Adrienne was at my house at four-thirty on the dot, ready to help me choose an outfit and do my makeup for my date with Jeremiah later on today. She wasted no time. I wasn't even greeted when she barged into my place. She made a beeline for my closet and started looking for clothes for me to wear.

"Ri, you don't even know where we're going yet. You would know that if you bothered to say hello," I spoke as she moved hangers left and right.

"Oh please, girl, you said he ordered a car to pick you guys up and was wearing a five thousand dollar suit. You're going somewhere fancy," she stated matter of factly.

"How do you know he's not modest about his money? Not every rich person flaunts around their money, you know."

"Not everybody's like your family, KiKi. You know how to handle your wealth."

"Or lack thereof," I muttered under my breath. Our wealth all went down the toilet during my sophomore year of college. "And yeah, we do, but some people..." I trailed, referring to Mr. Justin Umbridge, who quite clearly, didn't.

"Justin got blackballed. He can't ruin anyone else's business like he did yours," Adrienne reassured with a warm smile.

"My parents still have five more kids to put through college, you know this. They have enough in their college funds, but the extra money could have been nice." I joined Adrienne at my closet, rummaging through dresses that might be suitable to wear tonight.

"Your brothers will be fine." She placed a warm hand on my shoulder. "What you need to focus on right now is getting ready for your date tonight with the tall, chocolate hottie."

"He has a name, you know?" I responded with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah. What's his name again?" she questioned. If there's one thing this girl is terrible at, its names.

"Jeremiah Diamond," I quickly responded, the name flowing smoothly off the tongue. His name sounded like a famous movie star's name, or maybe a model—definitely someone who's important and adored everywhere. You can't have a name like 'Diamond' and be a nobody.

I noticed Adrienne shoot me a glance out of the corner of my eyes, so I turned and raised a questioning brow. She turned from me quickly, continuing to rummage through these same dresses for the twentieth time. "You're forreal not gonna tell me what that look was about?"

"What look?" she asked, playing dumb. "Can I not look at my gorgeous best friend?" she questioned. She moved to bring her hand up to my face, me swatting it away.

"Not when you're acting suspect, no," I answered. "So you finna tell me why you were looking at me all weird?"

"I'm straight, thanks," she responded. "How about this dress?" She pulled out Temperley London's gold carnation dress. "It's gorgeous and is most definitely your color." She held the silk dress up to my dark complexion. "Oh yeah, this one." She shoved it into my arms and urged me to put it on.

"Are you sure this is fancy enough?" I held it up to my body and looked down at it, an unsure look on my face. It only fell to just above the ankles.

"I don't make a habit of eating at restaurants that make my bank account cry, but I'm assuming so," Adrienne assured. "Go put it on, and then you'll love it."

I gave in and started unbuttoning my jeans, shimmying them down my ashy, dry legs. Before I removed my top, I walked over to my bedside table, grabbed my cocoa butter lotion, and squirted some into my palm, lathering it all over my legs before continuing to undress.

Once I put it on, I stepped in front of a mirror and ran my hands of the silk material, gliding effortlessly. I relished in the feeling, missing the days when I'd be wearing dresses like this every other day to head to some fancy event.

As great as it is to live an average life as a woman who has to work her way up the social ladder like everyone else in my field, I missed the days where I would do my hair and makeup and slip into a dress as fancy as this. Everything was simpler when my only worries were dealing with people who had already dominated the social scene, people who I didn't really care for. But, it was all for the business, as my older sister would say.

"Hello? Earth to Kiara?" Adrienne snapped in front of my face, and I turned to her, my lips pursed. "You love it, right?" she asked, a knowing look already on her face. "I love it too, actually. How much was it? I want one."

"Uh, I don't remember exactly," I started as I walked back over to my closet to find a pair of shoes to match. "It was close to twelve-hundred, I'm pretty sure."

"Nevermind." I turned and held up a pair of heels to Adrienne, her shaking her head. I put them down and rummaged through a bit more before pulling out a couple of simple black ankle boots. "Those ones," she approved with a nod. "Dare I ask how much those are?"

"These were six hundred about," I blandly answered as I slipped my left foot into one of the boots. "This is my first time wearing them, though. If you want them after, they're all yours."

"You're gonna throw them out after one wear?" she exclaimed. "They're cute, and they go with almost everything; why would you get rid of them?"

"Because I would have already been seen out in them, of course," I answered with a short chuckle. "I can't wear something somebody's already seen - what impression would that give?"

"KiKi, you do realize you aren't going to get photographed tonight, right? I know when you went to big fancy dinners and all that you had to toss your clothes, but this is just a dinner." She took a moment to pause. "And, he'll get the impression that you're just a normal girl."

"So, you don't want the shoes after I get back?" I asked, ignoring what she said completely.

Adrienne and I held different beliefs when it came to clothes. Maybe it's because of our upbringings, where it was normal for me to toss clothes once I wore them once ever since I was three years old, or maybe her brain just worked differently than mine.

