Virtuous(75)

“It’s perfect, thank you.”

“No problem. So about this office… Total disaster, right?”

“It is kind of a mess.”

“He says he has a system and I’m not to touch a single speck of dust in here.” She shrugs. “If there’s a systemVirtuousAmazon I’ve yet to discover it.”

“Where is he?”

“He went for a run. He’ll be back in an hour or so.”

I’m surprised he left without telling me and that Addie is here earlier than expected, but I certainly don’t share those thoughts with his assistant. “How did you two meet?”

Leaning against the doorframe and holding her own mug, she says, “He didn’t tell you? Huh, well, my mom died when I was twelve, leaving me with a dad who had no idea what to do with me. He’s a cameraman and has done a lot of work for Quantum, Flynn’s production company. Flynn’s friend Marlowe Sloane took an interest in me, took me shopping for prom gowns and was like my fairy godmother.”

She takes a deep breath and continues. “When I graduated from UCLA and couldn’t find a job to save my life, she suggested Flynn hire me to run his. I’ve been with him five years now, and it’s the coolest job ever. I never know what’s going to happen on a given day. Like when he called me to tell me he’s bringing a date to the Globes who needed a stylist to get her decked out. So I put the word out that Flynn is bringing a date who needs a stylist, and I’ve had every stylist in Hollywood—and every designer in the universe—kissing my ass all week. See what I mean? I love my job!”

She’s so adorable and delightful that I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. She’s several years older than I am, but I feel like the adult here for whatever reason. There’s a lightness about her that’s infectious. I find myself lightening up and getting excited about the stylists.

“Sooooo, you want to see some dresses?”

“Now?”

“Right now.”

“Yes!”

“Right this way.”

I follow her to Flynn’s living room, which has been converted into a dress boutique while I was sleeping. I bring my hands to my mouth to muffle the gasp of delight at the sight of gowns in every color imaginable hanging on racks that have been artfully arranged throughout the room.

I’m so overwhelmed, I have no idea where to begin.

“Don’t stress out. Tenley is on her way. She’s the best stylist in Hollywood, and Flynn told me to get only the best for you.”

Hearing that makes me smile, even though I’m slightly annoyed that he left me alone with people I don’t know on our first morning in LA. I try not to let it ruin my delight in the dresses, but it nags at me anyway.

The doorbell rings, and Addie goes to answer it while I tie the robe tighter around my waist. If I’d known this was happening first thing, I would’ve gotten up earlier and gotten dressed.

Addie returns with a tall woman with long dark hair and sharp dark eyes that immediately zero in on me. She’s wearing super-skinny jeans with sky-high heels and a blue blazer over a formfitting tank. She carries a huge leather purse that might be Louis Vuitton. I’m immediately intimidated.

“Oh, he wasn’t kidding. You’re stunning.” Tenley approaches me with an almost deranged look in her eyes that has me taking a step back.

“Don’t be scared,” Addie says, laughing. “She doesn’t actually bite.”

“You’re flawless. I hope you’re prepared to be the next It Girl, because the minute the paps get a look at you, they’re going to be ravenous.”

“Don’t scare her off, Tenley,” Addie admonishes. “Flynn wants her to enjoy this.”

“Oh, we are going to enjoy this. We’re going to enjoy it so much.”





Despite my initial impression of her, Tenley is savvy and astute. She studies each gown with a critical eye and narrows the choices down to two that she feels best suit me. One is an incredible plum color that clings to my body, leaving nothing to the imagination. It’s sexy and demure at the same time. I love it.

Addie gives me a thumbs-up when I emerge from the bedroom in the plum gown. “That is awesome.”

“I agree,” Tenley says, tugging at the bodice and checking the fit through my hips. “But I want to see the black one, too.” She grabs the one she wants. “You’re going to need help getting into this one.”