.
The two turned and made their way down the red carpet, leaving Meredith behind. But somehow, she didn’t feel so out of place.
After all, she loved a good party.
Chapter Eleven
Eli looked out over the crowd as he wrapped up the last few lines of his speech. Charity events such as this one weren't anything new, but he had to appear appropriately impressed, after all. He was virtually on autopilot, so he was mildly startled when the crowd broke into thunderous applause, and he quickly moved to step down from the podium.
Sosie immediately came and wrapped a hand around his upper arm, steering him toward a crowded table.
“Remember that we're here for donor support,” she whispered under her breath as she smiled at a couple of middle-aged benefactors.
He sighed.
Eli hadn't grown up with this kind of wealth, and he certainly hadn't been raised in this kind of environment. But running for president meant he'd have to grin and bear it. It wasn't that he hated rich people. He just wasn't comfortable around them.
He shook hands with everyone Sosie introduced him to, made appropriate small talk, told jokes. But he couldn't remember the names of anyone he'd just met as his eyes constantly searched for Meredith.
He allowed himself to briefly fantasize about what it would be like to have Meredith as his date for an event like this. He suspected it would be fantastic. But he surprised himself by how much he wished that fantasy could become reality.
A few more minutes passed before he finally located her. She was fitting in quite well from the looks of things, looking completely at ease and in her element as she flitted around, chatting with various people. Of course the daughter of Benedict Fields would thrive in an environment like this. But he had never seen her wear her money like a mantle before, like these people.
Sosie led him to yet another table and introduced him to even more donors. He smiled and listened to their issues, promising their concerns would be his number one concerns if elected. Sosie expertly whisked him away just as the conversation started to lag.