A Billion Little Clues Read Online Free Page A

cutest little black number, with a low-cut back and the absolute sexiest little slit going up one side. At first, I was worried about showing off my thigh like that at a fancy gathering, but Rachel convinced me that it would be perfect.
    "Look, even in the business world, it's like a sea of sharks," she told me as I turned around in front of her three-part vanity mirror. "Men have the advantage of being men, so women have to use sexuality. It's really the only way to get ahead."
    I didn't even know how to turn my sexuality on, but I did have to admit that I looked absolutely amazing in the dress. Sure, it took a fair amount of tugging to get the zipper up, even after I had exhaled to the point of nearly passing out, but I managed to get it all zipped. Add on a gorgeous little clutch that Rachel produced from an entire pile of purses and bags, and I looked as if I belonged in that same fashion magazine as her bedroom! I would probably be holding a super fancy cocktail at a summer garden party, my head tilted back in laughter to show off my white teeth. "Steal the spotlight at your next wedding," the article's title would probably read.
    I may have found my outfit for the evening, but I barely had time to get my makeup and hair fixed in the bathroom before I had to leave! I quickly stuffed anything I could think that I might need into my clutch. It might have been cute, but this little bag was definitely not big enough to hold everything that a woman might require.
    #
    Keith had emailed me the address of Roman Wayland's house(!), and twenty minutes later, I was making my way there in my trusty little Camry. I was grateful that the sun had started to set. Hopefully it would be totally dark by the time I pulled up.
    It wasn't that I was embarrassed of my car! My little Toyota had been with me for years, ever since my great-aunt Edna (or was it Ethel?) had passed away and it had been donated to me. I had been a college student at that point, and having a car of my own was a major mark of status. Ever since then, the car had performed with wonderful determination, never flagging or failing. Sure, it took a while to warm up in the winter, and the air conditioning only worked on one side of the vents, and there was definitely some rust on the outside, but it drove, didn't it? And that was all I really needed.
    But somehow I couldn't see my little car quite fitting in with the cars driven by all the other fancy-pants executives. I was kind of hoping that I could park it towards the back of the lot, where they might think that it belonged to one of the caterers or waiters, and could then just walk up to the party.
    I was currently on the road that was listed on the address, but it seemed to stretch on forever. Had I managed to get myself lost? I really hoped not - this was absolutely the worst time to be lost. Not only would Keith yell at me, but I did not want to have to hobble the two miles back to the last house that I had seen on this road. Had I taken the wrong turn and ended up in the middle of the country somehow?
    Finally, up ahead, I saw a bunch of spotlights shining up into the sky. That had to be Roman's house! I patted my Camry on the steering wheel and leaned a little harder on the gas pedal, urging it on. Nearly there!
    My hopes to park in the back of the lot were quickly dashed as I pulled closer. This drive led directly up to a large circular traffic turnaround area. There were men in black trousers and bright red coats everywhere, and one of them came trotting up to me as I headed into the drop-off circle. He reached out and politely rapped on my driver's side window with a white-gloved hand, and I reached down to haul on the crank.
    "Welcome, miss!" he greeted me politely, although he had to raise his voice to be heard over the patter and occasional bang of the engine. "If you'd care to just come to a stop, I can park your car for you!"
    I nodded, not wanting to shout back to him, and brought the little car to a stop.