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Mikayla stared at the silent phone as it lay on the table before glancing back at her two new customers as they went over the books of designs Mikayla had put together. Some were her own designs; others were on consignment. The gowns were by far the most expensive she had, as well as the most gorgeous.
"I love your style," Kira remarked as she glanced up with a smile, her gray eyes filled with vivacity as she tucked a strand of long black hair behind her ear. "I heard you were good, but this exceeds my expectations."
"And exactly how did you hear about me?" Mikayla asked as she picked up he
r water and sipped.
The two women seemed to know too much about her. They were smooth, graceful, but the way their eyes watched everything, the way they moved, the way they acted, reminded Mikayla of Nik.
"A party last week," Bailey Serborne Vincent answered. "Margaret Westfield was wearing a beautiful shimmery blue gown. I was completely jealous. She gave me your name."
Mikayla nodded. She'd done several gowns for Margaret Westfield.
"We have several charity events coming up this winter." Kira glanced at Bailey. The look the two women shared had Mikayla's eyes narrowing.
She wasn't stupid, and the other two women weren't even trying to hide the fact that they were amused by something.
"And you need gowns?" Mikayla guessed.
"Several," Bailey agreed, her green eyes appraising as she turned back to the design plates laid out on the table. "Three to be exact. And I do believe we're interested in having you make them. Do you think you could complete six gowns before October?"
"I could complete two by October and two by the first of the next two months. There's no way all six could be done by October, though. It will also require your availability for fittings on short notice."
The two women were quiet for long moments before Kira glanced at her friend, then nodded slowly. "Those arrangements are suitable." She pushed three plates forward from the book she was holding. "I'm interested in these, though I'd need an assurance I won't have to worry about anyone else wearing the same design anytime for the rest of the year."
She had nothing to worry about. The dresses she had chosen were three of the most expensive Mikayla had. They were her own designs and completely under her own control.
"That can be arranged." She wouldn't have to worry about rent on the shop for the 134
next two years.
"I'd like to look at the designs a while longer," Bailey stated. "Could I come by the shop tomorrow and give you my choices? And of course I'd need the same assurance."
"I can only give that assurance if you choose the gowns I've designed," Mikayla stated.
Bailey nodded with a smiling, "Of course."
Talk about too good to be true.
She wasn't a great believer in coincidence, Mikayla admitted. These two women were damned good. They hadn't batted a lash while she was on the phone with Nik, but the call they had received right after her phone call had her suspicious instincts clamoring in warning.
"So, do the two of you know Nik Steele well?" she asked them. They didn't act the least bit surprised. "We often travel among the same social sphere." Bailey smiled coolly. "Nik is an acquaintance of both our husbands, actually."
"And that's where you heard about my gowns?" Mikayla asked, fairly certain Margaret Westfield hadn't given her name. She was a friend of Maddix. That made a differene.
"No, actually, it's not." Kira smiled in amusement. "Nik would have never told us. Another mutual acquaintance happened to know where he was, and that he was helping a friend out here. Your name might have been mentioned. Gossip does travel fast, dear, and when Margaret Westfield mentioned you as well we decided to look you up."
"And you're here because of Nik why?" Mikayla asked curiously.
"Because Nik is a friend and we enjoy tormenting our friends." Bailey laughed.
"Once he knows we were here, he's going to be--"
"Completely irate enough to call both your husbands," Nik growled behind them as he approached the table.
Tall, dressed in those wicked black leathers, with a scowl on his face and irritation glittering in his eyes.
He took a seat and stared at each of them in turn. Kira. Bailey. Mikayla. Mikayla smiled back at him placidly.
