Emme had always been a private person. While she’d seemed close with one of my roommates, she’d also always been a little distant. In some ways, that’s why I’d felt close with her. Because of the mystery, the little bit of the unknown. We hadn’t needed to pretend with each other.
“I’m the baby sister and after the death of our father, they took it upon themselves to make me their pet project. The lost little girl who needs her big brothers to make every decision.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. What happened?”
Emme opened her mouth as if to answer then laughed, but the sound was different than what I was used to hearing. If there was one thing I counted on with Emme, it was her sunny personality. There was a dark aura surrounding her.
“This is the perfect set. Look at that chair. So comfortable. What do you think?” she asked me so flippantly that I sensed she wanted to shove aside any prying questions. She plopped down on the overstuffed chair, immediately stretching her arms over the huge, rounded armrests.
I eased down on the couch. “Leather furniture in bright red. What’s not to love?”
We remained where we were in the middle of the store, Emme staring out the window at the crowded street and me wondering what level of pain she was hiding. We all had dirty little secrets. Just because it was obvious her family had money didn’t mean that she was immune to suffering. “Daddy was killed by a gunman.” Her statement seemed so hollow, so full of sadness.
“Oh, my God. I don’t know what to say. Did they catch who did such a horrible thing?”
Her mouth twisted. “My brothers did. In a manner of speaking.”
I knew better than to pry. Whatever the reason, we definitely weren’t close enough for her to spill her secrets.
She rubbed her hand across the seat, nodding several times. “Do you really like this?”
“Absolutely. It’s beautiful. Maybe they have a layaway plan.”
“No need. We’re getting the entire set.”
My cough was met with a laugh. “Um, even secondhand, not in my budget. When they said principal dancer, we’re talking with a small ballet company. That didn’t mean a hefty salary.”
“Well, you have your first training session tonight at the club. The bartenders and servers make a killing. A lot more than I make.”
Why was she having difficulty looking me in the eye?
Given the whirlwind that had been the day before, I’d forgotten all about Emme also landing me a second part-time job. Now I was a nervous nelly. “Didn’t you say your brother is involved with the club? He will not be happy I was hired.”
“Jaxon is involved in all aspects of the corporation, but he doesn’t run the club. Daniel Grace does and I already told him you were coming on board. Daniel knows better than to cross me.”
“Does everyone do what you say?”
“If they want to live.” She bit back a laugh until I realized she was kidding. Finally, we both laughed. “Come on. You need furniture. I know the manager of this fabulous store since I purchased half my furniture from here. Little known fact. They can be dickered with.”
“Dickered with?”
“Girl,” Emme said as she pulled me to my feet. “The best part about shopping is getting the price down.” She walked straight to a nice-looking older gentleman.
“Emme. It’s so good to see you. What can I do for you?”
“Mike, this is my best friend in the entire world, Anna. Mike is the best in the business. That sofa set over there with the corresponding coffee and end tables need to be delivered to my address as well as the incredible maple canopy bed in the next room and everything that goes with it. Anna is moving into my fabulous apartment and needs pretty things. Lots of pretty things. Do you think you can have it delivered by day after tomorrow?”
“Whoa. Hold on,” I told her and she turned so only I could see her, winking as if this was all a game.
“For you? I can have it delivered tomorrow.” Mike was more than eager and willing to make her happy in any way possible. I could tell by the lust-filled look in his eyes.
The same one that I’d seen in Jaxon’s. I liked his name. It suited him.
“Excellent,” she cooed, flashing him a lovely smile. “There’s just one more thing, Mike. I think you need to reduce the price bytwenty-five percent. Let’s face it, the sofa and the chair have been here for several weeks.”
He opened his mouth while shock bore down on his face seconds before she placed her hand on his chest, tilting her head. Was she batting her eyelashes?
For the first time in weeks, I felt a little lighthearted.
