Part 13 (1/2)

It's just business. Smart business.

”I . . . um . . .” How could I explain that I didn't possess such an item in my wardrobe and that I didn't exactly have the funds to purchase something new? Besides, I didn't have the time to go shopping even if I did have the money.

One eyebrow shot up at my hesitation. ”Miss Bennett, is there a problem?”

On the verge of lying to him, I thought better of it and decided to be honest and come clean. ”Yes, actually, there is.” I lowered my eyes as embarra.s.sment washed over me. My skin felt hot and damp and my stomach dropped. ”I don't have anything appropriate in my wardrobe. I like to travel light, and I didn't expect to need a c.o.c.ktail dress in my first week of employment.”

He let out a long breath. ”If that's your only problem, it's not a problem at all.” He wasn't making sense. It was a huge freaking problem to me. A completely insurmountable one. Even if Ca.s.sidy had brought such a dress, there was no way I'd risk borrowing another item of clothing from her after the coffee fiasco with her white blouse. Besides, her dress most likely would be all wrong on me.

Moving back to his desk, Mr. Sinclair opened the drawer and pulled something from it, then walked back to where I stood, cringing.

”We have backup for such an event. Use this credit card to get something nice. Try Fifth Avenue . . . and it's okay if you leave at three this afternoon.” He smiled as he held the plastic card out to me. ”Get shoes, and all the matching stuff women need, too.”

I sucked in a breath. ”I couldn't possibly do that.” I shook my head in disbelief. I'd never used a credit card in my life. If Mum and I didn't have the cash, we simply didn't buy it. Although we didn't have much, everything we owned was debt-free. Mum didn't believe in adding extra stress to our lives by racking up huge debt with exorbitant interest rates that were a noose around her neck. If we really wanted something, we'd work extra s.h.i.+fts and save till we could afford it.

”This card is here for a reason. To be put to good use. Take it,” he commanded.

”I can't-”

He took my hand in his and unfolded my fingers before laying the plastic card in my palm. ”It's easier than you think. You don't want to p.i.s.s Williams off, and if he finds out you're an employee and not suitably dressed, some heads will be rolling-possibly even mine.” He was still holding my hand in his, so I felt the s.h.i.+ver that ran through him.

Was Tyler Sinclair afraid of losing his job? Or maybe he feared Williams' wrath?

”Well . . . if you're absolutely sure? I'll repay it when I get my first paycheck,” I said, grateful for a way out of my predicament.

”Don't be ridiculous. Once you see their mansion and the excess his wife and daughter are accustomed to, you'll realize it's small change to the company. And it will be money well-spent. It's all about image at McAdams and Williams-no expense is spared to impress clients.”

I closed my fingers over the card and pulled my hand away.

What the h.e.l.l had I agreed to? Was I going to stand out-not in a good way-and make a fool of myself? I'd be out of my depth moving in the circles of the ultra rich. I could only hope I wouldn't choke and die a slow death.

Tyler looked at his watch. ”It's nearly three thirty. I think I can let you go an extra thirty minutes earlier.”

My eyes widened. ”What about the-”

”Get out of here before I change my mind. And be ready when I get there to pick you up.” His voice was husky, as if he didn't want me to leave. Perplexed, I stared at him for a moment before I remembered my manners.

”Thanks for coming to my rescue. I see I have a lot more to learn than the obvious.”

He grinned down at me. ”Those, Miss Bennett, are the truest words you have spoken. You don't even know what you don't know. And I look forward to showing you . . . everything.”

The heat in his gaze and the way he said it gave me the distinct impression he wasn't referring to work only. But what the h.e.l.l did I know? I was only the very green and inexperienced intern. It seemed my training had a long way to go. Luckily, my mind was sharp, and I was a fast learner.

I grabbed my purse before he actually did change his mind and made my way to the door, the plastic card safely tucked in my pocket. As I turned the doork.n.o.b, I heard him clear his throat behind me.

