Page 70 of Nanny and the Beast

She whistles when I slip into the dress she picked out for me.

"You look so hot right now," she says. "You're gonna give your man a heart attack."

"He's not my man," I whisper, smoothing my hands over the dress. It's surprisingly comfortable over my skin.

"High ponytail?" Olivia asks.

"High ponytail." Gigi nods, gathering my hair into a high ponytail before securing it. She pulls out some pieces to frame my face and slicks the rest of it back using a hair wax stick.

Ophelia disappears and returns with a small glass of water.

I take a grateful sip and instantly choke on it.

"What is this?" I ask, grimacing at the glass.

"It's diluted vodka," she says. "For the nerves."

"You could've warned me," I say.

"I was going to, but you—" She becomes quiet as I throw back the rest.

"And for the finishing touch," Gigi says, rubbing diamond dust eye shadow over my eyelids. It looks wet and shimmery on my skin, sparkling like water everywhere the light hits. Most of it will be hidden by the mask I'll be wearing, but it's still gorgeous.

"You're...a magician," I say to Gigi.

She grins. "I know."

Ophelia hands me another shot of vodka.

"For good luck," she says.

"I'm going to need all the luck I can get," I say, taking the second shot. The smooth burn makes my eyes sting.

There's a light buzz in my veins now. I honestly don't know if it's the alcohol or anxiety.

"You guys, what am I even doing?" I ask.

"Don't think too much about it," Ophelia says. "Just go with the flow."

"Easy for you to say. You're not about to give a lap dance to your boss," I say. "Also, how do I give a lap dance?"

"Honestly, I don't think you need to do anything except stand there," Olivia says. "He might get off just by looking at you in that dress."

"Whoareyou today?" I look at Olivia with wide eyes.

She winks at me.

When I first met her, she came off as shy and reserved. It's unexpected to see her mischievous side.

Ophelia grabs a long fur coat and helps me into it. I pull the lapels together just as Gigi shoves me toward the exit.

"Get it, girl," she says.

I find Mrs. Hendrick's assistant waiting outside the dressing room.

"Are you ready?" She smiles at me.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, pulling my mask back into place.

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