Ella sighed and gave in. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“I promise, you won’t regret it,” Tessa said before she hung up.
That was the problem. She knew she wouldn’t regret it. Tessa Worth sounded like a nice woman. And though she was uncomfortable at the idea of spending so much one-on-one time with Tessa, she couldn’t help but wonder what exactly her motives were.
Realizing she had approximately twenty-eight minutes before the car arrived, Ella jumped in the shower and changed into the same black dress she’d worn when she first met with the Worths. Twisting her damp, slightly unruly hair into a topknot, she attempted to put on a bit of makeup, making a face at her reflection in the still-steamy mirror when she saw the smudged mascara beneath her right eye.
She was hopeless. Rubbing at the black dots beneath her eye, she then tossed the tissue into the trash and slicked on some lip balm. Smudged mascara and Chapstick, that was her lackluster makeup regimen.
The surely impeccable Tessa Worth would take one look at her and declare she needed a makeover. Ella could hear it now. Yes, she enjoyed the thought of new clothes, but she didn’t know what was in style and probably couldn’t pull it off anyway. Plus, she didn’t want anything flashy or expensive.
She was a simple girl with simple needs—and she’d become that way out of necessity, nothing more.
The concierge called exactly twenty-eight minutes later, announcing the car was waiting for her in front of the hotel. Nerves eating at her insides, she slipped on her black flats and headed down to the lobby, feeling as if she were facing a firing squad, she was so scared.
What if Tessa hated her? What if she saw her boring dress and shoes and started laughing? Ella would die. Wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Tessa whipped out her cell to call Rhett and ask why in the world did he hire this mouse of a girl.
God, she hadn’t felt this inadequate since…forever.
The driver greeted her when she stepped outside, the sticky warmth of the late-afternoon air, the buzz of activity and noise of the bustling city streets making her head swim. The friendly man led her over to the car, opening the door so she could slip inside.
A woman waited for her within the confines of the car.
Tessa Worth.
“Hi.” She smiled warmly and held out a slender hand once Ella settled herself in her seat. “I’m Tessa.”
“Ella.” She took her hand, gave it a firm shake.
“Cute nickname.” Her dark brown eyes were friendly. “I take it you don’t like to shop?”
“I loathe it,” Ella said vehemently.
Tessa laughed and shook her head, the giant gold hoops in her ears swinging with the movement. “I promise I won’t torture you. There’s one store in particular I want to take you to. I think you’ll love it.”
“I hope it’s nothing too crazy. My style is fairly—basic.” Understatement of the year. She was a drab nothing compared to the glamorous—and deceptively simple—outfit Tessa wore. Chic blue-and-white-striped top and expensive-looking jeans, a variety of gold bracelets dangling from her wrists and a giant diamond twinkling on her ring finger, she was the epitome of the young, rich society wife.
“I agree,” Tessa said, her gaze narrowed as she contemplated Ella. “Simple is a good look on you. Too much would overwhelm your delicate features.”
Ella’s mouth popped open at the unexpected compliment. “Um, thank you?”
Tessa cocked her head, her gaze assessing but definitely not judgmental. “You’re not used to this sort of scrutiny, are you?”
“Not at all.” Ella shook her head. “I still don’t understand why you’re taking me shopping. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Trust me. I need this as much as you do.” Tessa leaned in close. “Do you want to know why I’m doing this?”
“I think so. Maybe?” Dread swept down her spine as she waited for Tessa’s explanation.
“Rhett called me this morning asking for advice. He was worried about you. Afraid you were lonely, cooped up in your hotel room all weekend. So he thought you might enjoy going out for a bit.”
“W-why should Rhett Worth care if I’m lonely or not?” The realization startled her. That he actually called his sister-in-law seeking advice, voicing his concerns about her? When she was just a woman he hired, a woman who had minimal experience and a lot to prove?
It stunned her.
Okay fine, there was also that kiss but it had been so brief, he probably forgot all about it. Just like she had.
Or so she tried to convince herself.