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His eyes flickered towards her and he gave a start as he realised the lift doors had opened. ‘I’m busy,’ he hissed into the phone, jamming it back in his pocket.
Lara couldn’t even think straight. Her head was still full of every item of clothing that she’d need to replace with unknown funds so by the time he’d steered her in and out of the lift she didn’t have a clue where she was.
An elegant young woman in a dark suit with a jaunty scarf at her neck greeted them. ‘Mr Tyler?’ she asked. ‘I’m Bree, your personal shopper.’
Reuben nodded, his hand firmly in the small of Lara’s back. ‘This is my friend, Lara Callaway,’ he said swiftly. ‘She’s had a mishap with her summer wardrobe and needs some replacements.’ He glanced around the dazzling array of clothes. ‘Things that will be suitable for a summer cruise she’ll be enjoying in a couple of weeks.’
This time Lara did blink. She was trying to suck in a breath between her tightly clenched lips.
The dark-haired, red-lipped woman nodded attentively. She was so neat. So tidy. So professional that Lara felt entirely dowdy. But Bree nodded as if she were the most important person on the planet and steered her towards a room. ‘What kind of things would you like? Dresses? Skirts? Or trousers? Is there a particular colour you prefer? And would you like daywear as well as nightwear?’
Lara felt herself nod along and murmur, ‘Pink, or blue, or green. Any summer colours really.’ How come she already knew that Bree had that ruthless efficiency edge to her personality type?
Her hands pressed self-consciously against her stomach. ‘Do you need to know my size?’
Bree shook her head, her eyes running up and down her body. ‘No problem. I’ve got your size,’ she said confidently. She ushered Lara behind a set of velvet curtains. ‘Get undressed and I’ll be back in a few minutes.’
Reuben hadn’t even lifted his head from his phone. He was answering some text or email as he sat down in the velvet-covered chair in the corner of the room.
Another assistant appeared with some glasses and a bottle of champagne. She poured them without a word and set one glass down on the table next to Reuben and the other in the dressing room next to Lara. ‘Would you like some chocolates?’
Lara shook her head wordlessly. If she couldn’t afford a cup of tea in here, she certainly couldn’t afford any clothes.
She stood behind the curtains and stared out at Reuben for a few seconds. He looked furious. She was almost scared to speak.
She grabbed hold of the edge of one of the purple velvet curtains. ‘Reuben,’ she hissed.
He didn’t even acknowledge that she’d spoken.
She tried again. ‘Reuben!’ This time she was louder. He looked up.
‘What?’
She blinked back the tears that were threatening to fill her eyes again. ‘Why did you bring me here? I can’t afford any of this stuff.’ Her stomach clenched. ‘You should have told me. You should have told me about my clothes this morning. Then I might have had a chance to get something sorted instead of wasting time over coffee and cakes!’
He frowned. ‘What are you worrying about? I’ll cover the cost of your clothes.’ He waved his hand and went back to his email.
Her mouth fell open. ‘What? No.’ She couldn’t believe it. Why would someone she barely knew offer to restock her wardrobe for her?
He gave a little shrug as he kept bashing away at his phone.
She opened her mouth to speak but Bree swept back into the private changing room with half the contents of the store held effortlessly over her arm.
She stood behind the curtains with Lara and systematically hung things up. ‘You’re not ready yet?’ she asked as everything was slotted into place. ‘Summer dresses, skirts and matching tops, Capri pants and a variety of matching items. You get started and I’ll find some eveningwear for you and some shoes.’ She regarded the rainbow of clothes hanging in front of her nose. ‘I’ve brought the colours I thought would suit you best, but we can change that if there’s anything you don’t particularly like.’
She swept back out without another word and Lara gulped. She wasn’t sure she’d have the heart to tell Bree she didn’t like anything she’d chosen.
She stared down at her skinny jeans, brown boots and simple top. Talk about being out of place.
She picked up the glass of champagne and stared at it for a second before taking a nervous gulp. Bree wasn’t making her uncomfortable. She’d been nothing but efficient. Lara was making herself uncomfortable.
She fingered one of the pale pink summer dresses hanging in front of her. It was gorgeous and would suit her pale complexion and blonde hair perfectly. But there was no way she was even looking at the price tag.
