Marrying My Billionaire Hookup - Nadia Lee Page 0,118

she can hang out with.

“I moved here not too long ago,” she explains, but her tone says she’s a little bit embarrassed about her lack of friends.

“Okay.” This is like pulling teeth. “What did you wear when you went out with friends before you moved?”

“Um…I don’t know. Kind of like what I’m wearing now?”

Oh dear. Clean-cut. No personality. Bland business casual. That is so not what people need to see, especially when David said “home and hearth.” Besides, he and I agreed on sleek sophistication as well.

When I don’t say anything, she adds, “I just want to look normal and neat. Stable.”

Huh. That’s an unusual combination of adjectives for a pretty young woman to apply to herself, but whatever. Maybe Erin’s just too shy to experiment.

“I don’t want to shock Mrs. Darling,” she adds.

“Mrs. Darling…?”

“David’s mother. She’s coming soon. And David and I want to look nice for her. I mean, we both want me to look nice. I’m even going to bring cookies, since I heard she likes them,” she says, then stops abruptly, flushing.

“That’s fine,” I say. “Uh…baked goods are fantastic icebreakers.” Now she’s making me feel awkward.

Regardless of what Erin wants—normal, neat and stable with a plate of cookies—I have my orders. David’s the one who’s ultimately paying me, so it’s my job to figure out a tastefully expensive look that can enhance her good-girl appearance and make men think of marriage and babies, although I wonder why he needs that in an assistant. If he needs a date to a function and doesn’t have a woman he can ask, he can just dress her pretty. It’s not difficult, and it’s easier and cheaper that hiring me.

On the other hand, it’s not my job to be curious…and Erin and I aren’t close enough to gossip and chat. So I’m going to take her to my favorite boutiques. Time to play Fairy Godmother and turn this drab girl into a princess that every prince wants to marry.

Chapter Forty-Four

Jo

Three hours later, Erin and I are back in the Sweet Darlings lobby. She was reluctant to pick out anything, especially when she realized nothing had price tags. But after a couple of complimentary mimosas—which I had to cajole her into drinking—she was much more agreeable.

“Thank you,” she says. “By the way, do I look like I’ve been drinking?” She puts her hands over her cheeks. “My face feels a little warm.”

Her cheeks are still slightly pink, but I’m not going to tell her. Not when I know it’ll just make her nervous. She must be suffering from some kind of anxiety disorder that makes her tense up every time she thinks she’s being bad. I’m tempted to introduce her to Yuna. If anybody can loosen Erin up, it’s a crazy, over-the-top Korean heiress.

“Nah, you’re fine. And you’ll look even better once you put on the clothes we got.”

“Oh.” She flushes. “Well… Thank you.”

“No problem. I’ll see you later, okay?”

She stops. “You will? We’re going shopping again?”

I almost laugh. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen that shocked look from some of my…less enthusiastic clients. Or the ones dressing really well for the first time in their lives. “We might need to, depending on what other looks your boss wants you to pull off.”

She starts nibbling her lower lip. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Of course it is. Come on, nobody hates free clothes and shoes.”

She looks like she’s about to faint. I wink at her, then turn around to leave.

I probably shouldn’t tease Erin, but it’s so easy. I wonder if she’s from a small town. That might explain her unease. A previous client, Evie Parker, was like that, and she was an assistant dressing up for her boss, too. Evie got lucky and ended up marrying one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

Maybe I should introduce Erin to Evie. That way, Erin can get some pointers. David is definitely a highly sought prize, according to the gossip sites.

I check the time. Manny’s Tacos isn’t too far. Maybe I’ll stop by and grab some enchiladas to go. Say hi to Tío Manny and Tía Bea if they’re working today.

As I walk toward the elevator to the garage, I see a blonde woman stand up from a bench. Something about her seems familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Maybe I saw her at a party…? Or an event hosted by one of my clients…

Regardless, I slow down to admire her perfect French twist and blue Ralph