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“I’ve never seen you this happy.”
“Your father finally did it. He can finally give us the life we deserve. Don’t throw it back in his face.”
I scoffed. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Mom. I don’t think I’m allowed to throw anything back.”
“You think too much.” She shook her head. “Get started. I’ll get Alana to help you.”
I did as she asked and tried every item the store attendant suggested for me. When I donned the last outfit, a short, pleated skirt with a matching blouse in a pink and green pattern, Mom came in with a pair of strappy sandals. I put those on too and turned to face the mirror. I didn’t even flinch when Alana came in and added a belt that hugged my waist tight. Who didn’t like to play dress up?
“This is my favorite for you.” She added a headband in light pink, then proceeded to cut the tags off the skirt and blouse.
“Wait. I don’t think we’re taking all this home.”
“Yes, we are.” Mom picked up my jeans and old sweater off the leather bench. “You’re keeping that, and I’m tossing these. Finish up, while I pay.”
Alana made quick work of collecting everything out of the dressing room and escorting Mom to the counter. I filed behind them, but kept going toward the front of the store. Every step I took, the new shoes molded to my feet like butter. Signoria Vittoria knew what she was doing when she brought us here to get me to sign her agreement.
Outside, I found myself smiling back at strangers who nodded politely as they passed. They too agreed this was a better version of me.
When I glanced up, I recognized the jewelry store across the way. Mom’s favorite movie wasBreakfast at Tiffany’s. On a whim, I crossed the street and headed inside. Not that I could afford anything there, but the Chanel ensemble made me feel bold. It made me feel like I belonged inside Tiffany’s.
The showroom was bigger than I expected with higher floors visible from the main area. Everything sparkled, even the housewares and the different trinkets designed for cats and dogs. I strolled around the different displays for a few minutes before I stopped in front of a glass case with a gorgeous sapphire necklace.
“Jesus,” I said aloud, bracing my fingers on the panel.
“Would you like to see it?” A woman came out of nowhere. Her polite posture and smile told me she worked here.
“Oh no, thanks. I was just looking.”
“She would love to try it.”
I turned to face the deep voice on the other side of me, and my jaw dropped. Why was this gorgeous guy talking to me? He seemed about my age, maybe a little older. But his eyes showed all kinds of sinful thoughts. I attempted a smile, but really, I couldn’t stop staring at his beautiful features.
“It’s a velvety blue sapphire surrounded by brilliant round diamonds set in platinum.” The saleswoman opened the case and removed the necklace. “I’m Chloe. Are you shopping for a special occasion?”
I glanced down at my clothes and then at the guy next to me. He wore a fitted suit and what looked to me like a very expensive watch. That a salesperson at Tiffany’s would believe someone like him would be my boyfriend made my stomach flutter with butterflies. Guys like him didn’t exist in my world.
“No,” I answered. But before I could tell her I wasn’t shopping for anything at all, the mystery boy stepped in.
“Let me help you.” He nodded to Chloe and took the chain from her, handling it expertly.
I bet guys like him bought expensive jewelry all the time. On a normal day, I would’ve left already. On a normal day, I wouldn’t even be inside this place. But my life wasn’t normal anymore. Not two hours ago, I had signed and agreed to become a mafia teen. Whatever that meant. I was supposed to attend their exclusive prep school, wear their designer clothes, and keep all their secrets.
So when my mystery guy, with the deep hazel eyes, walked behind me and placed the necklace on my clavicle, I stood there and did the only thing that made sense to me in the moment. I moved my hair out of the way and let him get close. His fingers grazed the back of my neck. And then I realized, I’d never been touched by a boy before. And certainly not like this, with such skill and kindness.
“The color blue suits you.” He arranged the sapphire, so it sat in the middle of my chest.
His gaze met mine. When it dropped to my lips, my heartbeat spiked. Did he like me? For some reason, just because my life lately had been so chaotic, I wanted him to like me, to find me pleasing. I wanted to get lost in the intense serenity of his energy.
I glanced down at his long fingers resting on the sapphire. If he dropped his hand a few inches down, he’d brush my breast. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, hot blood rushed to my cheeks. Could he feel the thumping in my chest?
I wasn’t the sophisticated girl these new clothes made me seem. I had no idea how to play it cool, or how to stop my erratic breathing, or even how to talk to him. For crying out loud, he was still here. That meant he wanted to have a conversation with me, right?
“What do you think?” Chloe smiled at me, then looked at my mystery guy, silently asking if I was ready to buy.
I opened my mouth to say we weren’t together, but he beat me to it. “I think she should have it.”
“Oh no, I was just browsing.” I reached behind me and removed the chain from around my neck, clumsily retuning the piece back to Chloe. “Thank you. No.”
