Chapter 2
The rest of the week William and Lizzie spent in his house on their "honeymoon". It consisted of sweatpants, card games, and movies. William also spent a little time each day getting to know her lab, Charlotte. Then monday came and William went to work. When Lizzie called during his lunch break, she asked if he had any spare cash lying around his house. He told her yes, told her where and came home and stifled a laugh. He had come home at three to get ready for the party and expected her to be to be painting, instead he found that Lizzie had turned the third floor corner loft (right next to his home office) into a proper art studio. Blank canvases, paint, brushes, and tables were everywhere including the walls and windows.
"We have to go to a diner party tonight Lizzie." She spun around and faced him. She was in ripped jeans that showed off her knees and were frayed throughout the rest of it. Why are you looking at her jeans? Focus! "You're going to need an evening dress, preferably floor length."
"Well I don't own anything like that, and do I really need to go?" She was his best friend, but sometimes she could be a real pain. He took out his wallet and handed her his credit card.
"Here. Go to the department store and buy whatever you want. The party starts at six, so we leave ten to." She sighed, took the card and left her materials out on the tables. He went upstairs to shower. He went down to his car to get his suit and found Lizzie pulling into the garage. She was shopping for less than an hour. Of course she was, this is Lizzie! She got out of her 1960 electric blue bug with a long dress bag and a box, handed him his credit card and went back into the house. He got ready in less than an hour and waited for her at the bottom of the stairs. She came down five minutes before they had to leave, and when he saw her, he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. She was wearing a long midnight blue dress with thick straps, but a plunging neckline, her shoes were a creamy white and peeked out from under her dress every time she took a step down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, he signaled for her to turn. She did and the back of the dress made him happy to be a man. The neck clasped right at the bottom of her neck and the best part was there was no back; the fabric swooped down and hung two inches above her butt. He cited his approval, she sighted hers, and they went and got into his car. Before they entered the party he pulled Lizzie aside.
"Before we go in can I ask you to do something for me? I'll owe you for this, new favor completely." She nodded. "Can you make nice with George Denny. He's looking for an architect for his new office building and I would really like the one he chooses to be mine." She nodded and as the door to the house opened, she winked at him.