"Oh no, I'm taking the shoes."

"Okay then, stop complaining."

After Adrienne and I picked out some accessories - a simple necklace adorned with a pearl pendant a cute, black, circular clutch - I rummaged through my makeup bag. I began applying primer, foundation, and concealer. "Do you think I should go for a smokey, gold, or nude eye?" I called from my bathroom.

Adrienne appeared in the mirror moments later, a cape in hand. "I'd go for nude and then make the lips pop," she advised. She draped the cloak over my dress and clasped it at the back.

"Is this really necessary?" I asked as I looked down at the vibrant pink and gold zebra print frock. "I've already finished my foundation."

"That doesn't mean you couldn't drop your eyeshadow or spill some liner," she said as she picked up an eyeshadow brush and handed it to me. "Speaking of, do you still need me to do your liner?"

"Like always," I said as I patted some brown eyeshadow onto my lid. "You know I'm hopeless when it comes to eyeliner." I finished applying the brown and buffed it out with a fluffy brush, adding a dash of gold to my inner corner with my pinkie finger.

"I would've thought you'd practice since you know you suck. I can't be here doing your liner all the time," Adrienne said as she grabbed the eyeliner from the bag.

"Practice doesn't always make perfect," I countered as I transferred my eyeshadow look to my naked eyelid. "Fake lashes or no?"

"You for real think you're going to an event right now, don't you?" she asked as she shook up the eyeliner. "And no, fake lashes would be too much."

"You're right." I placed my eyeshadow brush on the granite countertop, the palette following after. I swiveled so I was facing Adrienne, her uncapping the eyeliner and ordering me to close my eye.

"So you're just gonna ignore my event comment, huh?"

"Absolutely," I responded with a close-lipped smile. When talking about my old life and wealth with Adrienne, I wasn't too keen to speak on it. She knew the rough time that my whole family went through when we realized that we'd have to close down all the hotels for good. She also knew how much I missed it, even if I was only aware of the glamor of it all for a handful of years.

"Whatever, your liner's done." She pulled away from my face and dropped the capped liner back into my bag.

By the time we finished getting me ready, there was still an hour to spare before Jeremiah was due to pick me up. Adrienne and I lounged on the couch as we waited, her complaining about work. "En serios, els cirurgians son tals assots! Ablando así y mierda. Jo ho juro-"

"Ri, buddy," I cut in, a little lost. "English, please."

"KiKi-"

"I know that you're mad and all that, but I can't answer if I only catch bits and pieces."

"What did you catch?"

"Surgeons are assholes and something about shit."

"Nah, the surgeons are talking down to me like I'm some little kid or something, patronizing me like I'm not at this hospital trying to earn more degrees so I can make bank and support myself. Ugh, els estrangeria si pogues."

"Right, missed that too." She sighed. "Look, I learned a different kind of Spanish in high school, Ri. I learned all I know about Catalan from hanging around you and your fam."

"You picked up on a lot from when you first met me, I gotta admit."

"What kind of best friend would I be if I couldn't pick up my girl's first language after seven years?"

"A pretty shitty one," she responded. I chuckled as I pushed her shoulder, her flopping down on the couch. "Okay, but for real, if you didn't even try to learn the language, I would not be sitting here on this couch right now."

"Yeah, and where else would you be?" I curiously asked, my darkened eyebrows raised. It's not that Adrienne doesn't have many friends, because I'm almost positive that she has more than me. She can just come off as too much when you first meet her, causing most people to distance themselves from her.

"I'd find myself a new best friend, thank you very much." She raised her nose in the air.

"Uh, don't get all pretentious on me, sis. I'm the pretentious one in this friendship," I said as I waved my finger between her and me. "Besides, you ain't ever gonna replace me. You're stuck with me."

"I hope I am. Don't know what I'd do without ya, girl." She blew me a kiss from her palm, and I caught it, sticking it down the front of my dress where my boobs resided. "Nasty ass. I take it back."

"Nah, I just don't have pockets to put it in right now." I blew a kiss back, and she caught it, sticking it right in her pocket.

The doorbell rang throughout the apartment. Adrienne threw me a suggestive look, earning an eye roll out of me. As my heels clicked against the hardwood floor on my way to the front door, a gentle tightening took place in my chest. As I swung open the door, it tightened just a little bit more.

"KiKi, is that your man?" Adrienne called from the living room. I sighed and dropped my head in my hands, mumbling a small 'oh my god' under my breath.

"Who is that?" Jeremiah asked with a smile, his sparkling teeth on display.

"That would be my best friend, Adrienne," I answered as I pointed back towards the apartment. "I'm just going to grab my clutch, and then we can go," I announced. Jeremiah nodded as I pivoted on my heel, losing my balance momentarily. I heard a quiet chuckle behind me, and I winced.

