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“Hard at work, Andrea?” he rumbled.
I managed a nod. Everyone in the room stood still, looking bright and fixed and attentive.
“That’s Richard Randolph,” my boss, Caroline, whispered to an intern. “The media magnate. He owns this place.”
Uncle Richard turned to her, squeezing my shoulder.
“Is my niece earning her keep?” he boomed. As far as I could tell, my uncle wasn’t capable of speaking quietly.
“Oh yes, of course. Andie is conscientious and driven. She’s off to a great start,” Caroline said brightly.
Caroline knew I was Richard’s niece, but I hadn’t mentioned the connection to anyone else. As my coworkers peered at us, I saw their expressions change. They’d either start tiptoeing around me, or I’d have to prove my worth twice over to show I deserved the job. Meg and Emily were staring from their desks, their eyes round with excitement.
On my other side, the lithe shape of my cousin came into view, and my heart beat faster.
“You remember my boy, Will,” Richard said heartily to Caroline. “He’s working with me this summer, learning the family business.”
Caroline nodded eagerly. “Of course. You’ve got a very bright future.” Everyone laughed politely.
Will turned his dazzling smile on the room, then glanced at his father’s hand on my shoulder.
“Dad, Andie needs to change for dinner,” he said casually, holding up a garment bag.
Giving me a wink, he put it in my hand. I got to my feet, ready for any excuse to escape, as Richard released me.
“Glad you’re getting along well here, Andrea,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
I hurried out to the hall, carrying the garment bag. But when I reached the restrooms, a noise made me turn. My cousin was leaning against the wall.
I rattled the garment bag, my throat going dry. “How offended will Aunt Rose be if I don’t wear this?”
“Just try it,” Will said casually. “She never wears this one, and we both know how out of place you felt at Bryce Wingard’s party in your pretty purple dress.”
“I can’t believe you remember,” I said in a low voice.
“How could I forget? I’d be happy for you to wear that again, but something tells me you didn’t bring it this summer.”
“I donated it years ago,” I muttered.
“Oh, little cousin.” A grin tugged at his beautiful lips. “You pretend to rebel, but you’re lying. Deep down, Andie, you want to fit in. You want to be like us.”
I glared at him. Green eyes lingered on my simple black button-down shirt and tan pencil skirt, rumpled in the heat.
“Keep that on if you want to,” he said lazily. “But don’t come complaining to me, or I’ll take care of you in my own way.”
“Complaining to you?” I hissed. “When did I ever—”
“Will, my dress is so tight,” he mimicked. “I can’t zip it up. I can’t breathe. I don’t fit in. I’m so uncomfortable. Help me.” Moving close, he traced the curve of my cheek. I looked wildly up and down the empty hall. His hand dropped, and he raised a dark eyebrow. “Hurry up and change if you’re going to. My father doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Two of my coworkers came around the corner and stopped abruptly when they saw me with Will. Stepping back, I stalked into the ladies’ room with the dress.
In a stall, I tried it on. It was gorgeous. Of course it was. And it fit perfectly — my aunt and I were the same size. Silvery lace overlaid cream silk, rustling like the dress had secrets to tell. The length was demure, hitting just above my knees, but the bodice was low-cut. The lines managed to make the soft swell of my cleavage look elegant, rather than exposed.
I found a pair of matching shoes in the bag, cream-colored with kitten heels, which also fit. They clicked on the tiled floor as I left the stall to fix my makeup in the mirror. My cheeks were still red from the shock of Will touching me, in my workplace. But seeing myself in the dress, I felt transported. The air seemed to glow, as if the dress were a magic garment that reached tendrils into me. Changing me.
Outside, Will took the garment bag, which now held my work clothes, and gave me a slow smile. I turned away only to look up into Uncle Richard’s eyes.
“Finally, you’re ready,” he rumbled.
