Free Riding into Love by Nicki Night Page A

and staying there all weekend!” Alana shut down her laptop and closed it.
    â€œThat’s fine with me.”
    Alana stretched her eyes. “Really?” She didn’t believe him.
    â€œOf course. I guess I’ll have to give these tickets to Delphine Armah’s new Broadway show to someone else.”
    Alana’s eyes popped open wide and her neck stretched forward. “What!” She stood, rounding her desk in an instant. “Are you serious, Drew?”
    â€œSure am, but if you’re tired...” Drew folded his arms across his chest and hummed.
    â€œDon’t play with me, dude!”
    â€œI don’t play around, ma belle .” Drew put his hand on his chin. “Hmm. So that also means I’ll have to cancel the plans for dinner with the cast after the show.”
    Alana balked. “Dinner with the... Drew, are you for real?”
    His smile taunted her in several ways. “But you’re tired. I surely don’t want to be a bother.”
    Alana pursed her lips and squinted at him. “I’ll sleep tomorrow. What time is the show?”
    â€œEight.”
    â€œDarn it! I’ll be cutting it close if I go all the way home to Long Island and come back.” Alana looked down at her suit. “I’d hate to go in this.”
    â€œThen let’s go get you something to wear.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do that.”
    â€œCome on.” Drew slid off her desk and grabbed her by the hand.
    Alana grabbed her purse and jacket to shield herself from the slight breeze of the unusually warm March day.
    â€œHow do you manage to gain access to these things?” Alana wondered aloud.
    â€œWhat things?”
    â€œMovie premieres, private celebrity parties, shows and dinner with entertainers.”
    â€œOh. I know a guy.”
    Alana twisted her lips. “Really, Drew.”
    Drew held out his hand, leading Alana out of the elevator. “Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy it all. Let’s go get you something to wear.”
    Drew hailed a taxi and directed the driver to Fifty-seventh and Fifth Avenue. Alana loved those stores but rarely shopped in them. Those price tags didn’t lend themselves to weekly shopping on Alana’s budget as a fairly new entrepreneur. She saved those shops for very special occasions.
    Drew led the way inside one of those upscale shops. A polished clerk wearing a smart red suit, striking red lips, and a neat bun beamed at Drew. The smile on the sales clerk’s face indicated how well she knew him.
    â€œDrew! Darling!” She air-kissed him on both cheeks.
    â€œKaren, it’s great to see you.” Drew embraced her and then placed his hand on the small of Alana’s back.
    â€œAnd who’s the lovely lady?” Karen assessed Alana the way a mother would if she approved of a nice girl that her son has brought home for the first time.
    â€œThis is my good friend Alana. She needs a nice outfit for tonight. She has exquisite style. Can you help me find something that will make those beautiful brown eyes of hers sparkle even more?”
    â€œYou know I can.” Karen took Alana by the hand. “Come with me.”
    Alana allowed Karen to lead her through the shop while Drew took a seat on a contemporary white leather sofa as if he had all the time in the world.
    Alana couldn’t help but gush just a little. She was reminded of the scene in the movie Pretty Woman when Richard Gere took Julia Roberts to those expensive shops along Rodeo Drive.
    Alana thought she knew Drew, but lately he’d surprised her. He seemed to be a different person than the guy she dated a few years back. Their dates didn’t extend beyond the normal dinner and movie. She was almost afraid that he’d break down her resolve.
    Karen set her up in a dressing room and brought a few ensembles. Alana was surprised at how well Karen was able to pinpoint her style. She fell in love with two of the outfits