Charlie smiled and gestured to the dark blue gown one of the employees was currently ringing up behind the counter. “I needed to find a dress for a charity gala I’m attending next month. I had one on order at Urban Trend, but I cancelled it a few days ago.”
“You did?”
“Didn’t Leo tell you?” she asked.
“Tell me what?”
Charlie stepped to the side and leaned against the counter. “Leo had Jenny and me meet him at Urban Trend. We shop thereall the time.Or rather, we did. After hearing about how they treated you, we agreed to stop going there immediately. But for Leo, it wasn’t enough to just boycott the place. He wanted them toknowhow badly they screwed up.”
Cammie leaned in closer, paying rapt attention to Leo’s best friend. “What did you do?”
“The three of us marched into the shop and let Patricia know exactly why she was losing two lucrative clients. Do you have any idea how many big events Jenny attends as the head of a PR firm? She probably spends tens of thousands there every year. And I was a frequent shopper as well.”
Cammie blinked, taking a moment to absorb that information. “So… you guys were okay with losing a place to shop? Because Leo asked you to do it?” For her. He’d asked them to boycott the place for Cammie.
“We were fine with doing it. We were both very upset when we heard how you were treated.” Charlie put her hand on Cammie’s shoulder. “I have a good career, one that never required me to wear a gown. Then I happened to marry awealthy man, and I was introduced to that life. But I didn’t grow up with money, Cammie. My family was lower middle class, and there were plenty of times that I couldn’t afford nice clothing.”
Knowing how that felt, Charlie’s words were like a balm to Cammie’s soul.
“Actually, a lot of my wardrobe was second-hand back then,” Charlie admitted. “That didn’t make me less than the kids at school whose parents could afford nicer things. And you didn’t deserve to be disrespected at Urban Trend.”
Cammie blinked. “I… thank you. I can’t believe Leo involved you both in my issue.”
“Of course, he did. He really cares about you,” Charlie said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
She shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. We haven’t known each other long, and it was all just a ruse. A deal, one that was supposed to be mutually beneficial. He needed a date to his Christmas party, and I was supposed to get an interview with his sister’s company.”
“I know.” Charlie’s lips turned down in a frown. “I was there when Leo tried to get Jenny to interview you. You know, they get along pretty well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them argue, but Leo was getting pretty frustrated with her. She was being stubborn, looking out for her company’s reputation when it came to hiring graduates, and Leo tried to tell her how talented you are, how good your portfolio is. I know him well, and he was being sincere. And I don’t think he’s going to give up until he helps you land that interview.”
Cammie thought about what she’d overheard. So, he’d already brought it up with Jenny before that call. And she’d already said no. But instead of accepting that, Leo had doubled-down and kept trying.
Hearing the truth shifted her perspective in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
Charlie treated her to a smile. “Look, Leo might have made a promise he wasn’t in a position to make, but he’s trying to make it right.”
Just like he’d gone out of his way to defend her honor at the boutique without her even knowing, Cammie thought.
“So, are you here to return something?” Charlie asked, glancing at the garment bag in Cammie’s hand.
Cammie took a long breath, thinking hard about what she wanted to do. She could stick with her plan and protect her heart or she could take a leap of faith and trust Leo-and maybe discover she didn’t have to be alone anymore.
“No return,” she said to Charlie. “I’m sorry, I need to go. I have a party to get ready for.”
Chapter Eleven
The Christmas partyat a hotel banquet hall downtown was in full swing. On his way over, Leo had passed Bryant Park, catching a glimpse of the tall Christmas tree Cammie loved so much. And now, he couldn’t stop thinking about the way her eyes lit up when she looked at it, and the smile on her face as she helped him skate. All of which contributed to his miserable attitude as he sat at a table with coworkers and clients.
Cammie should have been here with him. He knew she’d adore the tasteful Christmas decorations and probably enjoy the string quartet playing on a stage in the corner. There were a few couples on the dance floor, and he was envious of them, even though he never danced in public. If Cammie were here and asked him, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t have been able to refuse.
He should never have promised her an interview without checking with Jenny first. He hadn’t intentionally lied to her. He’d just been too cocky, believing he’d have no trouble sweet-talking his sister into doing him a favor. Now, Cammie felt like she couldn’t trust him and he hated it.
He knew how hard the last few years had been for her and understood just how much significance she’d placed on this potential interview. It wasn’t just about a job for her. It had been a chance to reclaim her life after it had been so massively derailed by her mother’s diagnosis and death. Things he hadn’t known when he’d thrown out the offer to get her a meeting with Jenny.
It was a lesson he’d learned the hard way.
The client he’d been so gung-ho to impress, Spencer McClain, stood on the other side of the room, holding a glass of scotch in his hand and laughing at something Leo’s boss said. The man glanced around, and Leo knew McClain was looking for him. It was his responsibility to impress the big client, after all.
But he turned away, heading toward the bar to get himself another drink. At the moment, he wasn’t keen on jumping through hoops for the job. He still wanted McClain’s business, but thanks to Cammie, he was starting to realize that the world didn’t revolve around work.
