I thought about it. About what I actually wanted, not what I thought I should want.
"Clothes that fit," I said slowly. "Boots that don't leak. Maybe a coat that doesn't smell like someone else."
Etienne moved around the table, his hand landing on my shoulder. The weight of it steadied me.
"Then you'll get those things."
“I can? But I wouldn't know where to start."
“I can arrange for a personal shopper,” Hastings said.
"Or… Maeve." The name slipped out before I could stop it. "She'll know what I should buy. I've never bought nice things, but Maeve turned up at the caravan park with a fancy suitcase full of nice clothes and perfumes…"
I trailed off, thinking about that. About how a woman with designer luggage ended up hiding in a caravan park in NorthYorkshire.
"Call her," Hastings said. "Tell her the helicopter will be with her in two hours."
My head snapped up. "The helicopter?"
"Unless you'd prefer she take the train." His tone was dry.
"You're sending a helicopter to pick up my friend so we can go shopping."
"Is that a problem?"
I stared at him. At the immaculate suit, his cold gray eyes, and the way he was offering me the world like it was nothing.
"No," I whispered. "No problem."
The men stood, gathering their things. Hastings buttoned his jacket. Fritz pocketed his phone. Etienne pressed a kiss to the top of my head before he left like it was the most natural thing in the world.
My hand pressed there and he laughed.
"Have fun, Princesse."
Then I was alone in the dining room with a black AmEx card and a phone that suddenly felt very heavy in my hand.
I dialed Maeve's number. She answered on the second ring.
"Please tell me you're okay," she said immediately. "I've been checking the news for reports of omega-napping or if there was a big omega sale in Dubai."
"I'm fine. Better than fine."
"Define 'better than fine.'"
I looked at the card on the table. "Ihave a magic card."
We were both silent for a beat.
"What?"
"A black AmEx. And you're coming shopping with me. Be ready in two hours."
Maeve screamed so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
"Are you serious right now? Presley Prince, if you're joking I will—"
"There's a helicopter coming to get you."
