You’re falling for him.
Nope. I’ve already fallen for him. I won’t let anyone hurt him, especially Grandma Shirley, who never cares about collateral damage. Compared to my grandmother, Machiavelli was an amateur.
I should tell Dominic the truth about who I am soon, I think as I open the door. He’s been wondering, I can tell. I shouldn’t have taken those dresses from my closet, but Kristen deserves to have a great prom.
As I turn into the stairs, a woman bumps into me. In her forties, the brunette’s in an off-the-rack black suit, her hair cut into a neat bob. Her dark eyebrows pinch, wrinkles forming on a small forehead, and her mouth opens as though she’s about to cut me down with a few words.
Then her eyes grow large, and she stops. Her thin lips twist into a smirk. “Well. It’s you.” Her gaze sweeps over me. “You dress…rather classy.”
I scowl at the mocking way she stares at me. I’m not used to such looks from strangers, and certainly not in my grandmother’s home.
Her face has a coat of foundation, but dark freckles still show through. “Do I know you?” I ask.
“No, probably not
.” She doesn’t bother to introduce herself. Instead, she starts moving past me.
I stare as the woman walks out of the house. Who was that?
As I turn away, I spot Tolyan, and gesture in the direction of the foyer. “Do you know who she is?”
“Dorothy Brown,” he says, his voice cool and slightly accented.
The name doesn’t ring a bell, and I’m really good with names. Still, we have to have met somewhere before for her to act in that rudely.
“Shirley’s waiting,” he says.
“Right,” I mutter. “I know I’m late.”
He glances at his watch. “Four minutes and thirty-seven seconds.”
I roll my eyes. He doesn’t have to break it down to the second.
“Five minutes,” he says. Obviously he can read my mind.
“Fine, fine,” I say. “I’m going.”
And I do. But by the time Grandma’s finished, I wish I’d been run over by a truck after a plane has landed on me.
* * *
Dominic
Kristen looks stunning in the blue dress she borrowed from Liza. Diego’s a handsome kid—a senior—with a wide, friendly smile and good manners. He won’t be making any moves on her though since I put God’s fear into him while Kristen went to her room for final makeup check.
“Have fun,” I say, hugging Kristen. “Just not too much fun.”
She rolls her eyes, smiling as she puts her hand in the crook of Diego’s elbow, and they leave.
I stretch my arms over my head, then grin when my gaze lands on the thick stack of papers on the table. I’m officially working as an intern at OWM—just had my first two days, including an hour orientation. It’s a big deal because the firm rarely hires undergraduates. But my interview with Gavin Lloyd went great. And he liked me well enough to have me report directly to him.
Yes, yes, yes!
Gavin doesn’t believe in having his interns make coffee. He works me hard, which is exactly what I want so I can learn from the best. The excellent pay—more than what I make at my two part-time jobs—is just the cherry on top.
So many amazing things have happened since Liza walked into the bar. And I plan to spoil her. I already made a reservation at Morton’s for later this evening—a surprise. A local jewelry artist will send a commissioned piece next Wednesday. I can’t wait to put it on Liza, watch her eyes sparkle with joy.
Two brisk knocks at the door. I answer it, and Aunt Dorothy is standing on the other side.