Chapter 2: Date Night

Jane

For those first few days, I tried to forget about Billy. At school, I kept to myself, trying to become invisible again like I had been at the beginning of the year. I avoided Lulu, Harper, and most of all, Nick. Between classes and during lunch, I'd find myself lingering in the hallways, unable to find solace in the gaping space that used to be Billy. His locker looked so lonely, without its door clumsily gaping open, revealing all the pictures of the two of us pinned inside.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't just forget about him. Billy had been by my side for too many years, my lifeline for the past tortuous years of high school. I felt lost without him.

At work, things were better. I tried to follow Gray's instructions by eradicating any remaining shred of a personal life I had left. She gave me projects. I delivered. There was more to do now that India was gone. And as I scurried around Donovan Decker with my various assignments, I often spotted Jeremy looking melancholy, staring into space. India's absence had affected him. It had cast a shadow over that newfound spark of passion in his work he had said I had created.

It was two weeks after Billy's incarceration that I ventured into his studio. The door was open, and I strode in.

"Hey, Jeremy."

"Hello, Jane." His tone was dismissive. He raised an eyebrow but didn't look up from his work. He was draping a mannequin.

I tried again. "So, how have you been?"

"I've been better." He continued to pin a liquid jersey with ruched detailing.

"So, I was thinking I may just take you up on that offer."

"Is that so?" Jeremy finally put his pins down, and looked at me.

"Yeah…" I wasn't quite sure what he was looking for.

A sarcastic smile played at his lips. "So that's it, then? You ignore me for two weeks and then decide I'm worth a shot?"

"Jeremy," I started. "It's not like that at all!"

"I bet you were occupied with that other guy."

I gasped. "Since when have you been jealous of who I see?"

He sighed, and suddenly, all his bitterness was gone. "I'm sorry, Jane. It's just that I put my heart out on the line for you, and you sort of just….walked away from it."
I answered carefully. "I never told you no. And for your information, I've not been with 'that other guy'. Let's just say…he's a convicted criminal." The words burned like acid on my tongue, and I willed myself to keep my emotions in check, where they belonged. Billy was far from that, but how else could I get Jeremy to believe me?

His eyebrows shot up, and suddenly color rushed to his pale cheeks. "I'm sorry, Jane. I really am." He was embarrassed now. Great.

"No, no, it's ok. It's totally fine." This was awkward. "So, are you still up for that date?"
Ne smiled and nodded. "Sure. How about we go somewhere tonight, after work?"

I grinned. "Perfect. I'll come down to your studio after Gray's done with me."

I swished out of the studio, my tulle skirt swirling around me. I felt victorious.

"Can't wait!" Jeremy called.


The rest of the afternoon was spent hurrying around the city, doing errands for Gray. She finally released me at eight that night, and I fluttered down to Carter's stylist closet for a quick wardrobe change. Jeremy had already told him the news.

"Someone needs a date dress!" He wiggled his eyebrows, and I laughed, trying to ignore the pang in my stomach. Billy did the same thing. But he's not here now, I told myself. I forced myself to forget.

Carter apparently had already thought this one through; he had a rack full of possible options to try.

"What look are you going for tonight?" He asked me, even though he already knew my personal style to a T.

"I was thinking a bit more sexy," I started out slowly. Even the word sent prickles down my spine. I'd always been the tame, innocent, cute Jane. But I was going out with Jeremy. He was so much older than I was. I didn't want to look like a girl next to a man.

Carter stifled a snicker and handed me a Versace gown with their signature plunging neckline. I gulped and began to strip. The dress, once on, dropped all the way to my navel. "I don't know, Carter," I mused, unsure. "It seems a little too…J Lo 2002 awards, if you know what I mean."

"Of course." Carter had other options too.

I glanced through the rack of long couture gowns and stopped in front of one slinky Marchesa number. It was a strapless with a sweetheart neckline, with a defined waist and layers of dreamy organza. The shade was a deep emerald green. "It's perfect," I breathed.

"Girl, it's also too long," Carter said sympathetically.

"Can I cut it?" I ventured.

"It's couture. Are you insane?" He looked at me like I was.

But as I examined the hem and lining of the skirt, I got an idea. "Can I baste this?"
Carter looked unsure for a moment, but then he shrugged. "I picked this out for Grey, but she doesn't like it. Go ahead, I guess. Just be careful."

My mind was already racing with alteration options. "I will," I answered absently.

Several minutes later, I had shortened the skirt by pinning it to the waistband on the inside. The result was a mini length bubble skirt with a dramatic volume of filmy organza. As Carter zipped me in, picked out a pair of nude Christian Louboutin pumps and a clear Vera Wang belt to accentuate my slim waist. Carter stopped me. "Na-uh. Put the belt back," he commanded in his superior stylist tone.

I laughed at him. "Why? It completes the outfit!" But even as I said this I saw in the mirror what he was talking about. I sighed.

"You know what Coco says…the key to accessorizing is taking off the last thing you put on." Carter was satisfied.
I returned the belt.

I returned to the mirror and realized for the first time that the bodice was quite snug, and quite a bit more cleavage was showing than I had intended. "Do you think it's ok?" I asked Carter. He shrugged. "If you take off your bra, you won't have a wardrobe slip."

