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“There’s this wonderful dress boutique just downtown. Can I task you with going down there to find us something to wear? It’s a black-tie event, so we’re going to need to look our best.” She eyed me up and down. “I’m pretty sure we’re the same size. Can you try a few of them on and send me pictures? I doubt Kris will let me go in person after the whole…” She gestured with a hand vaguely.
“Assassination attempt?” I supplied, perhaps a tad too brusquely.
“Hm, yes. That.”
“I’d be happy to go pick out our gowns. I’ll go let Kris know right now so we can make time to head to the boutique.”
“Marvelous!” Arianna cheered, pouring herself another mimosa from a prepared crystal pitcher. She settled into the couch; both her feet tucked under her thighs as she sprawled across the armrest. “But enough talk of work for now. Tell me, what’s your little situation like downstairs?”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
She looked positively coy. “Oh, none of that, Sam. Either there’s a ghost living in the penthouse’s vents, orsomeone’senjoying the company of one of her colleagues every night.”
I blushed furiously. I was mortified. “Oh, God, you ? I mean ? No, that’s not—”
Arianna chuckled. It was the least ladylike she’d ever been. It kind of suited her, the way she made a little snort sound as she laughed. It wasreal, unpolished, and unapologetically herself. “I was joking, but now I’m totally curious. Who is it, hm? Is it Adam? No, no. I bet you it’s Charlie. Or maybe Liam?” She gasped dramatically. “Is it Kris? It’s so hard to tell. The way they look at you…”
“The way they look at me?”
“Gosh, Sam. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. All four of them look like they’re completely and totally in love with you.”
I didn’t know what to say to this, though I suspected my smile must have given me away. I cleared my throat in a hurry and stood, bowing a little as I started toward the staircase. I bumped into the railing in my haste. “I should, um, I’m going to go ask Kris about the dress shopping.”
“Oh, come on,” she teased. “At least tell me who you’re boinking.”
I laughed shakily. “Nobody calls it that.”
“Hit me with the girl talk, Sam! I can’t survive on business interactions alone, you know.”
“It wouldn’t be very professional of me.”
“Pretty please?”
“Nope!” I said over my shoulder, already descending the stairs two at a time.
“Little minx,” I thought I heard the duchess mutter.
I made it to the first floor of the penthouse just in time to hear my phone going off in my room. I scurried past Adam, Charlie, and Liam, kissing each of them on the cheek as I went and picked up just in time to answer a FaceTime call from Nana and Max.
“Hi!” I greeted.
“Goodness, dear,” Nana said. “Are you feeling alright? You’re as red as a tomato.”
“I’m fine, I promise. It’s very humid today.”
“Mama!” Max said with a laugh. “I miss you, Mama!”
“I miss you too, honey. Did you have fun at school today?”
“Yeah! Mrs. Thompson has a baby duck!”
“A baby duck?”
Nana hummed. “He means that his teacher has brought in baby ducks as class pets. They’re learning about eggs.”
“Oh, very interesting, honey. Does the duckling have a name?”
Max was too occupied with sucking on his thumb to remember my question. “Are you home yet?” he asked instead.
