“Okay.” He hugged me. “But only if we can make a deal. I won’t apologize again if you do one thing for me.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to march over to the closet right this instant and pick out a few new outfits.”
“Michael, I couldn’t.” I held up the check. “You’ve already given me enough.”
“This isn’t up for discussion, young lady. Marlena’s been on a Neiman’s spree, so there’s too many clothes in there already.” He tugged my ear playfully. “Now march! I don’t want to see you come out of there unless your arms are full.”
“But—”
“You know it’s pointless to argue,” he said firmly. “And your vampire hunk is probably missing you at home, so you’d better chop-chop.”
“Robert’s out of town for the night, so he doesn’t even know that I’m gone.” I smiled mischievously. “Don’t tell him that I said this, but it’s nice to get some space. He’s finally starting to realize that I’m not as fragile as he thinks.”
Michael laughed and gave me a gentle push. “Into the closet, young lady. When you’re done, I’ll take you home personally.”
Michael hadn’t been kidding about Marlena’s shopping spree. She must have needed a shoehorn to get all the clothes in, the closet was so packed. I hurriedly skimmed the racks, aware that Michael was waiting.
I didn’t want to be a greedy guts and load my arms up like I was a pack mule, but I knew Michael would throw a fit if I came out with only a pair of shoes. I selected a few casual dresses, a grey pencil skirt, a tweed jacket, and a caramel-colored trench coat. I grabbed a pair of sensible kitten heels, but then went back over my options. After a bit of waffling, I exchanged them for slinky black patent stilettos that I normally wouldn’t buy for myself. Why not live a little?
That should do it,I thought with satisfaction.
I encountered Marlena when I stepped into the hall. Her eyes narrowed on the clothes in my arms. Though I’d been ordered to take them, her gaze made me feel like I’d been caught shoplifting. “Michael told me to take these. I tried to refuse, but he insisted.”
“Oh, really.” It wasn’t a question.
She said nothing more, so I prattled on. “He’s taking me home now.”
“Oh, really?” This time itwasa question. “Why aren’t you being dropped off by the car service?”
I shrugged. “Michael wants to take me home himself.”
Marlena was irritated. Her silence said as much.
“Robert is out of town, Marlena, or else I’d have him pick me up. If it’s a problem—”
She sighed. “No, Michael has his reasons, I’m sure.”
I smiled, “Thank you for having me at Dignitary. It’s been a pleasure working for . . .”
Marlena skulked off, leaving me to stand there blathering to myself.So glad I’ll never have to deal with that nasty bitch again, I thought, and then I went to find Michael. I couldn’t stand to be in the place one second longer.
37
Iwalked into the den to find Michael pulling on his coat. “Ah, I was about to check in on you. Looks like you found some nice things. You happy?”
I nearly mentioned my thorny exchange with Marlena, but I couldn’t see any point in spoiling the mood. “Very. Thank you again, Michael.”
“Don’t mention it. You ready to hit the road?”
We walked into the garage, and I gently flattened my new clothes across the backseat. When we got in, I said, “You know the way to Robert’s?”
“Sure do.”
After we’d been driving a bit, I said, “Michael, I just want to say that I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me. I can’t tell you how much Dignitary has changed my life for the better. You’ve opened my eyes to so many new things.”
“And Robert,” he broke in. “You also met Robert.”
