Crystal (Follow That Dress #1) by Cherrie Mack

Author:Cherrie Mack [Mack, Cherrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B014LRV79A
Publisher: Cherrie Mack
Published: 2015-10-01T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Martin and Claire Salinger were already seated when Robert and Crystal arrived at the Plaza. Crystal was surprised to see how much the two brothers looked alike. Martin was an older and more distinguished version of Robert but just as good-looking. His wife, Claire, looked elegant and refined. As they approached the table, Crystal watched Martin lean over and whisper in his wife’s ear. Feeling ill at ease in a place such as this, Crystal took a deep breath and pushed forward.

After awkward introductions, the conversation was strained. They asked the same boring questions all through the appetizers. Crystal faked a smile until her cheeks hurt. Robert droned on about business as Martin listened intently. Claire was on her eighth yawn when she caught Crystal smirking at her. She cracked her own smile as the two made a silent but undeniable connection.

They struck up a courteous conversation as they complimented each other on their choice of dress. Claire wore a plain black cocktail dress and had dressed it up with two-carat diamond studs in her ears. The diamond that graced her ring finger was so large Crystal couldn’t stop staring at it. The presence of the oversized diamonds reminded Crystal of the absence of her own. She owned nothing bigger than half-carat diamond earrings her dad had bought her when she graduated from high school.

She wore a navy trapeze dress with a large ornate collar. It eliminated the need for jewelry, which was one of the reasons she’d bought it. The chiffon material flowed around her body. To her surprise she had lost two pounds since the mayhem in the fitting room at Bergdorf Goodman. But, since the dress was sleeveless, she’d paired it with a bolero jacket that provided just the right amount of warmth. The mid-thigh length showed off the legs that Crystal always hid.

She had been unable to apologize to Robert since meeting him in the lobby, which wasn’t her idea. In fact, it made her even more anxious she was unable to voice her regrets. He’d been surrounded by people when she arrived and remained on his phone, tying up what he called “the loose ends of the work day” during the drive. The fun-loving Robert had disappeared overnight, and it was back to business as usual. She now realized he used his ultra-business-like persona just as she used her sarcasm, as a defense mechanism.

While waiting for their appetizers to arrive, Crystal questioned the Salinger family about their annual charity event. “Do you change the benefactor of your event every year or is it always for breast cancer?” Robert cast his eyes downward. He was uncomfortable. “We lost our mother to breast cancer fifteen years ago. It is our way of honoring her.” In that moment, Crystal realized Robert had somehow gotten past her defenses and one step closer to having her heart.

Once the appetizers were cleared away, the ladies retreated to the powder room. Claire stood in front of the mirror fussing with her hair as Crystal applied fresh gloss to her lips.

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