Bastion smiles, twin pools of blue twinkling. “I’ll be right here the whole time.”
It sounds like a promise and a declaration.
20
BASTION
Hattie is in her room, putting on her robe, when Jeffery calls up to let me know that the stylist and her team are here.
I had to think of something to bring Hattie back onside. It’s been clear all week that she’s uncomfortable as hell when she’s in the club, and if I want her to stay, I need her to feel more at home. A new wardrobe will go a long way toward that, and this weekend, I intend to show her around Seattle.
I let Ivy and her team into the condo and direct them to set up in the living room. Ivy is probably in her early thirties, with chin-length black hair that’s parted in the middle. She’s dressed in a pair of cream pants and a silk blouse.
I’ve consulted with her a few times in the past when I was looking to update my own wardrobe. I’d rather suffer through a few hours of trying on clothes in my own home than go to actual stores and deal with salespeople. The two of us say our hellos and catch up for a minute before Hattie walks into the room.
Hattie stands at the edge of the living area with her mouth agape as Ivy’s team organizes the racks and racks of clothing and accessories.
“Hattie, I’d like you to meet Ivy and her team. They’re going to help you find some items you like.”
Ivy inspects Hattie, sizing her up, calculating her size, her curves, her coloring, and hopefully she has an idea forming of what would work best. “Pleasure to meet you, Hattie.” She stretches out her hand between them, and Hattie accepts the handshake.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Bastion tells me you need some outfits to wear into the office. Classy with a side of sensual is the directive I was given. Does that sound about right?”
Hattie’s gaze darts over to meet mine. “Um… I guess we can see how that looks.”
Ivy nods and claps her hands together once. “Perfect. Let’s get started then. I’m going to have you try on some things to start just so I can see how different cuts and fabrics look on you. From there, we’ll refine, okay?”
Hattie bites her bottom lip, but she nods.
“Okay, Clarissa, why don’t you pull the Armani so we can…”
Ivy’s voice fades as she heads across the room to deal with her team, and I walk over to Hattie.
“Relax, this is supposed to be fun.” I squeeze her shoulder.
“What if I don’t like anything?” she whispers. “I don’t want to offend Ivy.”
“Your only job here is to be honest. You don’t have to like everything she suggests, and she’s not expecting you to, okay?” I dip my face down so it’s level with hers and wait until she nods. “If you don’t like something, tell her. She’s hard to offend. Trust me.”
The corners of her lips tip slightly, but she cringes before I can pull a full-on smile from her. “I’m going to feel bad if I tell her I don’t like something.”
“Hey, there’s no reason to. The only reason you should feel bad is if she leaves here and you have a bunch of clothes you don’t like and never want to wear. If you’re not honest, she can’t do her job properly. Think of it like that.”
My words seem to relax her a little.
“Now, I’m going to go work in my office while you guys get down to business, but if you want my opinion on anything, just come find me, okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, okay.”
I squeeze her shoulder and head off down the hallway to my home office, where I close the door behind me. I have a call to make, and I need privacy to do it.
I sit at my desk and pull the burner phone from the desk drawer. Most of the time Sean and I meet in person, but the odd time that we have to speak on the phone, I always use a burner so that it can’t be traced back to me.
The phone rings several times, but Sean picks up right before I’m about to hang up.
“I heard you’ve been looking for me. I hope it’s not to try to continue the last conversation we had.” I lean back in my chairand pick up a pen off my desk, rolling it up and down my knuckles.
