The Price of Charm

When I looked in his direction, he was nodding, almost as if he had gone through something similar. Some of the rumors said that he was born into a family who had strict mafia ties, and looking at him, I believed it. No matter how charming, handsome, and down to earth he was, there was something about him that confirmed the speculations.

We ended up going to Legrand, one of the most upscale designer malls in Westlake. I had never been shopping at Legrand. I’d only driven by and wished that I could afford to shop there. My surprise must have been written all over my face because before we exited the vehicle, Bentley asked if I had ever been.

“In my dreams, yeah,” I chuckled. “I’d have to become anchor at the biggest news station known to man to be able to afford anything here.”

Shit! I thought. Now he knows I’m not just Ivy’s friend, but I’m also a reporter. I wanted to keep my ties to anything newsworthy hidden because I needed to present as a regular. I didn’t want Bentley getting suspicious of me and cutting our interaction short. I was also intrigued by him in a way I couldn’t explain, so I wanted to stick around for as long as I could to figure it out.

"Well, don’t worry,” he said before getting out to open my door. “Today is all on me. And if you stick with me long enough, it could be the same way every day.”

I blushed while I waited to see him on the other side of my door, though I was angry at myself for leaning in to his sweet little nothings because Ivy should have been all I thought about. She was the reason I played the dangerous game of getting to know him, and I had to force myself to remember that.

“Before we take another step, I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small brown envelope. “That SD card. I brought it, just in case you changed your mind about the party.”

“How sweet,” I said. “Thank you. This could really help get her parents some closure.”

“No problem.”

His brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight as he looked into mine, and for a brief moment, I saw something innocent in him. It was easy to get lost in his glare. He had the most deep and sensual expression on his face; I had a hard time looking away. When he smiled and grabbed me by the hand to pull me along, I couldn’t help but melt under the feeling of his touch.

As we walked around, shopping for more than what I had in mind, Bentley talked about nothing and everything at the same time. We didn’t talk about Ivy much, but that was okay with me. I wanted to get on his good side before I bombarded him with questions about his possible ties to her murder.

By the end of our spree, I had about ten bags full of designer dresses, heels, and jewelry that I normally wouldn’t wear. Bentley had kissed me on the cheek, snapped a few photos of us, and told me it was the most fun he’d had in a while. I wasn’t sure if he was just buttering me up because it was what he did with every woman he met. Or if he was being genuine. Everything moved so fast and felt so natural, it was hard to tell.

It was after dark when he got me back to my car. My feet were tired, and I was ready for a long, hot shower. He wanted to have dinner and spend more time talking about our lives, but I was ready to call it a night. Because even though I had fun with him, I didn’t want to have too much fun.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. “It’s been a long day, and I have to try on all these dresses to figure out which one I’m gonna wear to the party.”

“Ahh, that’s right. Women need at least twenty-four hours to get ready for anything. I dig it.”

“Whatever,” I laughed. “Thanks for today. I guess I can text you and let you know I made it home safe.”

The day I spent with the notorious gangster wasn’t classified as a date, but for some reason, I felt like it was. I laughed and blsuhed and talked about things other than work. I really enjoyed myself, and for the first time in a long time, it felt good to spend time with a real man. So much so, I think I smiled my entire drive home.

I was surprised to see Rodger’s car in my driveway when I pulled in. He was leaning against his trunk, smoking a cigarette, seemingly waiting for me to get there. It was odd because Rodger never came to my place unannounced, and surely not after dark.

“Hey Rodger, is everything okay?” I gave him a peculiar look as I approached.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just wanted to come over and check on you. I tried calling you a few times earlier, and after what happened to Ivy, I guess I’m on edge.” He tossed his cigarette onto the ground and stepped on it. “Where were you?”

The look in his eyes that night made me uneasy, but I brushed it off. Tensions were high for everyone in Westlake after what happened to Ivy, so I figured he was just trying to be a good friend.

“I understand.” I smiled softly and leaned against his trunk too. “I went shopping with Bentley. Got some pretty nice things too. It makes me mad with myself because of Ivy, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.”

“Shopping?” Rodger’s tone was ice cold. “I guess you’re still going to that party with him, huh?”

“I am.” I answered aggressively. “I’m a big girl, Rodger. I can handle myself.”

“Well, I don’t know what else to say other than be careful. I’ve already warned you once.”