Page 21 of Under Ground

I cradle my head in my hands. “I’m so glad I have you, because I have no idea.”

She chuckles. “I figured. I’ve never known you to go out with anyone.”

“I’m not one to date. It’s tough when you have a three-year-old. I barely get much time to myself, let alone spending time with someone else.”

Placing the clothes on my desk, she holds up her palms. “Well, then I’ll just have to be your fairy godmother.” She picks up a silver sparkly top. “Let’s start with this one.”

* * *

About halfway through the pile of clothes, I try on a dress.

It’s made from a black stretchy fabric and has long sleeves—perfect for the winter weather—and it has a scooped neck which doesn’t reveal too much. It comes down to about halfway down my thighs. A pair of black stockings on underneath should complete the look and keep me warm. The bathroom mirror isn’t the best, but I like this.

And Anna’s mouth falls open when I walk back into the office.

“That. Is. It,” she says. “You look amazing.”

“Really? I thought it was practical.”

“You’ll knock him dead in that.”

The front door opens, and Anna and I exchange a wide-eyed glance as Gareth and Melanie walk in.

Gareth comes to a halt, his eyebrows rising as he looks at me.

“We didn’t think you’d be back today,” Anna says.

“So I gather.” He looks around the office. Anna gathers the clothing on my desk up and starts shoving it in bags.

“Oh, leave them alone, Gareth.” Melanie breezes past him. “Lana, you look lovely. Is that a new dress?”

“Just something I’m borrowing from Anna.”

Anna beams. “Lana has a date with Alex Stone.”

Melanie’s eyes crinkle at the corners, and I’m pretty sure she has no idea who Anna’s talking about. Which is a relief, in more ways than one.

“He’s an actor. Anna’s a fan,” I say.

Melanie claps her hands. “Sounds exciting. Well, that dress looks so good on you.”

I smooth the dress down my thighs. “Thank you.”

“Doesn’t she look amazing, Gareth?” Melanie clings to his arm, and my shoulders tense. This stopped being so awkward a long time ago when we made our agreement to only have a professional relationship.

“You look fantastic, Lana.” Gareth’s gaze runs down the length of my body, and my skin prickles in discomfort.

“I appreciate all the kind words. I’ll just go and get changed, and we’ll get back to work.”

“That’s it, Lana. That’s the dress,” Anna calls as I make my way into the bathroom, my cheeks burning.

As if I needed that to happen.

It’s a relief when it’s time to go home, and even more of one when Casey and I finally walk in the door to our small brick flat.

I reach into my bag and pull the dress out of it before dumping it on the couch. Shaking it, I smile.

“You got some new clothes, Mummy?” Casey stares with wide eyes. I live in jeans when I’m not wearing a skirt and shirt for work. This goes to show just how novel me wearing a dress will be.

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