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“So, is there a particular designer you like?”
I shake my head. “I’m not familiar with too many, except the ones my best friend would get me. I hate overspending. My husband never cared, but I did. I guess I felt guilty.”
“You are entirely too good for Kalum. I can see why he cares for you so much. You’re so genuine.”
I stay silent. Cares for me? I think he just feels sorry for my situation and the fact that his friend Lane died and he was asked to watch over his wife. This is just a small favor I agreed to do for Kalum. There is no way Kalum harbors any type of feelings for me anymore. I am not going to lie and say I didn’t fall for him because, crying in the diner when Lane picked me up off the street, I poured my heart out to him. How much it hurt to be kicked out and how confused I felt about Kalum. I think Kalum was really my first true love compared to Marcus. With Kalum, I felt heartbroken that he let them do that to me. It was my birthday. None of what Exie says makes sense. I get he called me after, but it was to talk to me, and I refused. I refused because what was the point? I could never fit in his world. Not even Lane’s. I’m the outcast. The leech Lane’s mother once referred to me when I overheard him speaking on the phone to his mother one night. She said I was a parasite. That I was just after his money and name. I will never forget his father’s words when he got on the phone. “She is not worthy of the Turner name, Lane. All she did was trap you by getting pregnant.”His father’s words sliced into me like a knife but I acted like I didn’t hear them on the phone.
I remember Lane was quick to end the call, but the damage was done. I vowed to be discreet and try to make my own money from knitting my bracelets. I never asked for anything or went shopping. I felt ashamed. I only bought things for our son and that was it. When he asked me if I wanted something, I declined. I always said no. Maybe he sensed it or maybe he didn’t, but I would never know because he would never say anything. He just left every morning and would return later in the evening. Every. Single. Day.
I never complained or told him he was spending too much time at the shop. When I asked for him to go to the park or zoo with Lane, he always said he was busy. I understood. He was working and providing for us and what I made selling my paltry bracelets would never amount to what Lane made money-wise.
I sit back and feel the air of the air conditioner and look out the window of the car as it makes its way into the city for the two-hour drive.
“Are you okay?” Janine asks.
I look at Janine and give her a smile. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking. Do we really have to buy a designer dress? It can’t be from a secondhand store or maybe a department store? They really have nice things if you look.”
Janine looks at me like I grew a second head. “Um, I don’t think—” She pauses. “Look, there is nothing wrong with buying something from those places but where Kalum goes to take his high-profile clients, it is a little more upscale. I’m thinking Balmain would look great on you since you are so petite.”
The car stops in front of a designer boutique shop near Fifth Avenue and Manhattan. Security opens the door and we are escorted inside where there is a lady already waiting for us to head inside.
“Janine.” The older woman walks up and kisses each of her cheeks.
“Hey, doll. I have come at Mr. St. Claire’s request for his lady.”
“Oh, I’m no—”
The older lady looks at me and smiles but interrupts me. “So you are Kalum’s lady.” Her eyes focus on my face then down to my simple black T-shirt and jeans. “Yes, she is definitely his. I can see it. You are breathtaking, my dear.”
“I was thinking Balmain for tonight. Black knitted monogram, short, high-neck with a double strap sandal, black and gold.”
“Oh, yes, I have the new collection and it will look perfect on her. Chic, classy but very sexy. It will make her legs look like they go on forever.”
“I have to be careful with you, Janine, you might take my job,” she teases.
“And give up my good job with Mr. Sensitive and Condescending? Never,” Janine says sarcastically.
“He’s that bad, huh?” I chime in.
“Yes, but he is nice and reasonable when it comes to you for some reason. It is like he can’t say no.”
“We’re just old friends.”
“I think he wants to be more than friends but I don’t want to pry into your personal relationship.” She stops at the foot of the carpeted staircase to the second floor and raises her head. “Oh, wait. Maybe I do. I love a good love story. Even if I like women myself but either way, love is love.”
I like Janine and her craziness. I think she is a great assistant to Kalum. She has a way of making sense but keeping you on your toes.
Chapter 14
Kalum
I wait for the car to bring her to the front of the restaurant where she will be dropped off and then she will leave with me. My clients are already inside, seated at the table but I’m dying to see her first. To finally have her by my side. To have the chance to take her to dinner. My hands are shaking slightly and I mumble under my breath, releasing a few curse words. The Rolls pulls up next with Cason’s men trailing behind. I wave them off as I want to be the one to open her door and be the first to witness what she is wearing.
Janine texted me a few minutes ago with two words.“You’re welcome.” Whatever that means. When the black car stops in front of the five-star restaurant, there are cameras flashing when I open the door, and one long slender leg with golden skin pokes out. My breath catches in my throat as Aura, with her brown hair silky straight with a hint of red, stands and slides her slender hand into mine. Her makeup is in nude shades, and I swear I stopped breathing.
I ignore the flashes of the cameras behind me as my eyes rake over the sexiness of her knitted dress to the delicate nail polish on her pretty toes. Jesus, she looks like a model on the cover of Vogue.
She steps closer to me when I pull her to my chest. I close my eyes briefly so I can smell the flowery scent of her perfume. I almost ditch the dinner and place her back in the car because what I want to do is take her back to my apartment and peel that dress off while I taste every inch of her skin. I don’t want anyone to see her but me. I want her all to myself.
