Another forced smile as Brenda looks at me. I probably look the opposite of a happily engaged woman.
“Thank you.” I watch the charm come out as Aiden shakes Brenda’s hand. He smiles, still one that doesn’t reach his eyes, but most wouldn’t know it’s a fake smile unless they knew him well. “As I mentioned to your manager earlier this morning, we’re on a special shopping expedition to buy some new outfits for Seraphina. Our engagement recently became public and we’re looking forward to going out more.”
“Oh!” Dimples appear in Brenda’s cheeks as she grins. “I’m both honored and excited to serve you today.” She turns to me. “What are your preferences? Do you have a list?”
I glance over at Aiden, but he gestures for me to answer. A knot loosens in my chest. The last year of Brett’s and my relationship was a balancing act when it came to what I wore. I tried dressing in outfits that met his standards. But so often I fell short. I’m glad to see that Aiden’s need for control doesn’t extend to my clothes, because our engagement would be over as quickly as it’s begun.
“Um… I’m not sure,” I confess. What does a billionaire’s fiancée wear?
“Cocktail dresses,” Aiden says with that smile still in place. “Evening gowns, a few outfits for media appearances, and resort wear.”
I try not to sound ungrateful as I look over at him. “Do I really need all of that?”
“Of course you do. Darling,” he adds with what sounds suspiciously like amusement. He turns back to Brenda. “She usually likes vintage-inspired pieces.”
A fluttering sensation flies through my chest. Yet another detail Aiden paid attention to.
It doesn’t mean anything, I remind myself firmly.
“We have some beautiful dresses I know you’ll like.” Brenda clasps her hands in front of her. “What sort of budget are we aiming for?”
“There isn’t one.” Aiden gestures to the store. “Clothing, jewelry, handbags. Whatever she needs, whatever she wants.”
My head starts to spin. No limit? In a store like this? After he just dropped fifteen million dollars to buy a town house for a charity he’s never heard of?
I wait until Brenda disappears into the back before I turn to him.
“Is all of this really necessary?”
“Yes. We’ll be under constant scrutiny from here on out. I need you to look the part of a billionaire’s fiancée.”
I think of the numerous women he’s been seen with since I started working with Hawke Financial. They wear clothes like this on a daily basis.
“It’s nothing to do with your style, Seraphina.”
I wrinkle my nose. Is the man reading my mind?
“I didn’t say—”
“No, but the stricken look on your face spoke volumes.” He moves closer, so close I have to tilt my head to look up at him. “If I had concerns about your clothing, I’d have brought it up a long time ago. You have always represented Hawke Financial well, both professionally and fashionably.”
Damn it, why does that compliment warm me so much? I know how much Hawke Financial means to him, the hours he’s poured into making it successful.
“Maybe you’ll even enjoy yourself.”
“I’m not exactly a marathon shopping kind of girl.” Much to my mother’s chagrin.
“Well, do your best, then.” He glances down at his watch. “I should be back in two hours.”
“Two hours?” Spending time with Aiden isn’t high on my radar right now, but it’s preferable to being left here alone. “Where are you going?”
“I have a couple errands to run. I’ll be back by eleven.” He nods to Brenda as she comes back into the room with several gowns draped over her arm. “Take good care of her.”
And then he’s gone, walking out the door without a backward glance, leaving me alone in the middle of one of the most high-end fashion stores in the city. I watch as he gets back into the limo and the long, sleek car pulls away from the curb.
“Ready, Miss Clark?”
I turn back to Brenda.
