She rolled her eyes at me smiling “Always trying to be eco-conscious and saving the world” she teased “It’s simple. You don’t have to worry about budgeting with your clothes now and it’s not like Johnathon can see your bank statement. We’ll go to an upscale boutique, find some nice clothes” she paused and raked her gaze over me “and some sexy lingerie” she purred.
My mouth dropped open “What exactly do you think we’re going to be doing on a first date?” I asked indignantly.
“Oh, honey, I can only hope you do what I would,” she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder and regarding me with amusement “Besides it’s better to be prepared. I refuse to let you wear granny panties.”
She shuddered. I sipped the wine and sighed. I kicked my heels off and relaxed. “Rachel, I’m not going to be sleeping with a man on a first date. He’s a lawyer remember” I reminded her “I’ve already been hurt by one already, I’m not looking to get my heart broken by another.”
“Johnathon is an A grade Asshole,” Rachel said tightly “and Grayson Oakes is in a different league entirely. This man is an infamous bachelor. The fact you’ve even caught his eye, is freaking amazing. Stop underestimating yourself,” she said, shaking her head at me “and stop assuming the worst. Not all guys are like Johnathon. Some men really do want to settle down and love their wives. Not all of them are cheaters,” she said wisely.
“What is this obsession you have with Mr Grayson?” I asked her.
She coughed. “I read the gossip papers. He’s in them all the time. The amount of women he’s gone on a date with, I could count on one hand. He’s dedicated to his career. He built his law firm from the ground up. I’m just saying, you could do a lot worse than this guy” she said, peering over her glass at me.
I sighed “I’ll give him a chance, but don’t get your hopes up, Rachel. If he’s as infamous at being a bachelor as you say, then it may just be a one-time thing.”
“Not if he wants to live it won’t be” Rachel muttered under her breath, making me laugh at her antics.
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves,” I said with a smile “you can take me shopping tomorrow. You should know a boutique that meets my requirements, you go shopping all the time.”
“Ooh, am I sensing a whole new wardrobe change?” Rachel said eagerly.
I nodded “I think it’s time. A whole new Flair to go with the divorce.”
Rachel put her glass down on the coffee table and clapped her hands. “Yes,” she squealed “Oh we are closing the studio tomorrow and spending the day shopping. I know a boutique that will knock your socks off.”
“A whole day?” I asked incredulously as she looked at me open-mouthed “why would it take all day?”
“Oh Flair,” she said shaking her head and picking her glass back up “it has been a long time since you’ve been shopping hasn’t it?” she asked kindly “You’ve forgotten what it entails. That’s okay, Rachel will take care of you.”
I eyed her suspiciously. Rachel was notorious for dragging you from one shopping complex to another in search of the perfect shirt or bag. She was fussy, but I was more relaxed and easy-going.
“Rachel” I began warningly “I am not going from shopping centre to centre or boutique to boutique.”
She pouted “Fine.”
I finished my wine off. There came a knock on the door. I frowned and shot a confused look at Rachel.
“Are you expecting someone?” I asked.
“No,” she said bewildered.
I stood up and gingerly made my way to the door, opening it cautiously. I was greeted with the sight of a large bouquet of roses covering my sight of the delivery man.
“Miss Flair?” the man behind the bouquet asked in a gruff voice.
“That’s me,” I said slowly, staring wide-eyed at the flowers, struck silent by their beauty and the delicate perfume coming from them.
A hand shoved the flowers towards my face. I hastily put my hand out and grasped them. “Special delivery.”
The man turned and walked away, while I brought the flowers inside and shut the door. Rachel squealed and came over as I looked the gorgeous bouquet of rainbow roses over with a smile. Rachel plucked the card out as I protested and began to read.
“To Flair
Your smile reminds me of a brilliant rainbow.
I look forward to our date tomorrow. I will pick you up at 6:30
Grayson”
Wow. Rachel looked awestruck. I fetched a vase from the kitchen and carefully placed some water and the roses inside it, admiring the flowers on the bench.
“He went to a lot of effort to send you these at such short notice,” Rachel said, handing me the card so I could put it carefully away. “It must have cost a small fortune for this bouquet” she added, giving me a sidelong glance.
I smiled, tilting my head. “He has good taste” I allowed, stroking the petals and feeling my heart racing slightly.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.