I removed my pushup and immediately exhaled in relief. Problem solved. My décolletage was elegantly covered.

Just then, Jeremy rapped on the open door. "Can I come in?"
I gasped a little, and spun around to face him.

"Wow. You look…marvelous." His eyes strayed downward and back up again. He stepped up to me and, with one hand around my waist, escorted me out the door. I had just enough time to turn back and mouth a 'thank you' to Carter.


Jeremy had reserved seats for us at one of the fanciest Italian restaurants in town. I was simply grateful we weren't dining French, after what happened last time with our important Japanese client. The waiter seated us at one of the best tables near the window, overlooking the bustling streets of the city. I gazed upon it, now lit up with a thousand glittering lights.

"You're looking quite lovely tonight," Jeremy murmured smoothly, interrupting my requiem and making me blush prettily. "Thanks," I acknowledged. "You…don't look so bad yourself."

"So," he said, with a new businesslike tone affecting his voice, "Are you ready?"

"For…what?" I was confused.

He laughed. "For a promotion, Jane!"

With my blank stare he continued. "Now that India's gone, Gray's looking for a replacement."
"Oh, that. I-I thought she was interviewing for that."

Jeremy leaned forward. "That may be so, but we all know you're her first option. Face it, she trusts you more than she ever did India. Plus, it also has to do with office—"

"—politics," I finished wearily. I'd heard this before.

"Yes! Gray is still upset about India's betrayal. She's not about to bring someone in from the outside anytime soon."

I tried to nod understandably, but my mind was elsewhere, beyond the workplace. "Hey Jeremy, how did you get into fashion in the first place?"


Hours later, Jeremy and I rode the elevator up to his apartment. I'd promised myself I wouldn't stay, but after such a lovely dinner, my decisions were conflicted. Jeremy's apartment was stark and minimalistic, representative of the time he'd spend interning for couturier Tadashi in Japan. But as I stepped to the window, the view was incredible. We were even higher up then at the restaurant. And the furnishings around me, though minimalistic, oozed restrained glamour.

"Won't you have a seat?" Jeremy had taken his signature vest and tie off, and was unbuttoning the top of his shirt. I glanced at the petite leather sofa and perched on the edge of it. "Tea, Jane?"
"Uh, sure." I wasn't quite sure what kind of British traditions Jeremy entertained, but I was willing to go along with it. He bustled around the miniature kitchen, readying the hot water and crackers with an elegant ease I had always admired about him. I watched him closely, trying to evaluate if I was falling for his charm or personality, or both.

The phone rang loudly in the other room, and we both started. "Excuse me," Jeremy murmured, and for a brief instant, a panicked look flashed across his face. He quickly disappeared into the other room to take the call, and I was left alone to my thoughts.

But, of course, I was curious. I sat still for a few minutes, then crept over to the phone in the kitchen. I could hear Jeremy almost shouting in the other room. Ever so delicately, I picked up the receiver.

It was obvious from the onset I had intruded upon the middle of an argument. In an instant I recognized India's familiar shrieking voice. Only this time, it sounded a bit different.

"Jeremy, you've got to tell her the truth!"
"I can't, India. You know what that'd do to my career." Jeremy sounded pretty upset, too.

"It can't be worse than what she did to me," said India, resentment seeping into her tone. "Plus, Gray hates you a lot less than she hates me."

"It doesn't matter. Once the word gets out, she'll despise me regardless."

"YOU HAVE TO TELL HER." India sounded like she was at her breaking point now.

"And why should I?" Jeremy was indignant. "Just so you can get your job back?"

Suddenly, there was silence on the other end of the line.

"India, what is it?" He was concerned now, and I was thoroughly confused.

"I can't come back, ever."
"Why not? I'm sure, after several months, Gray will forgive you."

"She won't. I can't. "

But Jeremy didn't seem to be listening. "Plus, there's always Bo…."

"I hate you and your secrets!" India screamed.

"What's wrong, India?" Jeremy was seeing through her tough façade. She was hiding something.

After a long pause, I heard India's voice again. "Remember that night on the rooftop of my apartment?"

"How could I forget?"
Suddenly, I was nervous for Jeremy. I had an idea where this was going.

"Jeremy, forget it. I screwed up."

I struggled to regain composure as I quietly set the phone back in its rocker. Then I dashed into the bathroom.

Jeremy was knocking on the door in a few moments. "Jane, are you alright?"
"I'm feeling a bit sick. It must have been the fish," I called.

"We had chicken."

There was a pause, as I scrambled my brains. "I'm a vegetarian."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm…sorry." I splashed some water on my face, flushed the toilet, and threw open the door.
Jeremy looked slightly exasperated, and his face was unnaturally pale.

"I've got to go," I informed him, and made a dash for the door.

"Wait, Jane, are you sure about this?" He caught my arm but I wrenched lose, struggling to control my emotions.

"Yes, I'm sorry Jeremy, I'll see you tomorrow!" I blurted, even though it was Friday.

I dashed down the stairs, not waiting for the elevator, not bothering to count the flights I flew down. By the time I got to street level, I had to catch my breath. The realization had finally hit me—Jeremy was the mole. India had covered for him because she still had feelings. And there was a secret about her too. But right now, I wouldn't think about that.