”One last thing. Tonight, everything changes. Your training takes on a completely new level.”

I gaped at him, but he'd already turned his attention to the phone that had started ringing. I would have loved to ask him what he meant by that.

DEBONAIR: PART 1 BY JANI KAY.

12 - Brooklyn.

d.a.m.n, I was in trouble. I didn't know anything about dressing up for formal occasions. If I'd attended them, it was as a waitress to earn extra money, not as a guest. I had no idea how it'd feel to be on the other side.

Ca.s.sidy-she'd know. That b.i.t.c.h had a black belt in shopping. I dialed her number. She picked up within two rings.

”Hey honey, what's up?” she greeted me in her usual cheery voice.

”Hey Ca.s.s. Listen, if ever I needed your mad skills, it's today. Can you come up to Fifth Avenue in the next hour and help me buy a dress for a thing I need to go to tonight?”

”What thing? I need specifics, hon. And of course I'll come-I changed my nail polish for the third time this week because I'm bored here without you.”

Shopping was my best friend's forte. She needed to find a d.a.m.n job, and soon, but today I was grateful that she was available.

I laughed. ”Meet me in front of Tiffany's in an hour? I've just left the office. I'll fill you in when we meet. I need to look hot, Ca.s.s. I'm hoping you can help me achieve that in a few hours.” If anyone could pull off a makeover, it was Ca.s.sidy.

”It helps that I have a smoking blank canvas to work with. But who's paying for this? We don't have the money.”

As if I needed a reminder. ”Get your a.s.s down here. I have a company credit card to melt.”

She sucked in a breath, and then giggled. Oh Lord-here comes more trouble. This woman could write a book t.i.tled Shopping 101.

Tyler Sinclair didn't know it, but he'd made one of my dreams come true. Already, I liked him a tiny bit more.

Ca.s.sidy was five minutes early, all dressed to the nines herself. I c.o.c.ked an eyebrow at her, grimacing. Was she trying to make me look bad in my department-store outfit?

”Hey, hon, you look nice,” I greeted her with a smile. ”Ready?”

”Let's get a coffee first, so we can go over our game plan. The reason I dressed up in designer-ware was to show the shopping a.s.sistants that we're serious customers, not window shoppers. That way they'll treat us with respect and not go all Pretty Woman on us.”

She was a smart cookie. I laughed at her logic, admitting that it made perfect sense. We went to the closest Starbucks and ordered our skinny lattes. Minutes later, we were sitting across from one another and I told her all about the party. She frowned when I told her emphatically that it wasn't a date.

”He'll change his mind when he picks you up tonight and sees what I've done with you. He'll be fighting off other guys, and be proud to introduce you as his date.” She grinned, confident that she'd help me pull it off.

”I have my doubts-clothing alone doesn't make a person. What if they see right through me?” Panic pushed up my chest, heating my body from the inside.

Ca.s.s nodded. ”Exactly, darling. It's what's inside that counts. And you have what it takes, babe. You're s.e.xy and smart. You have sa.s.s in spades. Don't doubt yourself, okay?”

Tears welled up behind my eyelids and my throat thickened, so I only managed a nod.

She handed me a tube of lipstick. It was her favorite high-end brand, and I knew she'd have to use it sparingly for it to last until she could afford another one. I blinked a few times as I took it from her. A wide grin spread over her face. ”Apply this red lipstick, and twist your hair up into a bun. When we walk into a store, you've got to behave as if you own that s.h.i.+t. Got it?”

Holy h.e.l.l. Good thing I asked her along. The snooty type of shop a.s.sistant would've given me one look and probably ignored me, even though I had money to burn. I had a lot to learn from Ca.s.sidy on how to act as if I'd grown up with money. Maybe some of her natural charm could rub off on me too.

I did as she instructed. She slipped off her Louboutins and handed them to me. ”Wear these. When they see the red soles, they won't even look at the rest of your outfit. You'll pa.s.s their test.”