Page 7 of If The Shoe Fits

Helene

Helene's life might be a complete and utter disaster, but it certainly didn't look like it right now. The full-length mirror in her sister's guest bedroom reflected the image of a poised brunette wrapped in an overpriced royal blue dress that pooled at her ankles. The slit on her left leg revealed a peek of the most expensive pair of shoes she'd ever been perched on. She was lucky to be Cassie's size. Her sister's makeup artist had cut an inch or two of Helene's hair, removing the singed bits and managing to give her hair a bit of bounce. She was homeless, and she'd never looked better.

She fussed with the slit, attempting to hide her leg a little more.

"This dress was made for you. You should keep it!" Cassie walked in with a neatly wrapped present. "This was for your birthday. You can have it a few weeks early."

Helene tried not to groan, and failed. "I hate being a charity case."

She'd had a shitty week, with all the stress that came with house hunting on a small budget in New York City on top of her usual workload. Finally, she'd come to the conclusion that accepting her sister's help for a little while longer was her only realistic option. If she stayed here for a month or two, she could save up enough cash for a decent deposit. She'd only relented because she could tell, after just a week, that she truly wasn't a bother. Her room was on a different side of the house than Cassie and Carter's. She didn't even hear them use the shower. Or, God forbid, do something a little more intimate.

Cassie spent a fair amount of time at home, as she worked in her office on the upper floor, but most evenings, by the time Helene came back from work, the couple had social engagements. The only time they saw each other was at breakfast, after which Carter made a point of dropping Helene off on his way to work.

She'd accepted the help. That didn't mean she liked it.

"You're not a charity case. You're my sister. Now, open!"

She tossed her the small box. Helene pouted, but she did as she was told. "Fine, but that means no present on my actual birthday," she insisted.

Cassie made a noncommittal sound that clearly meant she'd ignore it.

Inside the neatly wrapped package, there was a boxed perfume. Helene grinned at her sister.

"I know you wear that other one—the one that often goes on sale—every day, but you prefer this one, right?" Could Cassie be any more perfect?

"Miss Dior is my favorite." Cassie was right: Helene used a cheaper brand every day, and saved this one for special occasions. She'd run out mouths ago. "Thank you."

She would have felt strange wearing this gorgeous dress worth more than her yearly salary without smelling right. Helene unwrapped the pink and white box, and applied the perfume to her wrists and lower back. She inhaled deep, and found some of her nervousness dissipating. The sweet, floral scent had always managed to make her feel confident and sophisticated.

"So, what's this party for again?"

"It's a benefit," Cassie corrected. "A lot of people lost their jobs last year, and given the financial climate, Carter thinks things aren't going to get any better for them. Carter thought it was time to get some of his acquaintances to lighten their wallets. The money will be going directly to families who were affected by the layoffs in the city."

That sounded like a worthy cause. "Well, my wallet doesn't have much in it. I should go to a friend's tonight, get out of your hair."

"No way!" Cassie opened her big, bright blue puppy dog eyes wide. "Don't leave me alone with the vultures! There always are tons of older women who are downright nasty at these things. You can protect me."

Helene didn't believe a word of it. "If anyone was nasty to you, Carter would kick their ass and ban them from setting foot in the city ever again."

Cassie laughed. "Fair point. But it's a different kind of nasty. You know, backhanded compliments, that sort of thing. Normally, Lucy Johnson keeps them in line, but she can't come tonight. Please, stay."

How could she refuse? "Fine." She was the big sister. Getting in the face of anyone who dared bully Cassie was her job.

"And you could auction a dance. I bet the old geezers would spend a fortune to waltz with you." Cassie's eyes were bright with mischief.

"You guys actually do that? I thought it only happened in movies."

"Whatever makes them feel good about dropping a six-figure check."Cassie shrugged. "I'll auction one, too."

"And let me guess: Carter will outbid everyone."

Her sister's smile said it all.

"Sure, sign me up," Helene said.

Cassie's eyes widened again. She visibly hadn't expected a favorable answer—at least not yet. "Really?"

"It's just a dance." Helene owed Cassie, big time. If she could do anything to help her out, she would. "If they try to cop a feel, I'll kick them in the balls, though."

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