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Quietly, I read my book, allowing her to flip through the pages, the bookshop clearly giving her a sense of peace and security. It wasn’t the way I’d envisioned spending my afternoon with Mylee, and I hadn’t spoken a word to her about her attire and what was expected of her in the next few months, but damn if I was going to ruin the mood with all that now.
It would be easy enough for me to set up appointments at the salon for her hair and nails and take her out shopping before her first event with Kai coming up. I didn’t need to ruin this time with Mylee.
For a few minutes, I felt like I understood her, this orphaned girl with the mystical aura. And I was happy basking in her glowing light for just a little while. Dress shopping and etiquette talks could wait for an hour or two.
CHAPTER6
Mylee
“Hey…”
I jumped, the fuzz of my partial nightmare bouncing off me as the hand touched my shoulder, a reactive slap rising to push the man away from me. But instantly, I stopped myself, Lincoln’s face backing away to look at me as I blinked myself awake, my heart hammering as he grinned.
“Lincoln, what are you doing?” I mumbled, sitting up to pull the duvet around my pajamas, my head twisting toward my charging phone on the bedside table. It was just after seven in the morning. “What’s wrong? Am I late for something?”
Panic seized me as I thought I might have mixed up the schedule and already messed up my arrangement, but Lincoln shook his head.
“No, Mylee, everything’s fine. Sorry I startled you—and came into your personal space. But you have an appointment at eight.”
I popped fully out of bed now, fully awake.
“With who? Where? Is that on the schedule?”
Lincoln ran a hand over his dark hair, hanging his head ruefully. “It’s not a meeting,” he promised. “I made some appointments for you. You’re getting a facial and your hair and nails done—and then there’s a shopping trip afterward.”
The wind knocked out of my lungs as I gawked at him. “What? Really?”
“Spa at eight,” he explained, his green eyes twinkling. “I’ll meet you for shopping at noon. Your driver has the schedule. Pax might join, too, if he can get away.”
He padded out of my bedroom, closing the door behind him as I remained standing next to the king bed. It was only then that I realized I was trembling slightly.
I’d never been to a spa before. This was going to be an experience, all right.
* * *
My hairdresser was renowned around Chicago, apparently, and I could see why. I couldn’t stop checking out my sweeping layers in the mirror as Bea put the finishing touches on my pedicure.
“You look like a new woman,” Bea cawed proudly, moving the blue light away from my feet. “Your husband will be so happy.”
I didn’t bother correcting her as I stood, again stealing a look at my hair across the salon. I really did feel like a new woman.
“Your driver is outside, Ms. Lynn,” the receptionist informed me. “And Mr. Ray phoned to say that he’ll be waiting for you.”
My heart fluttered as I swallowed.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, reaching for the credit card that Paxton had given me on the first day I’d arrived.
“Oh, no, Ms. Lynn. It’s all covered,” she informed me with a giggle. “We’ll see you in six weeks?”
“Right,” I muttered, wondering if rich women really did come and spend this money on themselves so frequently.
Charlie wordlessly opened the back door for me, and we headed to the Mag Mile, but my heart wouldn’t slow down.
Why did he call the salon? Why didn’t he just text me?
The only reason I could think of was that he was trying to show everyone he knew how to treat women. But that still didn’t make any sense.
A twist of emotions fought through me, and I was slightly nauseous by the time we arrived to go shopping. To my surprise, all three of the men were there. Kai seemed annoyed he’d been dragged out, but Paxton and Lincoln were pickled as they all walked me to the first store.
