Once Dashiell had left, Thea began getting ready to head out.
She’d already told Saphira she’d be coming to find her soon.
But before that, she wanted to buy a dress first.
She didn’t want Saphira to know that tonight Dashiell was taking her to a romantic dinner at the Eiffel Tower.
She also didn’t want Saphira finding out just how much she was enjoying her role as Dashiell’s fake wife.
She hoped Saphira wouldn’t get the wrong idea and think she was trying to steal her place, because she’d never do that, no matter how much she was enjoying it.
Thea still had plenty of time before she needed to be at the restaurant where she and Saphira had agreed to meet.
She went to a boutique not far from the hotel and picked out a few dresses that caught her eye.
Money wasn’t a concern anymore; she felt, somehow, that she deserved this.
The only problem was, she had no idea what color Dashiell liked.
She found herself wanting to surprise him.
Maybe he’d be pleased if she wore a color he actually loved.
There was no harm in trying, and it might make the evening ahead feel even more special.
*I’m curious, what color do you like?* Thea sent the message to Dashiell.
She didn’t dare call; she was afraid of interrupting his work.
She figured he wouldn’t reply right away, since he was busy, but to her surprise, it didn’t take long at all before his answer came through.
*Dark red.
Buy a few, and get some jewelry to match.* Thea smiled after reading it.
She went back to picking out dresses, this time in red, and decided to try a few on.
While she was in the fitting room, Saphira, growing impatient, called her.
“I’m already here, Thea. Are you going to be much longer?” She’d come with her boyfriend.
“Just wait a little, Saphira. I’ll be leaving soon, so hang on.”
“Don’t take too long, Thea. I can’t wait to see you!”
“I know.” Thea put her phone away once Saphira had hung up.
She tried on several dresses before finally settling on one.
She left the shop in high spirits, and didn’t forget to pick up a few accessories to complete the look for later.
That would be enough.
She didn’t want to spend too much of Dashiell’s money.
Even though he’d told her she could, she needed to know her limits and not get greedy.
Thea made a quick stop back at the hotel first.
She left all her shopping bags with the front desk, not wanting to carry them where Saphira could see. The source of this chapter is g.com.
She couldn’t risk any misunderstandings, and she definitely didn’t want Saphira resenting her over it.
Saphira, meanwhile, was growing more and more impatient.
She felt like Thea was taking forever.
Part of her wanted to just go find her herself so they could finally meet, but her friend kept insisting she was almost there.
“Ugh, what is Thea even doing?” She kept glancing at her watch.
“Be patient, Saphira. You know your friend, she’s clueless and has no sense of direction. This is her first time in Paris, so how could she possibly get here fast? She’s probably flustered and needs a little extra time, even though it’s not that far from her hotel.”
“You’re right about that, Joseph.” She just hoped Thea wouldn’t embarrass her and give Dashiell any reason to grow suspicious.
Saphira had been in and out of the country plenty of times, unlike Thea, who’d never gone anywhere.
She hoped Thea wouldn’t do anything humiliating, because it would reflect on her too.
Dashiell would surely mock her for it, and she’d be the one left to deal with the fallout.
Her reputation was riding on this, and she was fully prepared to be furious if Thea did something embarrassing.
Thea finally arrived.
She scanned the restaurant, looking for Saphira, and spotted her among the other diners, waving her over.
Thea walked toward her, smiling, genuinely happy to see her closest friend again.
Saphira rose from her seat and came to meet her halfway.
“Oh my god, you’re finally here!”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Saphira.” Thea pulled her into a hug, letting the weeks apart melt away, though her eyes drifted toward Joseph.
She hadn’t expected him to come along.
“It’s fine. You didn’t get lost, did you?”
“No. I stopped to buy a few things, that’s why I was a little late.”
“Where? What did you buy?” Saphira looked puzzled, since Thea wasn’t carrying anything.
Her eyes swept over Thea from head to toe.
Thea looked different somehow, compared to before.
She looked polished now, well put together.
And the jewelry she was wearing, was that real?
“Wow.” Saphira reached for the bracelet on Thea’s wrist.
“Looks like you’re already used to wearing expensive things.” Thea must have been cashing in nicely while playing her part. Get faster updates on g.com.
“All of this is yours, Saphira. I’ll give it back once my part in this is over.”
“So it’s all mine?”
“Yeah. Dashiell’s given you plenty of things I get to wear whenever I need to. I only put them on when I’m with him, and it’ll all belong to you eventually, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Well then, hand it all over to me right now.”
“What?”
“Come on, you can wear something else. Just give me what you’ve got on!” Saphira pulled her toward the table by the wrist, and without hesitation, unclasped the bracelet from Thea’s arm.
“Wait, Saphira. What if Dashiell asks me where the bracelet went?”
“Just tell him you got mugged, Thea.”
“Excuse me?” Thea hadn’t imagined her friend would actually do something like this.
Saphira examined the bracelet, eyes shining.
Thea had assumed she’d stop there.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t nearly enough.
After taking the bracelet, Saphira went straight for the necklace around Thea’s neck as well.
“Wait, Saphira. Are you taking this too?”
“Of course I am, Thea. Isn’t all of this mine? I have every right to take it, and you have no right to stop me.” She looked thrilled, holding the necklace in her hand.
“Is this why you asked me to come?” Thea genuinely didn’t understand, but she couldn’t object either, since the jewelry really did belong to Saphira.
“No. Now hand over the card Dashiell gave you.” She held out her hand.
“What, no!” Thea pulled her bag out of reach as Saphira lunged for it.
“Even if I’m only his fake wife, I’m still responsible for that card. I can’t just give it to you!”
“Come on, I’m his real wife. I have every right to use his money!” Saphira grabbed for the bag again, but missed.
“No, Saphira. No!” It was only now that Thea understood what this had really been about, and foolishly, she’d been completely honest with her best friend, never once suspecting a thing.
The card was the one thing she had to protect.
“Give it to me, Thea!” Saphira’s patience was wearing thin.
“I already said no. If I’d known this was why you wanted to see me, I never would have come.”
“I’m his legal wife, and you’re not, so you have no right to stop me from using his money!”
“I know you have the right, but not like this, Saphira!”
“Give it here!” Before Thea could react, Joseph snatched the bag right out of her hands.
“No, give that back!” Thea tried to grab it back, but Saphira held her off.
“Don’t take it, Saphira. I’m begging you!” Thea pleaded, but Joseph had already torn through her bag and pulled out the black card Dashiell had given her.