Page 63 of Last First Date

He grinned and it was very hard not to beg him to strip for me. “Ah, so you want a shopping buddy?”

“Yes.” I blushed, finding myself unable to meet his gaze. “Please.”

He stood there for a moment, considering it before he smiled at me again. This time, his smile was softer. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Alright,” he agreed, nodding decisively.

“Really?” I asked, my heart fluttering in my chest.

“Yeah.” He nodded, still looking at me with that warm smile. “It could be fun. Besides, I think you’re going to be amazing.”

Suddenly the panic that gnawed my insides began to ebb away. “Thank you, Knox,” I whispered. “I promise, this won’t get in the way of my job. I was thinking of buying just a couple of things.”

His eyes locked onto mine. For what felt like a moment suspended in time, he stared at me. I could see the wheels turning and wondered what he was thinking. I was suddenly very aware we were alone in a room with a huge bed and he was half-dressed.

“It’s fine,” he said, ruffling his damp hair. “I need to finish up here and then we can go.”

“Thank you,” I said again. “I promise I’ll work late tonight to catch up on everything.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I was planning on taking the afternoon to do a little shopping myself.”

I nodded and left his room. I went back to my own room and covered my face with my hands. I couldn’t believe I had gotten myself into this situation. But shopping in New York was very appealing, especially considering I was told to buy whatever and it would be covered by the company.

26

KNOX

“Ready?” I asked Waverly when she stepped into the hall.

“I am.”

“Why do you look nervous?” I asked. “It’s just shopping. You’re a girl. Aren’t you supposed to like shopping?”

She frowned. “Just because I’m a girl, that doesn’t mean I like shopping. And it isn’t that I dislike shopping. This isn’t fun. This is a job. I have to try and look like one of you.”

“One of me?” I questioned.

“Yeah, you know. Fashionable, alluring, stylish. Everything I’m not,” Waverly said. “You’re from here. You know how to dress. You have a very easy body to dress. You’re one of them, the beautiful people.”

“That’s not true,” I countered, trying to keep a teasing note out of my voice. “You’re plenty attractive, Waverly. You’ve been asked to do this show because they think you’re hot.”

She blushed at my words, and I felt a twinge of satisfaction. She wasn’t like the usual models I worked with. She had a draw to her that was hard to explain. It was her authenticity, maybe, or the way she didn’t seem to realize she was beautiful. I knew that was what the director saw and why she wanted Waverly in the show.

“I’m not going to back out, but I’m so nervous. I accepted the offer because I was thinking about me and what this will do for me. I failed to think about what it might mean for the company if I showed up looking like me at some of these events. I only have two days to go from boring Waverly to a woman worthy of wearing expensive lingerie.”

“Hey,” I said. “You’re already a woman worthy of wearing anything you choose. The only thing we’re changing is your wardrobe, not you.”

She blinked at me, smiling softly. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“No, I’m saying it because it’s true.” I stepped back to give her some space. “So shall we get going?”

“You better be careful, Knox. You’re almost human. You’re going to ruin your badass reputation.” Waverly nodded and pulled on her coat.

We exited the building, stepping onto the bustling sidewalk. She looked around the city with awe, her gaze darting from one skyscraper to the next. “I don’t think I will ever get used to being surrounded by such huge buildings.”

“You get used to it,” I said. “I barely notice anymore.”

“Where are we going first?” she asked.

“I spoke with the director. She wants you to visit their flagship store. A couple of outfits and a gown for the night.”