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“I think it’s very wise, yes.” His voice is firm.

“Are you two serious?”

I lean forward to hear his response just as Elise walks in carrying some tailored jeans, shirts, and sweaters. Dammit.

“Would you like me to stay while you try these on?” Elise asks.

I shake my head and thankfully she leaves. It’s one thing listening to a conversation about me, quite another for a stranger to witness it too.

“That’s none of your business,” Theo says smoothly. Okay, it’s not exactly what I wanted to hear him say, but it’s very Theo.

“She’s very attractive,” she continues, unabashed. “What do her parents do?”

“For God’s sake, why does it matter what her parents do? It’s the twenty-first century.”

“I’m just trying to show some interest, Theo. And work out where she comes from.”

God, if she saw the house I grew up in she’d probably scream. I look at the clothes Elise has so nicely laid out. And now I don’t want them. Not if Theo’s paying. I don’t want anybody calling me a gold digger. Especially not his mother.

Now that I know the kind of thing to look for, I’ll go to the shops tomorrow and buy my own damn clothes.

Theo’s phone starts to ring as I pull my top back on. His voice is so low that I can’t make out his words. I clear my throat and Elise appears.

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” I give her a smile. “And thank you for all your help. I’m sorry, but I won’t be needing these.” I nod my head at the jeans and tops.

“No problem. What about the dress?”

I think about how it felt. How Theo’s eyes darkened when I walked out in it. Damn it, I love that dress. For a second I weigh the effect it will have on my bank balance versus the effect it has on Theo.

And then I pull my credit card out of my purse and pass it to her. “Can you put it on this please?”

“Of course, Madam. Would you like for me to have the dress delivered? That way you don’t have to carry it home.”

“That would be lovely.” I tell her which hotel I’m staying in. “Thank you for all your help.”

“You’re very welcome.” She gives me a big smile. “I hope you enjoy your party.”

A moment later she comes back with my credit card and a receipt. “The dress will be with you later this afternoon.”

“Thank you.”

“You really did look beautiful,” she tells me. She glances at the curtain then back at me. There’s the tiniest lift to her brow, letting me know that she heard every word his mom said. And weirdly enough, that gives me strength. Just the merest of eyebrow lifts is enough to make me realize my strength.

His mom has no hold over me. Her judgment doesn’t matter.

I’m tired of people thinking I’m somebody I’m not.

Picking up my purse and my coat, I roll my shoulders back, then push my way through the curtains. Theo is still on his phone, still murmuring. His mother is standing by the door.

He looks up and sees me in my own clothes and frowns. “Wait a moment,” he says to whoever’s on the line. He covers the mouthpiece and looks at me. “Is everything okay?” he asks, giving me a soft smile. Okay, so he has no idea I heard everything. Maybe that’s a good thing.

I nod and force a smile on my face. “Yes. Everything will be delivered to the hotel.” That’s not a lie at least.

He blinks, then there’s another squawk from his phone. He lifts it back to his ear. “Okay, I’ll be there in an hour,” he says. “Keep me updated.” He ends the call and slides the phone into his pocket.

“Sorry,” he says to me. “I need to head to a meeting. Is it okay if I drop you back at the hotel on the way?”