I clacked back into the living room and grabbed my clutch off the coffee table, letting Adrienne know that, if she wanted to, she could invite over her boy Ricardo. A giddy smile crossed her face, and I rolled my eyes. I told her to clean up any mess the two might make, throwing in a sly wink.

"Ready to go," I said as I came back into Jeremiah's line of vision. I smiled at him as I closed and locked the door behind me.

"You look stunning tonight," Jeremiah commented. I quietly thanked him. He pulled open the door for me, and I smiled at him yet again, climbing in and settling comfortably. The door opposite mine opened, and Jeremiah clambered in, but not before rambling an address off to the driver.

"Do you drive yourself anywhere?" I asked. I crossed one leg over the other, pulling my dress down so I didn't display any of my goodies.

Jeremiah simply gazed at me before answering. "When I absolutely have to, yes." I nodded as I pursed my lips, looking out the window at the night sky above.

I figured the ride to the restaurant was going to be awkward. Jeremiah and I were literally strangers who only bumped into each other on the street yesterday. There wasn't really much to talk about.

"You have expensive taste," Jeremiah noted. I turned to him, a confused expression on my face. "With the Temperley London dress, Nordstrom necklace and John Lewis clutch," he elaborated, naming off the designer names like they were cereal brands. "Is your whole closet full of clothes that expensive, or is tonight a special occasion?" he asked, a smirk playing at his lips.

"I have a few expensive pieces," I responded. "Why, are you only dating me for my money?" I asked with an amused tone.

"I was just curious," he said. His hand moved and played with his watch, a Rolex that was probably worth more than I make in three months. "When I bumped into you, you were wearing simple clothes that just anybody can wear."

"Just anybody, huh?" I queried. "What? Do you not fall into the category of 'just anybody?'"

Sure, maybe when I bumped into him, he was wearing a five thousand dollar suit. Tonight he's wearing an even more expensive one paired with a multi-thousand dollar watch, but that doesn't mean he doesn't fall into the 'just anybody' category. Maybe he was just extremely irresponsible with money.

"I believe I do," he answered. He adjusted his tie and readjusted it before continuing. "Do you?"

"I do," I said with a small nod. "Maybe I just wanted to pull out all the stops for tonight." I felt a smile tugging at my lip corners. While it seemed like I wanted to impress him, I was trying my hand at flirting.

"Well, I'd be flattered if you did. I'm certainly trying to impress you," Jeremiah admitted. I arched a single eyebrow, a charming smile spreading across Jeremiah's face as he looked away bashfully.

"Ah, he gets embarrassed," I noted. He turned away from me even more. I chuckled.

The rest of the car ride was burdened with silence. I hoped dinner wouldn't be filled with awkward silence, as I was kind of excited for this date. I hadn't been on one for a few months, and the last one I had been on had been less than pleasant.

The car came to a halt, and I pulled my attention from my phone. I picked up my bag and opened the clasp, dropping my phone in it before it returned to the ground. Jeremiah opened up his door and climbed out without a word, leading me to assume we arrived at the restaurant.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and grabbed for the door handle. I was startled as the door opened on its own, the door opening wider to reveal Jeremiah looking into the car with a smile. I smiled at him as well as I stepped out of the car and further up the driveway. I situated my bag on my shoulder as he closed the door behind me.

I turned and peeked up the familiar driveway, the large glass building shrouded in trees that is Canlis sitting in front of me.

I'd only been once or twice, but my parents frequented the restaurant. They always went on and on about how delicious the food was. They came so often, the waitstaff knew them by name.

Jeremiah straightened his suit as he asked, "Have you ever been here before?" He came up to meet me, him standing a few inches away.

"Only a couple of times," I responded as I continued looking forward at the building. "I never ate here a lot because it's mad expensive." I continued.

I snuck a glance at Jeremiah. He had a strong silhouette in the dim lighting that originated from the modern-looking restaurant. I knew he was handsome when I looked at him under the rainy Seattle clouds, but I didn't expect him to look just as fine in soft lighting.

"Didn't you say you ran Sunshine Suites when we met?" he asked. He held his arm out for me. I glanced down at it briefly before hooking my arm in his. I weakly gripped my hand at his forearm. "That is the reason we're on this date, isn't it?"

"I suppose it is," I answered as I recalled one of our first conversations. I let myself look up at Jeremiah, and I was surprised to find him already looking at me attentively. "I wasn't in charge of it or anything like that, though. That was all my parents - I'm just part of the family." I released a small chuckle.

Jeremiah stepped in front of me and opened the door. I nodded at him as I unhooked my arm and stepped in, waiting just inside for him to follow. He joined me, and we once again linked arms, him leading me up to the maître d'. "Reservation for Jeremiah Diamond?"

The maître d' scrolled on the computer for a brief moment, a small grunt of affirmation leaving him. "Right this way, Mr. Diamond." He grabbed two menus before pivoting gracefully on his heel and heading off into the restaurant, weaving through tables to bring us to ours.

"Shall we?"