“The video itself wasn’t really his fault. How could he have known that would happen?”
“He couldn’t. The tabloids aren’t known for giving their prey a heads-up. But still. He’s the one who decided he needed to date half of the women in the city.”
“I suppose he wasn’t doing himself any favors.” Lily sighed. What exactly was Noah looking for? A good time? If so, it was working. He always seemed very content—lots of women, and plenty happy about it.
Charlotte took another gander at the department she’d upended. “Anything else?”
“I trust you. Completely.” Charlotte had classic taste. Everything was fresh and modern, but not overly trendy.
Lily went into the dressing room while Charlotte waited in an adjacent lounge, chatting away on the phone while Lily tried on outfit after outfit, parading about and seeking Charlotte’s two cents.
“That is gorgeous on you,” Charlotte said when Lily stepped out in a flowing royal blue gown with skinny straps and a bit of a plunging neckline. “That’s perfect for the wedding. A definite yes.”
Lily turned in front of the large dressing mirror. “You think it works?”
“Yes. Just be careful when you’re wearing it around Noah.”
Lily felt good in this dress, but thinking about it in the context of Noah seeing her in it made her extremely nervous. “You think he won’t like it?”
“I think he’ll like it a little too much, but that’s his problem.” Charlotte shooed Lily back into the dressing room.
A half hour later, Lily had five new dresses, three pairs of pants, six or seven blouses, and a raging headache from being under fluorescent lights for too long. Delia took everything to the register. “Now what?” Lily asked.
“Shoes,” Charlotte answered flatly.
“Seriously?”
“I promise it’ll be quick.”
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived in the shoe department, an enthusiastic salesman named Roger was waiting for them. Charlotte kissed him on both cheeks and introduced Lily. Charlotte had apparently called him ahead of time, because he presented Lily with some carefully curated options. “These are for travel. Can’t go wrong with classic black pumps.”
Talk about an undersell. Lily had never imagined she’d own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. “Gorgeous.”
“These are some fun beachcomber sandals you can wear with a sundress or going to the beach.” He set aside the first two boxes and pulled out a third pair—sky-high, sparkly and strappy. Two-thousand-dollar Jimmy Choo heels. “Absolutely gorgeous.”
“Well? I’m thinking you can wear them for the wedding,” Charlotte said. “And before you say a thing about the price, that’s not the question. I want to know if you like them.”
“I love them. All of them. But especially the silver ones.”
“Perfect. Let’s get your size and we’ll get out of here. Roger, can you bring these to Delia?”
“Absolutely.”
Five minutes later, it was time to pay. Lily nearly fell over when she saw the total. “I still feel weird about this.” She pulled Noah’s credit card out of her purse and presented it to the clerk.
“Don’t. This is part and parcel of your job this weekend. Not that you couldn’t with your own clothes, but I think you’ll have more fun if you have some new things.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Lily might have to wait for her guilt to subside. She wasn’t an extravagant person.
They took Lily’s packages and hopped on the escalator. As they rode down, Lily couldn’t help but notice that Charlotte was studying her. “Is something wrong?” Lily asked.
“I think I should warn you ahead of time that my brother is almost guaranteed to try something this weekend.”
“Try something?”
“Make a move. When you’re alone.”
“I’ll be fine. I can handle Noah.” Or so she hoped. The one time they’d been truly alone, in the back of his car, things got very hot and she’d lost her mind in no time at all.
“I’m sure you can. And I’m not saying he won’t be a gentleman, because I know he will. But I also know that he’s the king of smooth. He’ll be all smiles and kind gestures and compliments.”
“Isn’t that what all women want?”
“Precisely why he’s so good at getting them. I don’t see any way he passes up the chance to be with you, especially when you’re staying in the same hotel room. I want you to be prepared.”
Lily imagined herself as the most willing sitting duck in history. “It’ll be fine. I’m not worried about it. We’ve been alone lots of times in the office and he’s never been anything but professional.”