Crash Into Me(27)

"Miss, do you prefer a check or the money deposited into your account?"

"I think the deposit would work since I assume I'm going to be paid that way. Just give me the papers to fill out," I said with a smile.

"No need, miss." And with that, Rogers turned and walked away. No need? How was the money to be deposited if I didn't give my account number? Before I could ask the very same question that was in my mind, the butler was gone. Unsure of what to do, I opened the note and read more from Tristan.

Dear Nina,

I'm happy you chose to accept my offer and look forward to your involvement in Stone Worldwide for the upcoming six months. You're going to need a new wardrobe for your new position, so please allow my driver to take you to Le Ciel. I have spoken to Sheila about your resignation and she's happy to hear you've found another position. I believe she's going to miss you.




Always,

Tristan

I began to think this might be all right and wandered out the front door to find Tristan's driver standing next to a Town Car. He wore a driver's uniform and appeared as stoic as the butler. I approached him and extended my hand. "Hi, I'm Nina. I guess you're supposed to take me to Le Ciel. Where is that?"

He opened the door, bowed slightly, and replied, "Yes, miss. We'll be in Midtown shortly."



An hour later, I was standing inside a Midtown Manhattan boutique and feeling like Tristan in The Last Drop. The only difference was no one at my local bar had looked at him like he was an outsider when he walked in.

Two women walked toward me as I stood in the dress I'd been wearing for far too long, and I so wished I'd changed clothes before going shopping. Feeling self conscious, I avoided meeting their gazes, instead looking out the window at the activity on the sidewalk.

"You must be Nina," the blonder one announced. "Mr. Stone told us to expect you. We have everything picked out and if you follow me, I'll take you to a dressing room."

I did as she asked and found myself in a dressing room almost as big as my entire apartment. A dozen different dresses, outfits, and business suits hung around the room. I looked at the price tag on one of the dresses and my mouth fell open.

My portion of the rent on my apartment was only slightly more. I couldn't afford these clothes.

Immediately, I opened the door and stuck my head out to find the blonde who'd escorted me to the room. She stood with her back to me hanging clothes on satin covered hangers, and I said, "Excuse me. Miss?"

She turned around and flashed me a toothy smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"

I was embarrassed to say I was too poor to afford anything in her store, so I whispered, "I think there's been a mistake. Mr. Stone didn't mention how..." I hesitated and stumbled over my words until I finally blurted out, "He never said they'd be of such high quality."

Thankfully, she seemed to understand what I had so clumsily referred to because she gave me one of her supermodel smiles and nodded. "Oh, that's been taken care of, miss. Mr. Stone will be paying for everything."

She returned to her work, leaving me alone in the dressing room that could house a small family, my head spinning from what she'd said. Not only was I now employed as an assistant curator for Tristan Stone, but now he was buying me an entire wardrobe so I could be ready for my first day at work?

It all seemed too good to be true.

I tried on one outfit and then the next, impressed that the women who worked at Le Ciel knew my size just minutes after I walked through the door. I hadn't stood there for that long, yet the clothes fit me perfectly.