"Oh this is beautiful," Amanda looked at her reflection in the mirror and twirled around once. "I've never had anything so glamorous." They were at the First Lady Boutique in Downtown Genoa City and Amanda had already tried on several dresses. This was the first formal gown and the price tag was steep-half of her annual salary her first year out of law school. There was an upcoming event that Billy said she should attend with him as there would be plenty of photographers present. It would be the perfect time for them to move their fake fiance ruse forward. Amanda still could not believe Billy agreed to help her so quickly.
Billy, who had been leaning a shoulder against the wall watching her try on the gown, came to stand behind her. "This dress would not be complete without this." He draped a studded necklace around her neck.
"Billy, it's gorgeous," she replied, fingering the gems. "I'm going to feel like I'm attending a Hollywood premiere."
"Would you like to attend a premier? Say the word and I'll arrange it."
"What? Really? You got it like that ?"
"I'm in between jobs so this is my main occupation right now, being your fake fiance."
"I would love to go to a Hollywood premiere, but I need to stick close to Genoa City since this case with Devon Hamilton is already ongoing and you are already doing too much. I couldn't ask you to do anymore," Amanda replied. "And in the contract I'm going to include a stipulation that I return all jewelry, dresses and anything else that was required to make this look authentic."
"Contract?" Billy raised his brows as they regarded one another in the mirror.
"Of course I'm going to draw up a contract," Amanda laughed and added,"what if I didn't and then later I came after you saying you promised to marry me and then I say you ruined my life because you failed to do so and then sue you for breach of contract."
Billy's expression froze then he smiled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now why didn't I think of that? Guess I would have been a sitting duck if those were your intentions."
Amanda turned to face him and patted his cheek, "That's why you need a good lawyer to protect you from women who are as smart and ruthless as I am, but without my moral compass. This is going to be a fair exchange. Trust me, you'll need my services one day."
Billy shrugged, "Yeah, but that's not my concern. I have a friend named Paul, who had a beautiful wedding, and was happy for several years with his wife. Then the whole thing collapsed and he paid for an expensive divorce. Now his life revolves around not getting taken for a ride again. But If someone stabbed me in the back I'd gladly' pay them off and be done with it. It's only money and I choose not to live my life in fear."
"You wouldn't say that if you grew up the way I did. In foster care living in other people's houses with a very meager clothing allowance from the state."
Billy's eyes softened. "That must have been rough, Amanda. You're right I can't even imagine. Look, I want you to keep the dress and anything else I might buy you during this..uh .thing.."
"No, you don't." Amanda wagged a finger at him. "You don't get to feel sorry for me. Because even in my discount store clothes and Salvation army hand me downs…" She returned her attention back to her reflection in the mirror while doing an exaggerated pose that made Billy chuckle. "I still knew I was fabulous."
"I don't doubt that for a second," Billy nodded.
"So do we make a believable couple?" Amanda turned to face him. She wanted to reach out and smooth the lapels of his jacket. She wanted to stand on her tip toes and kiss him. It felt like the right thing to do, but they were only pretending to be a couple in public when there was an audience. In particular a photographer who would take pictures of them and post them online. Ripple would then see them and realize she'd moved on. Case closed.
"Ms. Nira assumed you were my new lady friend and I didn't even say a word." Ms. Nira was the owner of the First Lady boutique. She greeted them warmly when they first entered the shop and asked Billy about Traci, Ashley and Abby whom she'd been styling for years.
"How do you know what Ms. Nira was thinking?" Amanda looked at him skeptically. "She didn't say anything."
"Not in your presence, but when you were in the dressing room, she suggested the necklace and winked at me."
"Because she knows you don't look at price tags and started to salivate the second you walked in the door. Of course she's going to recommend expensive jewelry."
"My aren't you cynical."
"It's my job to examine motivations."
A look flashed across Billy's face then that she couldn't quite interpret. "What?" She asked.
Billy shrugged. "I just thought of something. It's not even worth mentioning."
"OK. Since you obviously have money to burn, I have an idea, let's donate this dress to a charity I know of back in Madison, it's like Dress for Success but instead of interview suits, they provide formal wear like prom dresses and gowns for low income women. There's a gala at the end of the year. I've always wanted to volunteer with them, but just never had the time. If I donate this dress, they'll probably make me the freaking president of the organization."
"We'll donate another dress. Now that I've seen you in this one, I don't want anyone else to wear it but you."
"My aren't you sentimental. If money is just money, then is a dress, not just a dress?"
Billy sucked in a breath."Not when you're wearing it."
Silence filled the room as they stared at one another. Ms Nira bustled into their private dressing area asking where to have the dress delivered. Billy instructed her to send everything to the Grand Phoenix. Then Billy waited while Amanda changed.
"So I was thinking we'd retrace our steps from yesterday," Billy said as they left First Lady Boutique.
"Good thinking," Amanda agreed. "Whomever took our picture yesterday might make it a habit of hanging out in Chancellor Park.
Billy offered Amanda his arm and she graciously accepted, linking her arm through his as they walked to his car and then made their way across the city.