Chapter 9 Untitled Chapter
Are you home?
Marie stared at the text from Ryan for a second before typing back.
Yeah……Kinda Busy.
She sent it, then reached for another chip from the bowl resting on her lap.
The television played while she sat curled into the corner of her couch wearing oversized gray sweatpants and one of Ann’s old college hoodies.
Her phone buzzed again.
Three dots appeared immediately.
I need us to discuss tomorrow’s dinner.
Marie: Can’t it wait until morning?
A pause.
Then:
No.
Marie sighed dramatically and tossed her phone beside her.
Two minutes later, her doorbell rang.
“No way.”, she muttered.
The bell rang again.
Marie groaned and pushed herself off the couch.
When she opened the door, Ryan stood there looking entirely too expensive for a random evening visit.
Dark coat with a blue shirt underneath. Hands in his pockets with a sly smile on his face.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Ryan stepped inside casually. “You said you were busy.”
“I am busy.”
Ryan glanced toward the couch where the chips and soda sat openly.
“…Right.”
Marie shut the door harder than necessary. “What are you doing here?”
“You weren’t answering properly.”
“I literally answered.”
Ryan looked around the apartment briefly.
It was small but warm. Books stacked on side tables. Blankets tossed carelessly over furniture. It felt too comfortable.
Ryan looked back at her. “You live like a retired librarian.”
Marie looked offended. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
She walked past him toward the kitchen. “You came all the way here to insult me”
“No,” Ryan said calmly. “I came to save tomorrow night.”
Marie stopped. “What’s wrong with tomorrow night?”
“You.”
She stared at him flatly. Ryan smiled.
“Your dress sense sucks.”
Marie cheeks turned bright red from embarrassment.
“I’m sorry?”
“You dress like a grandma”
“That is not true.”
Ryan pointed toward the hoodie she wore. “Who owns that?”
“My sister”
“It’s ugly……is it a family issue?”
“She doesn't like it though.”
Marie narrowed her eyes humorously. “You do notice what I wear?”
“I notice everybody, don't think that you are special” Ryan sighed softly. “Marie.”
“No, this is getting interesting.”
“You dress badly.”
“There we go again.”
Ryan walked toward her calmly. “Tomorrow’s dinner matters.”
“So?”
“So you cannot show up dressed like a substitute chemistry teacher.”
Marie gasped. “That was personal.”
She crossed her arms tighter. “I dress fine.”
Ryan stared at her for a moment.
Then:
“You own seven versions of the same cardigan.”
Marie couldn't hold the laughter.
“There,” he said. “You know I’m right.”
Marie sighed. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I’m taking you shopping.”
“No.”
“Yes. You already agreed to the dinner.”
“That doesn’t include a makeover.”
“It absolutely does.”
Marie shook her head immediately. “I’m not letting you control my wardrobe.”
Ryan looked completely unconcerned. “Too late.”
“You’re impossible.”
She pointed at him accusingly. “You’re weirdly invested in this.”
“I’m invested in not losing an investor because my fake fiancée dresses like she files taxes for fun.”
Marie recovered quickly. “You make me look uptight”
“Get your shoes.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
Marie stared at him another second before groaning dramatically.
“You’re paying.”
“Obviously.”
“And I’m getting food afterwards.”
Ryan nodded once. “Reasonable.”
Marie pointed toward the couch. “Give me ten minutes.”
Ryan sat while she disappeared into her room.
He glanced around the apartment again while waiting.
Family pictures sat along the shelves. Mostly Marie and Ann.
No parents, she rarely talked about them.
Marie returned a few minutes later wearing a cream top tucked into dark jeans and a fitted black coat……her boots didn't help matters.
Ryan looked up.
Marie frowned immediately. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“You did the scanning thing.”
“What scanning thing?”
“Nevermind”
Ryan stood slowly. “You surprise me sometimes.”
Marie looked offended again. “You are consistently rude.”
“And yet still correct.”
The boutique Ryan chose looked absurdly expensive.
Marie stopped outside immediately.
“Oh absolutely not.”
Ryan kept walking.
“Ryan……sir.”
“You’ll survive.”
She followed reluctantly inside, dragging herself.
Soft gold lighting reflected against polished mirrors while elegant dresses lined the walls in carefully arranged color palettes.
Marie already looked stressed.
A woman approached them with a practiced smile. “Good evening.”
Ryan nodded politely. “We need formal dinner wear.”
The woman’s eyes moved briefly between them, especially on Marie.
“Of course.”
Marie noticed the assumption immediately and ignored it.
The consultant led them deeper into the boutique.
“So,” she asked lightly, “what kind of event?”
“Dinner with someone important,” Ryan answered.
Twenty minutes later, dresses covered half the fitting area.
Marie stared at the pile in horror.
“This is excessive.”
Ryan looked entirely calm sitting nearby.
“You need options.”
“I need one dress.”
“The more, the merrier.”
Marie disappeared into the fitting room muttering under her breath.
A minute later she stepped out wearing the first dress.
It was soft champagne silk with thin straps and a fitted waist.
It was elegant and simple, Ryan studied it quietly.
Marie looked unsure. “Well?”
Ryan tilted his head slightly. “Too safe. You look polite.”
Marie stared at him in disbelief.
“What does that even mean?”
“You look boring.”
She disappeared again.
The second dress was dark green velvet with long sleeves and a dramatic slit along one leg.
Ryan’s eyes lifted slowly.
Marie shifted awkwardly. “This one feels aggressive.”
“It looks rich too….. beautiful though.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Ryan stood and walked closer.
The dress hugged her body more than the first one. The emerald color made her skin look warmer.
Ryan looked thoughtful.
“Better,” he admitted.
Marie narrowed her eyes. “I feel cheap…..I do not want this.”
She rolled her eyes again and disappeared behind the curtain.
The next dress nearly killed him. Marie stepped out slowly wearing black satin.
It was backless and tight hugging soft curves that Ryan didn't know was there.
The slit climbed shamelessly up her thigh while the neckline dipped lower than anything he had ever seen her wear. Her full cleavage on display.
Ryan stared openly this time.
Marie immediately looked uncomfortable. “Absolutely not.”
Ryan still stared shamelessly, standing up now. “That one.”
“No.”
“Yes……you look gorgeous”
“No.”
“You’re keeping it.”
“Sir……”
“You’re keeping it.”
Marie crossed her arms. “I look like a slut.”
Ryan looked entirely unapologetic. “I don't mind you being my slut.”
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“Nothing serious”
Marie pointed at him. “You’re impossible.”
Ryan sank back to the chair, still watching her.
The black satin clung to every curve she usually buried under office clothes.
Marie disappeared before he could say anything else.
A few dresses later, exhaustion started showing, she walked out. The dress was blue.
Ryan went completely quiet.
The dress was elegant without trying too hard.
Off-shoulder neckline. Fitted bodice. Smooth fabric that flowed perfectly down her body without looking stiff. The color itself was rich and deep, almost electric beneath the boutique lights…..the perfect fit for a hot wife.
Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders now from changing rep
eatedly.
For a second Ryan genuinely forgot to speak,he nearly got aroused.
Marie felt embarrassed.
“…What?”
Ryan looked at her carefully.
No oversized cardigans, no office bun
Just Marie and she was beautiful.
Marie’s beauty was blinding, quite unexpected.
Ryan decided.
“That’s the one.”
