As soon as I find the doll this afternoon, I’ll cheer her up by texting her that I’ve finished everything on her list. Not bad for my first day.
I’m smiling and humming to myself as I head to the café. “I’ve totally got this in the bag,” I say to myself.
I should learn not to tempt fate like that.
Chapter Nine
Winona
The employees have a café’ in the basement, safely tucked away from the fancy folk who shop at Hudson’s. My fridge was completely bare this morning, and I haven’t had time to shop, so I’m going to treat myself to a coffee and their cheapest pastry for lunch.
“Winona? Is that you?” Ariel’s light, sweet voice floats in my direction. “I can’t believe that happened to Thérèse!”
I peer around and see her making her way towards me through the lunchtime crowd.
“Heck of a first day, huh?” she says wryly when she reaches me. “One of the other senior shoppers will start your training tomorrow. Other than this morning’s catastrophe, how’s your day going?”
“Surprisingly well, actually.” I smile with genuine satisfaction. I feel more confident about the future than I have in ages. “I really think I’m going to be good at this. I mean, shopping and helping people? It’s like the equivalent of calorie-free chocolate mousse. There’s absolutely no downside.”
Maybe I’ve finally found my thing. I’ve been kind of floating around for years, if I’m being honest with myself, trying to figure out where I fit. Clothes are my jam, and I’ve got an instinctive eye for design, but finding a place for myself in the fashion industry has eluded me for so long, I was starting to wonder if it was really where I was meant to be.
“Ooh, you’ll have to tell me all about it!” Then her eyes widen in alarm. “Some other time.”
I twist around to see what she’s looking at. To my surprise, Blake is striding through the door, with Henry at his heels.
My heart gives the same little flutter it always does when he’s near, but my brain knows better. I look away quickly.
“Why is he here?” Ariel whimpers. “He never comes here.”
“Don’t look it in the eye,” I advise Ariel in a low voice. “That’s how it steals your soul.”
She lets out an hysterical little giggle. Then she backs away. “I just remembered I have half a yogurt in the fridge upstairs. From last week. Or the week before. Did I ever tell you I talk too much when I’m nervous? I get nervous a lot, too. Yes, I did already tell you that, I remember now. Oh God, he’s headed this way. I’m going to run for my life now. Save yourself! Women and children first!” And she dashes off without looking back.
Blake and Henry make their way through the crowd and slide into line right behind me.
“Oh, go ahead and cut in line.” I smile with just the slightest hint of mockery – as much as I think I can get away with. “You know you want to.”
I make a big point of stepping out of the way and gesturing at my place in line with a big, dramatic flourish. Blake sighs impatiently, and he and Henry move in front of me.
The employees behind the counter snap to attention like soldiers about to endure a general’s inspection. Conversation around us dies down and everyone glances at each other nervously.
“Mingling with the common folk? I thought you’d be upstairs dining on filet de employee.”
He answers me with a smile that holds a hint of menace. “I like to visit every department in the store on a regular basis. Quality control. You never know where I’ll turn up.”
“Great.” I shudder with dramatic emphasis. “Now I’m picturing you popping out from behind racks of clothes or leaping out of bathroom stalls.”
He arches one perfect brow. “Guilty conscience? Something to hide?”
I snort indelicately. “Yes, sir, I’m a repository of dark secrets.” I turn and wait as the line moves towards the counter. I’m not going to let him ruin my day. I am great at my job, and he’s going to be eating his words soon enough.
“You look awfully smug,” he observes.
Ha. I earned my smug-face. “Well, I survived my first day working for a megalomaniac.”
“The day is young. A megalomaniac? What happened to Dove-Gray-Dickweasel?”
“I’d never use such language in a place like Hudson’s.” I give him an innocent eye-blink.
“How very professional of you.” He places his order