Page 38 of Until He Confesses

I didn’t even know what clothes I had as my assistant Michael was in charge of ensuring that I had what I needed.

When I found myself in the midst of handbags and sunglasses that were in my opinion overpriced, I truly felt out of place and almost irritated.

“Anything I can help you with, sir?” a gorgeous sales attendant came over.

What I had hoped would happen was that I would walk in and find Anna since this was where my secretary informed me she currently worked part-time, however, she was nowhere to be found.

It took a few minutes of contemplation as I tried to decide whether it would be best to come another time or just make my request.

I looked at my watch and since I had to return to the office for a late conference meeting, I made my choice.

“Where’s Anna Leewens?” I asked, and the woman seemed surprised.

She looked behind at her other colleagues and then she smiled at me again.

“Um, she just stepped out, but she’ll be back soon. Do you have any message you’d like to leave for her?”

“How soon will she be back?” I asked as I headed over to one of the sofas in the store. I took a seat, and she came over.

“Do you want me to call her? I’m certain she’s somewhere on the premises.”

“Sure,” I replied, and the call was placed.

I spent the time checking emails and to my surprise less than five minutes later she arrived.

She had a smile on her face as she usually did, but whether it was out of surprise or amusement I truly couldn’t tell.

“Lucas?” she called but then she seemed to recall the presence of the other staff and decided it was inappropriate to be too familiar.

“Hello, sir?” she said with a look on her face that expressed that her term of address for me was a bit disconcerting to her.

Smiling, I rose to my feet to shake the hand she had offered, and then she gave me a suspicious look.

“Can we talk?” I asked and she smiled again, well aware of what this was about.

I just came from a break, so it’ll be a bit inappropriate to go out again. We can speak here if you’d like but it can only be brief.”

“I’ll buy a couple of things,” I said as I brought out my credit card. “There’s a commission percentage for you, right? Pick up whatever you need for about fifty thousand."

She stopped and stared wide-eyed at me. And then she grew amused.

“Oh lord. What’s happening between you two?’

She came over to sit by my side and I did the same.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, first you give her a million dollars which she returns foolishly. I mean wonderfully, and then you’re here splurging on me just to find out information.”

I smiled again, but it didn’t reach my eyes because I was frustrated, which was an emotion that I’d never thought I’d have toward Callie.

“I knew the money wouldn’t faze her. It was just something to help her take her guard down.”

“Exactly!” she exclaimed but was forced to lower her voice at the attention it brought us.

I shook my head at her unchanging and ever-bubbly personality.

“That’s exactly what I told her.”