Page 26 of Illicit Education
I snorted. “Yeah,quite. He’s also arrogant and rude.”
She shrugged. “Eh. The hot ones usually are. One man can’t haveeverything; it wouldn’t be fair to the other menfolk. So the hot ones are usually gross on the inside, you know? Balance.” She stopped walking and pointed up ahead. “That’s where we’re going tonight.”
I followed her finger to a lingerie store on the other side of the street, frowning when there was no pub in sight. “I was hoping for some loaded potato skins and a beer or two…”
“We’ll eat.” Grabbing my shoulders, she turned me so I could see the pub directly across the street from the lingerie store. “But first, you need a job; I’m getting you a job.”
“There?” My eyes bulged as I looked back across the street at White Rabbit. It was well known as one of the fanciest lingerie stores in the city. And that was about the extent of my knowledge on the subject. “I don’t evenownexpensive lingerie, G.”
“Yet.” Greer pulled me forward, determined as ever to get her way. “Besides, that’s what employee discounts are for.”
Chapter Twelve
Rylan
We stopped on the curb outside the store and peered inside, my stomach aflutter with tiny butterfly wings. I’d never considered working someplace likethis, but the idea intrigued me.
The interior was well lit and decorated in things that mimicked the outdoors, but not in a rugged, camping sort of way. More like an ethereal, fairy wonderland way. From the fluffy clouds descending from the ceiling–much like those within the lobby of Reed Tower–to the grassy display shelves, the lingerie inside White Rabbit was showcased amid what almost looked like rolling green hills.
“Wow,” I whispered, “it looks magical.”
Greer beamed. “I know. It’s like La Perla…” She paused, tilting her head. “If La Perla had anAlice in Wonderlandfetish. Come on. Let’s go get you a job. My friend works here and said they’re hiring. It’s veryhush hush, apparently, only word of mouth.”
As soon as we stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by a fresh, sultry scent, as if perfume was pumped into the air the way oxygen was pumped into casinos in Atlantic City.
My eyes widened as I took it all in. The glimpse into the window I’d had from across the street was nothing compared to stepping inside White Rabbit. The retail shop was nearly as breathtaking as the items sold within its walls.
“You’ve really never been here?” Greer tilted her head.
I nearly laughed. “You’ve seen my wardrobe.”
“Yeah, but…” She looked over her shoulder toward the back of the store, then back at me. “I guess I just figured… with all the romance you read, you’d at least know of this place–”
“Hi, welcome to White Rabbit.”
I scanned the store until I located the cash register and the woman standing behind the counter who’d called out the greeting.
She waved and added, “Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“No, thank you, just looking.”
“Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“Actually,” Greer said, tugging me deeper into the store, “I was told you’re hiring?”
The woman’s smile widened. “We are. May I ask who referred you?”
“Lacey.”
The woman grinned, giving a curt nod. “So, it’s just part time, but…” She stepped out from behind the counter, running her hands over her very pregnant belly. “I’m not able to work the hours I used to work.” She laughed softly. “We need someone to take some of those off my hands. It would start with a few hours in the evenings, Monday through Friday, then, possibly, you could work on a more full-time basis when the baby comes. Do you have retail experience?” she asked Greer as we approached the register.
“No, it's not for me. I have a job.” She looked pointedly at me.
“Oh, sorry. My mistake. Doyouhave any retail experience?”
“No,” I admitted. “But I learn quickly.” How hard could it be?
“And she loves lingerie,” Greer lied.