Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(23)

When that was done, she pulled up a stool and sat, then opened more drawers. She swept dark shadow along the creases of Lauren’s eyelids, then added blush on her cheeks.

“No lip gloss,” she said gently. “You’ll get it on my dresses and then I’ll have to kill you.”

Lauren managed a shaky smile. “That might solve my problems.”

“You won’t say that when I’m done with you, young lady. Now come on. I’m going to show you a Vera Wang dress that is going to leave you breathless.”

Hope filled Lauren’s brown eyes. “You promise?”

“Yes. I promise. I’m very good at what I do and I refuse to let you ruin my record. Because this isn’t about you—it’s about me.”

This time the smile was more genuine. “Thank you,” Lauren whispered.

“You’re welcome.” Isabel squeezed her hand and started to stand. As she did, she saw movement in the mirror and realized Ford was standing in the doorway to the dressing area.

She ignored the sudden tightness in her chest and the way she felt lighter inside. As if some bubble of happiness gave her a little lift. She also ignored the broadness of his shoulders and the way his worn jeans hugged his hips and thighs.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. “There’s too much estrogen in the air. If you hang out back here, you’ll grow br**sts.”

He gave her a slow, sexy grin. “I’ll risk it.”

Lauren looked at him in the mirror. “Wow,” she whispered.

“I know,” Isabel told her. “Now let’s go find you a dress.”

She picked out three simple gowns made of gorgeous fabric with just enough detailing to make them elegant. Lauren looked doubtful but agreed to try them on and went back into the dressing room.

“Why are you here?” Isabel asked again, walking up to Ford. “Do not tell me it’s about the fake-girlfriend thing because there are sharp objects in this store and I’m not afraid to use them.”

He studied her. “You were great with her. The bride. I saw how you calmed her down.”

“Thanks. I learned from a master. My grandmother believed a beautiful bride was a happy bride.”

He glanced around. “You sell a lot of stuff.”

“It takes a village. And accessories. So what’s up?”

“I need you to be my fake girlfriend. Hear me out,” he added when she started to protest. “Two of my sisters came to see me today.”

“And that is my problem how?”

“They’re my sisters. They’re relentless. They started going on about how Mom just wants me to be happy and that I had to go out with some of the women who had applied.” His expression turned helpless. “What was I supposed to do?”

“Grow a pair and tell them no?”

“They’re family.”

A simple statement she completely understood. Family made life complicated.

“I said it was you,” he told her.

“What?”

“I told Dakota and Montana I was dating you.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Honestly, what was she supposed to say to that?

“Listen,” he said, taking her hands in his. “I’m desperate. I’ll do anything. Wash your car, paint your house. I’ll give you money. Please. Just for a few weeks. Long enough to get my mom off my back.”

She wasn’t sure why she resisted. What did she care if people thought she and Ford were together? He was nice to look at and fun to be around. She supposed the problem was that she felt funny when she was close to him. Both intrigued and afraid. He was a sexual being and she...wasn’t.

Her friends had urged her to indulge in a transitional relationship. Fake-dating Ford would certainly be that.

“What do you think?”

The soft question didn’t come from Ford. Isabel turned and saw Lauren approaching.

The V-neck dress was perfect. The simple lines skimmed over her curves, making her look voluptuous. The sheen on the fabric added a glow to her pale skin.

Isabel pulled free of Ford’s hold and walked to the veils hanging along the wall. She selected one with a simple circle of flowers and set it on Lauren’s head, then helped her up to the raised platform in front of the array of mirrors.

Lauren stared at herself, her expression disbelieving. “I love it.”

Ford disappeared for a second, then returned with the teen sister in tow. The girl blinked.

“You look great,” she said, her voice filled with surprise. “I like the dress a lot.”

“Sexy bride,” Ford added.

Lauren flushed. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “Isabel, you were right. This one is perfect.”

“You need to try the others on, just to be sure,” Isabel told her. “You’re making a big decision.”

“I’ll help,” the teen said, tucking her phone into her pocket. “Come on, Lauren. Show me what else you have back there.”

They disappeared toward the dressing rooms.

Ford turned to her. “You really are good at this. Are you sure you don’t want to buy Paper Moon and settle here?”

“Bite your tongue.”

“Will that get you to say yes?”