Page 7 of Falling For My Assistant

“Of course not,” he replied, releasing her from his grasp. He grabbed Erin’s hand and tugged her over. “This is my friend Erin.”

“It’s so wonderful to meet you,” Erin said, tamping down the crazy that rose at the sight of a celebrity.

“It’s lovely to meet you too. If you’re a friend of Sean’s, you’re a friend of mine,” she replied, hugging Erin.

Laurenza De Lucio is hugging me. OH MY GOD.

Laurenza released her and motioned for them to follow her.

“After you,” Sean said, ushering her into the store.

“Sean, you said you and your friend are attending a party tonight, is that right?” she asked, walking through the store to the registers in the back.

They followed her into the back of the store, surprised to see a large lounge area that led to a bank of elevators.

Laurenza pressed the button to ring the elevator, then turned to him.

“That’s right. I’ll need a tuxedo, and Erin will need one of your divine creations.”

“How exciting!” Laurenza replied, glancing at Erin for a moment. “Need to get that stuff off first, that way I can see what you look like underneath.”

Erin tucked her coat closer around herself, discomfort rising.

Something appeared in Laurenza’s eyes but disappeared when the elevator dinged its arrival.

Sean and Laurenza made small talk on the ride up, the short ride ending when the elevator doors opened to reveal her studio, the large space taking Erin’s breath away.

“It’s beautiful!” she whispered, stepping into the studio.

Large windows covered the space, fairy lights hung everywhere. The walls were covered with a light brick, the floors a light wood.

Mobile racks of clothes hung everywhere, mannequins dressed in her latest designs, some unfinished.

A small squeal emerged from Erin when she saw the suit, making a beeline for it.

Gently fingering the silk, she sighed. “So beautiful.”

“That is my number one best-selling item of all time,” Laurenza said.

“Well, with the jacket, and the lining, and the pockets, it’s an amazing creation,” Erin replied, holding the sides back to look at the lining. “It’s even more divine in person,” Erin said, releasing the silk.

“Come on,” Laurenza said, guiding Erin over to a large seating area, the oblong white couches placed facing a large, mirrored area.

“Let’s take these off,” she said, stripping off Erin’s coat, her hands stalling on the cardigan.

“Ready?” she asked.

Erin grabbed the edges of the cardigan and tugged it off, the oversized fabric joining her coat on the couch.

“There you are,” Laurenza whispered, setting her hands on Erin’s shoulders as they looked together in the mirror.

Erin fought the urge to cover her midsection with her arms, the urge going away when Laurenza slipped her hand into Erin’s.

“Come on, I have a few dresses already in mind for you to try, okay?” she said, leading her to the small dressing area.

She pulled the white curtain back, and Erin stepped inside.

“Be right back,” she said, tugging the curtain closed. It zipped back open again, and Laurenza asked, “Would you like to try something a little more fitted or a little looser? I’d like to put you in something that has a bit of a fit and flare too if you're up for it.”