*Ava*I wonder just how many of Emma’s dresses are curve-hugging the way the last two have been, because, once again, I’m wearing a perfectly form-fitting dress, this time in burgundy. It has a low-cut V in the front that plunges between and past my breasts, yet still manages to stay classy.As I apply my make-up, all kinds of misgivings wash over me. James clearly has a taste for gorgeous women. I saw it online. Am I really going to be able to measure up to his standards?I fluff my blonde hair, leaving the long locks loose today, falling around my shoulders in gentle waves. A matching clutch purse and borrowed stiletto heels complete the look.My opinion is that I look pretty good, but who knows what someone rich and famous like James is going to think?To bolster my confidence, I walk over to the kitchen and run a fingertip over the soft petals of one of the two dozen roses Liam sent me. The card still made me laugh.A buzz let me know someone is waiting downstairs. I sw

*Ava*“So, what time are we studying today?” Noah asks on the phone the moment after I say hi.“Because otherwise, I have no idea how I’m going to pass this damn final.”I find myself smiling and shaking my head at his words. Noah’s no idiot. He’s much smarter than he gives himself credit for. After all, he’s always had my back through the years, and we’ve managed to get this far together. Studying with him sounds like a great idea. It’ll make sure that I’ve gone over the material and feel ready for this final.I look over at the clock, thinking. “How about we do it in a few hours? Come over, and we can set up in my room to get ourselves organized.”“You’re a lifesaver!” Noah booms. I can hear his smile coming through the phone. “Awesome, thank you, Ava. I’ll be over soon.”I shake my head again but hang up the phone before laughing. He’s a good friend to me, and I genuinely don’t know where I’d be without his help. It’s the least I can do to study with him before this s

*Ava*I look from Emma to my bedroom, searching for the right words to use so that I seem casual in my exit. “I’d love to keep chatting, but I am absolutely spent from this day. I’m gonna go to bed.” Thankfully, she doesn’t try to make me stick around and continue talking. “I’ll see you in the morning.” We give each other another hug, and I’m once again reminded of how she is the best friend I’ve ever had. I’m so glad she’s home. She wishes me good night, blowing me a kiss. What would I possibly do without her?I head into my bedroom before closing the door. As soon as the coast is clear, I pull out my phone to call Liam. The rush of nervousness and adrenaline that flows through me at the thought of hearing his voice again makes me smile to myself as I wait for Liam to pick up the phone. I don’t have any patience anymore. Everything I feel with him, I just want it to be happening all the time, now. Everything about him makes me feel … senseless.“Ava,” he says when he answe

*Ava*James stands in the doorway, smiling and dressed so well I have no choice but to be embarrassed by whatever I am wearing.I look down, see I’m wearing boxers and a camisole top with fuzzy bunny slippers on my feet, and blush from my hairline to my toenails.“Hey, gorgeous,” James says, his eyes following my blush. At least I hope they’re following my blush.Actually, his gaze makes me a bit self-conscious and I fold my arms over my breasts. I still smile, though. “What brings you here?” I ask. “Sorry about the uh … I wasn’t exactly … expecting company.”“No complaints here,” James replies and I get uncomfortable all over again. He isn’t Liam. I don’t want him looking at me the same way Liam does.With Liam, I’d be getting tingles. Now? My skin feels a bit clammy.“Um…” I try again, shifting from bunny slipper to bunny slipper.James grins at me, finally taking his eyes off my assets. “I wanted to take you shopping for our date tonight.”I suppose anyone would lo

*Ava*I am arm candy. That’s all I can say. I am standing in a room full of men who are talking and laughing and discussing business, and staring at other women like me who are vapidly hanging onto the men they came with and giving a little giggle – or even a little wiggle – when some other man’s attention turns their way.They sip champagne and they giggle.All. Night. Long.And now … now I’m one of them.As a graduate student studying management, this should be a golden opportunity for me to network. But aside from introducing me around to his colleagues when we got there, James has preferred for me to be a silent statue at his side.I hate it. I want out of here.I try to think of some excuse, any excuse, to leave this hell of being surrounded by Stepford women.I have a brain. No man here thinks I can use it. Least of all, it seems, James. James is all charm. Mostly. Actually, I start to think he might not be as charming as I originally thought, that first niggle