Chapter 5: Making It Official

"Umm…Miss Simon?" a mousy voice called out from the door, snapping Kit out of her focused trance.

She looked up from the mock-ups she'd been studying and gestured for Dana to come in. Dana strode toward the desk and hovered in front of it awkwardly.

Kit smiled at her assistant, vaguely amused. "You can sit down Dana. And I mean that in general."

Dana smiled at Kit bashfully before sitting down. "There's someone here to see you."

Kit frowned. "Do I have a meeting scheduled for right now? I thought I was free for the rest of the day."

Dana shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "They're not - it's not a meeting. It's someone that Mr. Brooks sent."

Kit gave her a confused look. "Who's Mr. Brooks?"

Dana smiled at her boss in amusement. "Luca Brooks. Your boyfriend?"

"Oh right," Kit muttered, causing Dana to chuckle softly. "He's not my boyfriend."

"So, you're not dating?" Dana inquired as she leaned forward in her seat, eager to get the gossip from the horse's mouth.

Kit chuckled and spoke in a teasing tone, "You're basically frothing at the mouth right now!"

Dana shrugged abashedly but didn't deny the accusation. Mostly, she was glad that her question had amused her boss instead of annoying her. She gave her boss a pleading look, hoping she was amused enough to give her a little tidbit.

"You can go and send them in," Kit said as her chuckles settled down, causing Dana's expression to fall.

"Yes ma'am!" she chirped as she exited the office swiftly.

Kit leaned back in her chair and wondered who was about to walk into her office. She and Luca had their first official appearance scheduled for that night. At Gemma's urging, she'd invited him to a cover reveal for a model friend.

They wouldn't have a buffer this time, but there were bound to be people they both knew there to socialize with.

Kit was dreading it and looking forward to it in equal measure. She'd never admit it, even to her journal, but she'd enjoyed his company on their last night together. Although, there had been a lot of tequila, so she wasn't sure if that feeling could be trusted.

There was a brief knock at the door before it swung open; Kit stood and walked around her desk to welcome her mystery guest. A petite woman with bright blue hair walked in confidently and offered her a wide smile.

"Hi! I'm Birdy, nice to meet you," she spoke as she offered Kit a warm, firm handshake.

Kit smiled, unable to resist the woman's warm presence. "I'm Nikita. Apparently, Luca sent you?"

Birdy nodded enthusiastically and placed her bulging tote bag on the ground. She shoved her arm inside and pulled out a bottle of tequila and an attached card.

"This is for you!" she said as she thrust the bottle toward Kit, who accepted it hesitantly. She placed the bottle on her desk and opened the envelope containing the card.

It was a simple white card with a messily scrawled 'Pick anything you want. See you tonight. – Luca'.

Kit looked up at the bottle from the note, with a smile. She looked up to find Birdy holding a notepad, pen, and measuring tape.

*****

"You look absolutely stunning!" Birdy gushed as she studied Kit's look from head to toe.

Kit couldn't help but agree with that sentiment as she turned and studied herself from different angles in her bedroom mirror. They'd both agreed that this wasn't an event that Kit needed to be too dressed up for.

They differed on their opinions of what kind of statement Kit should make. Birdy felt that this coming out should be a bold statement while Kit was happy to keep it minimalistic. Thankfully, Birdy had found a compromise in the end.

Kit was wearing a backless, black silk dress with an asymmetric neckline. The dress was held together by ornamental, gold pins; flashing the chocolate-hued skin down each side of her body. Her long, box braids were the perfect accent to her outfit.

"If I'm going to wear this, I'm going to need a shot!" Kit announced as she reached for the tequila Luca had gifted her. She pulled the cork out of the bottle and took a healthy sip; feeling the warm, smooth liquid slide down her throat - leaving behind a trail of fire.

She offered the bottle to Birdy who accepted it with a twinkle in her eye. "You seem really nervous, if you don't mind my saying so."

Kit gnawed at her lip gently before turning to study herself in the mirror again. "This is my first time going public with a relationship."

Birdy nodded thoughtfully and took her own shot before handing the bottle back to Kit. "Definitely have a few more shots then. And don't overthink it, you two make a stunning couple!"

Kit shook her head and laughed, "You haven't even seen us together yet."

Birdy laughed and started collecting her things, "I know what you're both wearing. And I read Page Nine too!"

The two women experimented with different accessories and drank the tequila as they waited for Kit's ride to arrive.

A knock rang out, interrupting the two women. Kit smiled at Birdy and made her way to the front door. She pulled it open and was surprised to find Luca standing there.

He chuckled at the surprised expression on her face and gave her a sexy grin. "Did you forget I was coming?"

He was similarly dressed in a black, short-sleeved shirt that was patterned with gold and was slightly loose around his torso. He'd left it unbuttoned dangerously low, showing tattoos on his chest and tanned, olive skin. The shirt was then tucked into form-fitting, black casual pants and finished off with black slipper loafers.

Kit bit her lip and shook her head slightly as she drank him in. "We were enjoying your gift and lost track of time."

Luca furrowed his brow, fighting a flash of annoyance at the thought of her drinking his gift with a date. Before he could respond, Birdy popped her head from behind Kit's back.

"Hi Luca!" she directed at him before turning to Kit. "I'm leaving now, I left the rack so you can see if you like anything else."

She stepped into the hallway and brushed some lint off of Luca's shirt. "You two crazy kids have fun!"

Luca and Kit watched as she scurried down the hall and disappeared around the corner. Luca shook his head in amusement and turned his attention back to Kit, looking down into her eyes.

"Are you ready to go?" he murmured softly, the air between them suddenly simmering with tension.

Kit broke away from his gaze and nodded her head. "I'll be right back."

Luca's breath caught in his throat as she turned and he caught sight of the thigh-length slit in her dress. He watched as she disappeared into the apartment and made a note to send Birdy a thank-you gift tomorrow.

Kit reappeared a few minutes later with a slight smile and a small bag. Luca stepped back as she locked her office door before gesturing for her to lead the way. The two of them walked down the hallway in silence; neither sure what to say.

"Thank you for the tequila," Kit broke the silence as they came to a stop in front of the elevator.

Luca smiled graciously and shrugged before stepping aside as the elevator doors opened. Kit brushed by him, their bodies touching briefly as she entered the elevator.

Once the doors had closed again, Luca turned and looked at Kit appreciatively. "You look amazing by the way. You'll probably look better than the cover girl."

Kit chuckled good-naturedly, "I have you to thank for that as well. If I'm honest, I was really surprised by that."

Luca cringed, "We got off on a bad foot, and even if I don't remember it. It's my fault, so consider this an olive branch of sorts."

Kit grinned and nodded. "Okay but only if you answer truthfully. Did you tell her to make sure we matched?"

Luca burst into laughter, "I told her to get you whatever you wanted. I just wear what she tells me to and buy what she tells me to."

Kit ran her eyes over his body and offered him a playful grin. "She's got good taste."

"Is that your way of saying I look good?" Luca asked in amusement.

"Nope. That's my way of saying that the clothes look good," she said with a smirk.

Luca chuckled softly and shook his head, "I ask at the risk of screwing up again, but one day will you tell me what happened the first time we met?"

Kit glanced at him and smirked again. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Luca shot Kit a searing glance as the elevator came to a stop on the ground floor. "I can handle anything you throw at me."

Kit swallowed heavily and felt fire zip down her body where her arm brushed by Luca. He placed his hand on her lower back and guided her toward the front door.