“Nina.” Billie regarded her with a single nod. “Did the courier collect the Holland order?”
“He did.” Nina’s eyes flicked to Debra, then back to Billie. “And the measurements for the Kingsley suit, I updated those as well.”
“Good.” Billie crossed the floor to the counter. “I just need to pick up some invoices.”
Nina nodded, and then her voice dropped lower, pitched only for Billie as she said, “I’m wearing it today. Just for you. I chose the diamond plug because I know it’s your favourite.”
Billie froze.
She didn’t look at Debra. She didn’tdare.
She simply turned her head and said in a tone quiet enough to cut, “That comment is inappropriate.”
Nina blinked, clearly thrown. “I thought you’d?—”
“You thought wrong.” Billie faced her fully and searched her eyes. “We discussed boundaries yesterday, Nina. I expect them to be respected.”
Nina’s cheeks flushed, but her jaw visibly tightened. Confusion, jealousy, and hurt rippled through her expression before she smoothed it out.
Billie didn’t give her the chance to reply. She turned towards Debra with a much softer smile than she’d ever given Nina. “I’ll be just a moment.”
Debra returned a smile of her own without hesitation. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Of course she wasn’t. God, that was becoming a problem.
Billie slipped into her office and closed the door, pressing her palms flat to the desk. Her pulse thudded in her throat, while rage and shame burned low in the pit of her stomach.
Nina had crossed a line. Not because of what she’d said, but because of who could have potentially heard it.
Billie quickly gathered the invoices she needed, aware that Debra had been left on the floor with Nina, then composed her face into calm neutrality and returned to the front of the shop.
Debra looked up, and everything inside Billie settled.
“Ready?”
“Whenever you are.” Debra’s gorgeous smile had the hairs on Billie’s arms standing upright. “Nice seeing you again, Nina.”
“Yeah, bye.”
Billie eyed Nina, something unspoken passing between them in terms of her attitude towards Debra. Regardless of what was going on between her and Debra, she was still a client. “You can head home. I’m done for the day.”
Nina frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Billie’s tone left no room for argument.
Nina collected her things and paused on her way out, her eyes landing on Debra once more. This time, the message was loud and clear.
I was here first.
Billie’s nostrils flared. She would deal with that the next time she was alone with her assistant. Billie wasn’t anyone’s possession, least of all Nina’s.
They both watched Nina leave, the stillness that followed a relief.
Debra stepped closer and leaned against the counter. “She seems…very attentive.”
Billie kept her expression smooth. “She’s competent.”
“That wasn’t the word I was going to use.” Debra tilted her head and studied Billie. “Should I be worried about anything?”
