NIGHT, ELLEN wore her most elaborate outfit—slim black velvet pants and a silver lamé top. She’d spent hours debating whether an evening gown would have been more appropriate, but had finally decided on the pants. Examining herself from every direction in the full-length mirror that hung from her closet door, Ellen released a pent-up breath and closed her eyes. This one night, she wanted everything to be perfect. Her heels felt a little uncomfortable, but she’d get used to them. She rarely had any reason to wear heels. She’d chosen them now because Reed had said there’d be dancing and she wanted to adjust her height to his.
By the time she reached the foot of the stairs, Reed was waiting for her. His eyes softened as he looked at her. “You’re lovely.”
“Oh, Reed, are you sure? I don’t mind changing if you’d rather I wear something else.”
His eyes held hers for a long moment. “I don’t want you to change a thing.”
“Hey, Ellen.” Derek burst out of the kitchen, and stopped abruptly. “Wow.” For an instant he looked as though he’d lost his breath. “Hey, guys,” he called eagerly. “Come and see Ellen.”
The other two joined Derek. “You look like a movie star,” Pat breathed.
Monte closed his mouth and opened it again. “You’re pretty.”
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“It’s just that we’ve never seen you dressed...like this,” Pat mumbled.
“Are you going out with Charlie?”
Ellen glanced at Reed, suddenly unsure. She hadn’t dated Charlie in weeks. She hadn’t wanted to.
“She’s going out with me,” Reed explained in an even voice that didn’t invite comment.
“With you? Where?” Derek’s eyes got that mischievous twinkle Ellen recognized immediately.
“A party.”
“What about—” He stopped suddenly, swallowing several times.
“You had a comment?” Reed lifted his eyebrows.
“I thought I was going to say something,” Derek muttered, clearly embarrassed, “but then I realized I wasn’t.”
Hiding a smile, Reed held Ellen’s coat for her.
She slipped her arms into the satin-lined sleeves and reached for her beaded bag. “Good night, guys, and don’t wait up.”
“Right.” Monte raised his index finger. “We won’t wait up.”
Derek took a step forward. “Should I say anything to someone...anyone...in case either of you gets a phone call?”
“Try hello,” Reed answered, shaking his head.
“Right.” Derek stuck his hand in his jeans pocket. “Have a good time.”
“We intend to.”
Ellen managed to hold back her laughter until they were on the front porch. But when the door clicked shut the giggles escaped and she pressed a hand to her mouth. “Derek thought he was going to say something.”
“Then he realized he wasn’t,” Reed finished for her, chuckling. His hand at her elbow guided her down the steps. “They’re right about one thing. You do look gorgeous.”
“Thank you, but I hadn’t expected it to be such a shock.”
“The problem is, the boys are used to seeing you as a substitute mother. It’s suddenly dawned on them what an attractive woman you are.”
“And how was it you noticed?”
“The day I arrived and found you in my kitchen wearing only a bra, I knew.”
“I was wearing more than that,” she argued.
“Maybe, but at the time that was all I saw.” He stroked her cheek with the tip of his finger, then tucked her arm in his.
Ellen felt a warm contentment as Reed led her to the sports car. This was the first time she’d been inside, and the significance of that seemed unmistakable. She sensed that somewhere in the past two weeks Reed had made an unconscious decision about their relationship. Maybe she was being silly in judging the strength of their bond by what car he chose to drive. And maybe not. Reed was escorting her to this party in his Porsche because he viewed her in a new light. He saw her now as a beautiful, alluring woman—no longer as the college student who seemed capable of mastering everything but algebra.
The Space Needle came into view as Reed pulled onto Denny Street. The world-famous Needle, which had been built for the 1962 World’s Fair, rose 605 feet above the Seattle skyline. Ellen had taken the trip up to the observation deck only once and she’d been thrilled at the unobstructed view of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Looking out at the unspoiled beauty of Puget Sound, she’d understood immediately why Seattle was described as one of the world’s most livable cities.
For this evening, Reed explained, his office had booked the convention rooms on the hundred-foot level of the Needle. The banquet facilities had been an addition, and Ellen wondered what sort of view would be available.
As Reed stopped in front of the Needle, a valet appeared, opening Ellen’s door and offering her his gloved hand. She climbed as gracefully as she could from the low-built vehicle. Her smile felt a little strained, and she took a deep breath to dispel the gathering tension. She wanted everything about the evening to be perfect; she longed for Reed to be proud of her, to feel that she belonged in his life—and in his world.
Her curiosity about the view was answered as soon as they stepped from the elevator into the large room. She glanced at the darkened sky that resembled folds of black velvet, sprinkled with glittering gems. When she had a chance she’d walk over toward the windows. For now, she was more concerned with fitting into Reed’s circle and being accepted by his friends and colleagues.
Bracing herself for the inevitable round of introductions, she scanned the crowd for the man she’d seen outside the cinema. He didn’t seem to be at the party and Ellen breathed easier. If Dailey was there, he would surely make a comment about seeing her with Reed that night, and she wouldn’t know how to respond.
As they made their way through the large room, several people called out to Reed. When he introduced Ellen, two or three of them appeared to have trouble concealing their surprise that he wasn’t with Danielle. But no one mentioned Danielle and they all seemed to accept Ellen freely, although a couple of people gave her curious looks. Eventually, Ellen relaxed and smiled up at Reed.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked, his voice tender.
“Not at all.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Please.”
“Wine okay?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Ellen
