Trading Places

Chapter Ten

(AN: The picture above is Amanda's outfit for the charity event. I'm not good at explaining clothes in depth, so I figured a visual would help.)

Amanda got out of the shower and slid on her white robe to do her makeup. She put on a light layer of makeup and then got changed into the outfit she bought for the event. Once she got dressed, she curled her hair and then put it into a low bun, leaving some strands of hair loose. She put on a silver bracelet and slid on her white flats. She grabbed the leather jacket she bought and went downstairs to wait for Patrick to pick her up. As she waited, she thought about how much closer she had gotten to Patrick, and contemplated whether or not he felt the same way. As she got lost in her thoughts, there was a knock at the door which made her stomach drop down to her feet. She got up and took a deep breath before she opened the door.

Patrick stood on the doorstep wearing black dress pants, a white button up shirt and a dark gray suit jacket over it. He smiled at Amanda and stared at her for a moment. "Wow." He said softly.

She blushed and bit her bottom lip. "Is this too much?" she asked, playing with the bracelet on her wrist.

"No, no it's great. You look beautiful." He smiled.

Her blush darkened as she smiled. "Thank you." she said softly. "Ready to go?" she asked, sliding the leather jacket on since it was a little chilly.

"Almost." He smiled. "I got something for you." he said and handed her a flat square box.

"Patrick, you didn't have to do that." She smiled.

"I know, but I wanted to." He said. "Open it." He smiled.

Amanda opened the box and saw a silver cross necklace with small diamonds on it. "Oh my...Patrick this is beautiful." She said softly.

"I thought you might like it." He smiled. "Here." He said and took the necklace out and unclasped it. He put it around her neck and clasped it behind her, stepping closer to her.

Amanda's breath hitched in her throat as she realized just how close he was. Now would be the perfect time for a kiss, she thought. Maybe later.

He got the necklace clasped and smiled down at her, stepping back. "There you go." He said.

"Thank you." she smiled.

"Ready?" he asked, holding his arm out.

"Ready." She smiled and hooked her arm with his.

Patrick drove them both to the event center where the charity event was being held. In the front hallway there was a red carpet set up where journalists and photographers could get pictures of the arriving players. Patrick walked up to the door and looked at Amanda before he opened it.

"There's going to be people taking a lot of pictures when we get in there. Are you okay with that? I can have someone come get you and take you in another doorway." He said.

Amanda smiled up at him, appreciating the fact that he was looking out for her. "I'll be okay." She said. "As long as you're there." She added.

He smiled and nodded. "Always am." He winked.

He held her hand and walked her inside. He rubbed the back of her hand gently and walked the carpet with her, smiling for pictures and talking to a few of the interviewers. Amanda smiled for the pictures and made sure she wasn't in the way of the interviews. One of the interviewers, a woman in her late twenties, finished up her questions with Patrick and then smiled at Amanda.