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His appraisal and compliments make me giddy. Sure, I hoped he’d notice, but I didn’t expect this much.
Phoebe and I intend on spending most of Saturday at Neiman Marcus shopping our heads off. That said, I couldn’t leave the store yesterday without this outfit. The champagne-colored silk blouse is so feminine and nothing like the stiff cotton shirts I usually gravitate towards. The white asymmetric skirt with ruffled hem that hits me below the knee is such a departure from my usual conservative pencil skirts. Since I already owned the nude Cedrics patent leather high heels, they were the logical choice. And not a vest in sight. In fact, I didn’t even bother with a blazer this morning.
“What’s the story behind the buttoned-up suits?” Beckett asks. “I sense it’s more than a fashion statement.”
I didn’t expect his question.
“A suit sends a message.”
“What kind of message?”
“It says I know what I’m talking about. People take me seriously when I dress the part, despite my age.”
His eyebrows hit his forehead. “Arianne, your brain works in a way that’s unparalleled. People will take you seriously because what comes out of your mouth is pure genius. They’ll be hooked when they find out you’re the full package—brains, beauty, and charm. I know I was.”
Oh, wow.
“The buttoned-up suit is a distraction.”
“You’re full of compliments,” I say with feigned detachment.
“It’s the truth,” he says.
My brain tends to scare people away—including members of my own family. To hear a powerful man who can have any woman he wants talk about me like this is overwhelming.
“Is the new look here to stay?” he asks.
“I won’t wear suits every day anymore… unless I want to suffocate.”
“I approve,” he says.
I bite my lower lip.
“Does this mean anything?” Beckett asks, caressing the star pendant dangling from my neck.
“Not really.” I shrug. “I bought it at a high-end jeweler in Carmel when I got my first big bonus. It’s an antique brooch that was transformed into a pendant. I liked the contrast between the white gold brooch encrusted with diamond and white pearls combined with a modern yellow gold chain. I figured it’s the kind of piece a grandmother would pass down as an heirloom,” I pause and swallow hard. “I don’t have a grandmother per se, so I figured why not…” I let my words trail.
Beckett’s blue eyes search mine. “Why do I feel there’s a story behind that?”
“Because there is.” I don’t offer more.
“Maybe one day you’ll tell me.”
“Maybe,” I say in a small voice.
“Why did you disobey me, Arianne?” He gets down to business.
I avert my gaze.
He places two fingers under my chin, forcing my attention back to him.
“I expect an answer from you.”
“I’m wearing a white skirt, Beckett.”
“So?”
I clear my throat. “A wet spot would be… noticeable.”
