Page 15

Huffing out a breath, she nodded in answer.
Keeping my eyes on Esme, I said, “Please show the lady the cheapest diamond necklace in your collection.”
“Certainly, sir.”
He kept his face blank despite his confusion. I’m sure he’d never, in all of his illustrious career, had a patron demand a cheaper item. For that matter, neither had I. Carefully locking away the necklace that had so upset Esme, he went to the other end of the long counter, retrieved a tray with his white-gloved hands and brought it for Esme to inspect. It was a simple platinum chain with a small, heart shaped diamond on the end.
She reached out to touch it with a cautious finger. “It’s very pretty.”
With the overwhelming desire to see Esme in diamonds that I’d bought her, I didn’t want to risk her changing her mind, or refusing, so I said, “Box that up, thank you, Richard.” She wouldn’t quite be dripping in ropes of glittering stones, so I’d have to settle for just the one. I’d certainly never tell her it cost thirteen thousand dollars.
CHAPTER8
Esme
Ijust didn’t know what to think. How to feel. It was all too much. “Whatever you have planned next, I don’t think I can handle it.”
“Buck up. It’s a little spa treatment, nothing too dramatic.”
“I don’t believe a word of it.”
“But doesn’t a spa treatment sound great?”
I sighed. He had me there. Once, a few years back, I’d saved up and taken Ariel to a beauty parlor. We’d had our nails done and some sort of gunk put on our faces. It had felt so decadent at the time. I’d had no idea what decadence was, obviously. “Yes, it does.”
“Here you are, then.”
I looked through the window. More luxurious surroundings that made my eyes bug out. Marble tiles, gold edged basins, plush furnishings.
“Everything’s already booked and paid for, so just go along with it. I’ll be back in a few hours to pick you up.”
“You aren’t staying?” I felt a little frantic at the idea of going in there by myself. Afraid I’d stick out like a pimple on prom night.
With a wide grin, Wolfe ran his fingers down his face. “Nah. Why mess with perfection?”
That made me giggle and feel slightly easier. With his warm hands on my upper arms, Wolfe leaned in, pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, smiling down at me when he pulled away. It was such a small gesture and actually quite sweet, but it had heat curling in my core just the same. “See you soon.”
Drawing in a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and stepped inside. Before I had time to second guess the whole thing, a stunning brunette stepped forward and introduced herself. Her name was Rebecca, and she guided me down a dimly lit corridor to a darkened room. She spoke in hushed tones as she explained what was going to happen. Honestly, I didn’t understand half of it. First, a relaxing spa bath. Never had one of those before. A massage came next. How lush. A seaweed wrap. What the fuck? Body polish. Double what the fuck. Facial. Manicure. Pedicure. Okay, so I thought I knew how those worked, at least. Everything was elegant, quiet and amazing.
The spa and massage were phenomenal, and I definitely fell asleep during the wrap. How could I not? Some sort of goop all over my body, wrapped in a cozy warm blanket and put to bed in a dark room for an hour. I could only hope I didn’t snore. I felt like a fucking queen during the mani/pedi and facial. At one point, there were three women working on me, one for my face, one for my hands, one for my feet.
On top of all the nurturing perfection, everyone I came across wished me a happy birthday, smiling and asking about my day. Obviously, I didn’t say anything about my water works in the square this morning, just skipped to Wolfe taking me shopping and then out to dinner somewhere. They oooed and aaahd, one of them commenting on how hot he was. Another on how lucky I was. I smiled, knowing it was true. I was so very, very lucky. And determined to make the absolute most of tonight, to squeeze every drop of wonder I could from it.
I’d totally lost track of time, existing in some sort of bliss bubble where I was the center of everything and so, so special. Sigh. Rebecca came over just as my facial was done.
“Mr. Rivers has called to advise that he’s running a little late, and he’d like us to help you get ready. He’s sent your dress and shoes over, so if you’d just like to come over to the mirror, we can make a start on your hair and make-up.”
“Oh, okay.”
I think the most time I’d ever spent on my hair and make-up was fifteen minutes, max. And that included blow drying. This entire process took two hours! I asked the beautician why it took so long, and she explained all about layering, and contouring, and something called strobing. Apparently, she was also building a smoky eye for a stunning nighttime look.
After my hair was washed, dried and styled, I was led out the back again, to a changing room. The starry blue dress was already there, on a hanger, the silver strappy heels placed neatly underneath it. I put it all on, loving the feel of the soft fabric skimming over my skin, and the glitter of the heels with my pedicure. There was no mirror in here, so I wasn’t sure how the whole look worked out, or if I was pulling it off.
Slipping my phone into my little silver clutch purse, I stepped out of the changing room, carefully trying to keep my balance in the three-inch heels. Barbara had taken one look at me trying to walk in four-inch stilettos and advised on a wider, slightly shorter heel and thank fuck for that. Otherwise, the night would end with me in the hospital with a broken ankle. Or two.
I tottered down the hallway and just as I reached the end, I heard Rebecca say, “Quick, here she comes.”
My heart thudded with nerves as I stepped into the front room. Someone let out a gasp, someone else said, “Oh, so gorgeous. Stunning.” And everyone clapped. Quiet, classy claps, mind you, but claps just the same.