Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Derek Langley,” I reply and bite my lip. This is fun. And a little nerve-racking. “He’s British. So, he does have a sexy accent.”
“Oh,” Sid says, turning the phone so the others can see. “Yeah, he’s fucking attractive.”
“Hot,” Stella agrees. “Dang, Maya, you should go for it. Wait, is he married?”
“He doesn’t wear a ring.” I consider that, tapping my finger on my chin. “Of course, not everyone does. I don’t think he’s married.”
“I can’t find any evidence of a wife,” Sidney says, tapping on her phone some more. “Unless it’s recent.”
“He’s my boss,” I reply, shaking my head. “Sure, there’s some chemistry there, but I work for him. I don’t think that’s ethical.”
I’ve caught him looking at my lips several times, and when we stand close together, he shoves his hands in his pockets as if he’s restraining himself to keep from touching me.
But maybe that’s all just in my head.
“You said yourself it’s only a thirty-day assignment,” Liv says, waving me off. “I say take those thirty days and have fun with them.”
“We’re going straight to the lingerie department,” Stella decides.
“You guys.” I laugh but don’t stop them from pulling me to the intimates section, where they choose lots of lacy, silky, beautiful things for me to try. “What if I’m being silly, and he wants no part in anything sexy with me?”
“Number one, he’d be stupid,” Sid says. “And number two, if he’s not interested, someone else will be.”
“You have a point. Okay, let’s do this.”
* * * *
Today was the best Saturday I’ve had in my life.
And also maybe the longest.
Certainly, the most expensive.
This morning, we started at nine with the spa, then went shopping after lunch. We closed the department stores down. We even spent several hours in the makeup and skincare section.
I’ve never spent this much money in my life, but I have to admit, it was totally worth it.
It’s past ten at night when I lug all my bags into the condo and drop them in the middle of the living room before padding into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine.
I’ve decided that tomorrow will be for organizing my closet with all my new finds, cleaning up around here, and maybe going for a hike if I can find my way to a hiking trail that isn’t too far away. I’ll have to do some research in the morning in between my chores.
For now, I carry my wine into the main suite and get ready for bed. I’m exhausted after my amazing day.
* * * *
I wish the weekend had been longer.
It’s not that I don’t want to go to work this morning, it’s just that I have this new, big wardrobe now and am nervous I won’t know how to put it all together. I don’t want to look stupid or like I’m trying to impress Derek. I should really just stick with what I’ve been wearing.
My doorbell rings, making me frown.
“Who’s here at six in the morning?” I mutter as I pad through the condo, wearing only my robe. I look through the peephole to see who’s on the other side and immediately open the door. “Stella? Is everything okay? Is something wrong with Gray?”
“We’re fine,” she assures me as she walks inside and closes the door. She’s clean-faced, her hair in a ponytail, and wearing yoga pants and a tank top. “I knew I had to come down here and coach you through putting your outfit together today, or you’d go back to your old clothes.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “How did you know that?”
She laughs and links her arm through mine, leading me to the bedroom. “Because I know you, sister-in-law of mine. And I know that fashion scares you. But it doesn’t have to, I promise. You bought some great dresses and suits. We’ll get you all figured out.”
“Are you going to come down here every day for this?”
“No.” She laughs and shakes her head. “But I might come on Sundays to get you situated for the week. Now, I think you should wear the green shift dress that’s gathered at the waist. It flatters your curves and is totally professional.”
I actually really like that dress, so I nod and take it off the bar. With Stella’s back turned to me, I shed the robe and glance in the mirror, still shocked at my matching pink bra and panties. They’re lacy and comfortable, which I didn’t know was possible.
After pulling the dress over my head, I say, “Okay, what’s next?”
Stella turns, black flats in hand, and grins. “You’re fucking hot in that, friend.”
I turn back to the mirror and take a deep breath. “It does fit me well. And it hides my belly, which is good.”
“You know,” Stella says, “I’ve always thought it was a disservice to womenkind to imply that we shouldn’t have a belly. I mean, most women have curves, and all women have rolls when we bend over. It just is what it is.”