her birthday. I smile back. “You’re welcome, Claudette. I don’t say this lightly when I tell you that you hold this place together.”
She beams at me and holds her wrist up. “How beautiful is it?”
I look to see the thick silver bracelet dangling from her slender wrist. She’s a smart woman with a trim figure, and she clearly looks after herself. Her clothes are always nice when she changes out of the apron she wears to serve the teas and coffees.
“It looks great,” I say. “I’m glad you like it. How is your son doing? Is he finished at university yet?”
Her son is studying engineering. I remember the pertinent facts about all my employees.
“He finishes this year, and he’s heading for a first-class degree. I couldn’t be prouder.”
“Give him my regards, won’t you?”
“I will, and thank you again. One day I’ll bring the bag into work too, show it off, but I keep it for best. It’s so awfully generous of you.”
I smile at her and shake my head. “As I said before, Claudette, you help keep this place running. So the thanks goes to you.”
“Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. Silvanov.”
“Thanks, I will.”
I leave the office and head to my car. On the way there, I see a GAP store, and on a whim I go inside. Cassie’s words about me buying her fancy clothes when she prefers plain cotton and jeans come to me. I go up to a sales assistant. “Can you help me?” I ask.
She looks at me and nods. “Of course, what is it you’re looking for?”
“I want to buy some clothes for my … girlfriend. She’s a size ten but she likes stuff a bit baggy. I want to get her a capsule wardrobe. Some t-shirts. Couple of sweaters. A few pairs of jeans. Some sneakers, oh, and underwear, plain stuff.”
She gives me a considered look for a moment then laughs. “Went to Victoria’s Secret only to be told it’s not the right thing?”
“Yeah, if by Victoria’s Secret you mean Agent Provocateur, Dior, and Gucci.”
“Damn, you bought her Gucci and she’s not happy? So now you’re buying her a whole new wardrobe? Must be love.”
“Can you put me a mini capsule wardrobe together for her?” I ask, ignoring her idiotic words about me being in love.
“Sure. Summer, yeah?”
“Yes, and if you’ve got a summer style dress or two throw them in as well. Something suitable for Paris.”
“You got it.” She bustles off, saying under her breath, “The best ones are always taken.”
Thirty minutes later, and I have what seems to be an entire wardrobe for less than one of my suits. I haul it all to the car, throw the bags in the boot, and drive home.
Chapter Eleven
Cassie
I’m still pissed at Konstantin by the time he arrives home. He walked away from me at the hospital without a kiss, without even a glance. So rude. He’s such an arrogant wanker sometimes.
There’s a knock on my bedroom door, and I know it’s him because I saw his car pull up from the bedroom window; who else would it be anyway?
I sigh, but I want to see my flat and get my things, so I go to the door despite wanting to ignore him. I throw it open and scowl at him.
He looks oddly unsure, not his usual confident self. “I, erm,” he begins. “Well, erm, what you said about me not buying you things you liked? I went to Gap and bought you these.” He holds three bags stuffed full in the air and indicates the bed. “May I?”
My simmering bad mood dials down a notch as I nod at him. He comes into the room. “I asked a sales assistant for help and told her to get you things you’ll be more comfortable in, including underwear. I told her to pick a couple dresses for Paris too. So take what you want; anything you don’t want I’ll take back. The receipts are in the bag. When you’ve decided what you want, pack it up, but you might wish to take one smart outfit from the things I bought you before, for if we go to dinner.”
“Dinner?” I say.
“Yes, with Damen and his wife, Maya. You’ll get on, I’m sure.”
“Why, is she like me?”
He laughs. “No, she’s very glamorous.”
Ouch. That hurt. He must see it in my expression because he sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. “Shit, I didn’t mean it that way. I am so bad at this, Cassie. She’s glamorous,