SIN [h.s] ✔

Chapter Five.

Beth

Saturday 6:45 PM

I checked myself out in the mirror one last time. My blonde hair was tied back in a chignon and my diamond earrings matched my necklace. I had on evening make-up and five-inch heels. I was five foot eight barefoot, so in these shoes, I would be almost as tall as Harry was.

I turned around, admiring my white Elie Saab chiffon gown that tied at one shoulder. It had a gathered waist, and a light, flowing floor-length skirt, slit up one thigh. It showed off my long legs, which I thought were my best asset.

"Not too shabby, Beth," I said with a smile. Great, now I was talking to myself. At least the Chihuahua was a separate living being. Maybe I should get a cat. Oh God, that was the first step toward being a crazy cat lady.

My buzzer rang and my confidence waivered even more, but I took a deep breath and reminded myself that he wanted me too. I crossed the room to the call box.

"Hello," I said, pressing the intercom button.

"Hey, will you buzz me up?" Harry's deep, rich voice made my tummy flutter even filtered through the speaker.

"Sure. I'll see you in a minute." I pushed the door lock button and waited nervously. I caught myself twisting my fingers together and I fisted them at my sides, which only served to make my palms sweaty. "What is wrong with you, Beth? You know how to keep your composure." I paused. "And stop talking to yourself or people are going to wonder about you."

My doorbell rang and I jumped. Rolling my eyes, and forcing myself to calm down, I went over to answer it. When I swung it open, my mouth went dry. Harry stood there in a tuxedo, looking positively wonderful.

His attention snapped to me when he heard the door open. I saw his eyes quickly travel up and down my body. Then a sexy smile slowly formed on his lips, and it felt like my heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest. All I could think was, "Please don't let me break out in hives." And then, "You suck at romance, Beth."

"Were you always this tall?" he asked, looking into my eyes, which were almost level with his. I got lost in the gray smoke for a moment.

"I'm wearing higher heels," I mumbled. "Because there will be dancing. And I wanted our parts to line up well." Then what I had just said sunk in, and I closed my eyes and felt my face get hot. I wanted our parts to line up well?

"Uh, well, that's always good I guess," he said with a laugh. I opened my eyes again and forced a bright smile to cover up my humiliation.

"The car isn't here yet," I spit out quickly. "Come in, though, and make yourself comfortable." I stepped to the side to give him room to pass, and then turned to close the door. I wanted to ask him what he thought of the place, and so I spun around quickly, sweeping my arm out, in a warm and expansive gesture of welcome.

Unfortunately, he had paused right behind me, which meant that I essentially punched him in the gut. His eyes watered a bit, but the smile never left his face.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Personally, I myself, wanted to crawl into a hole and die at that moment.

"I'm fine. No worries," he replied sounding a little hoarse, as he backed away from me slowly. Again. I sighed, and resolved to do my best not to cause him any further injury. "This place is nice. I like bold color," he said, looking around.

"Me too. Bold color is... good," said the woman with a Masters degree in Art History from Vassar. "And bright color too... is good." Have I mentioned my semester at the Sorbonne? He gave me a funny look. I can't imagine why.