Page 12 of Beautiful Cruelty

"Just trying to figure out what to write." My voice sounds higher than I'd like, and I'm almost embarrassed to look Megan in the eyes.

And suddenly, all I can think about is Vadim. With a few hours separating me from finding out that he was buying Mrs. Klossner’s dry cleaner and fueled by cupcakes, my mind starts wandering about what liesunderneaththat impeccable suit of his. Iamstill excited about the possibility of seeing him again. His storm-gray eyes. His broad shoulders.

"Lacey, I can see you biting your lip." Megan tilts her head at me, smirking. “You only bite your lip when you’re nervous.”

She's right. Iamnervous. Over a text message!

A text message to an incredibly wealthy, intimidatingly attractive man who probably thinks I'm insane.

No pressure.

"You know what? I'll just give it back to him tomorrow at the event." I lock my phone screen decisively. "He'll be there anyway."

"Are you kidding me?" Megan throws her hands up in the air in disappointment. "You're really going to pass up this opportunity?"

"It's not an opportunity. It's a dry-cleaning mix-up." I carefully fold the suit back into its plastic cover. "And I'm exhausted."

"Fine." Megan sighs dramatically but doesn't push further. "But if you don't have your catering uniform, then you should wear that red dress tomorrow. The one that makes your ass look amazing."

"I'mworkingthe event, not attending it." I gather my things, ready to head home. "I'll pick up some black pants and white button-down from Kohl's in the morning. "

"Boring." She shakes her head. "But suit yourself."

"I'm going to bed. It's been a long day."

"Mmkay," Megan says. "Don't stay up too late fantasizing..."

"Megan!"

"Hey, I'm just saying." She wiggles her eyebrows. "Those fingers of yours might need some exercise. Especially after the day you've had and with the spank bank at your disposal."

"And on that note, Meg." I feel my cheeks burning as I head upstairs to my old room. "Good night.”

"Sweet dreams!" She calls after me. "And maybe a few dirty ones too!"

I shake my head, but can't help smiling as I walk into my old room, hang up Vadim's dry cleaning, and close the door.

Stravinsky.

Maybe Megan's right. Maybe Ishouldtext him. Who knows, maybe he'll help find a job in fashion, doing what Iactuallywant to do.

And if nothing else, rebound sex with the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met might make me feel desirable again.

I wish I knew more about him.

What was it that Mrs. Klossner said?

There was a piece of paper in your pocket. I saved it for you.

I reach into the inside breast pocket and pull out the piece of carefully folded paper. I open it, hoping to see a business letterhead, but instead, it’s a price list of several items from other high-end boutiques. Nothing but a short item description followed by insane prices.

They look like typos with all those zeroes.

I scoff at the million-dollar items crossed off the list. He must be drowning in money if he’s snatching up other people’s businesses as fast as he can write a check.

Curious, I pull out my phone and start typing in the names. Each one leads to a dead end of a discontinued line of products—and every one of them was sold only once.

Not a single search offers up any additional explanation forwhythe businesses are being sold.

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