Page 103 of The Girlfriend Clause
What was I even doing here, in this shop, with Liam von Roth?
I wanted to go home. Now.
I heard the door clang. Liam was back.
“Sorry about that. It was urgent.” He stopped. His brow creased, then smoothed again. “Everything okay, Andrea?”
“Yes. But I’m not sure I should really—” I inhaled too quickly. “I doubt there’s anything here… for me. You know. Given my…” I gestured vaguely at myself. “But it’s fine. I’m fine.”
Liam frowned slightly and squinted as he looked at me. “What do you—”
The assistant reappeared, two gowns draped over her arm, one beige, one black. Liam put his phone away and glancedfrom her to me, then back again. Her lips were pursed into a half smile like she was already certain neither would work.
“I’ve selected the only things that might be appropriate…for you,” she said casually, as if it was all too much bother. “Not a lot of choice, given your size. You might do better on Oxford Street.” Her eyes appraised me again, a smile of pure condescension on her lips.
I felt my face go hot. “Right. Of course.”
Liam went still beside me.
“What did you just say?” His voice was quiet.
The assistant blinked.
He let the silence expand almost painfully until her expression wavered.
“Just a second,” he said. He turned away and typed something on his phone.
I stood there quietly, unsure what to do with myself.
“No.” He turned back and smiled tightly. “Appropriate isn’t good enough, I’m afraid.” He glanced at her coldly. “Shame. Please let Karl know I sent my regards.”
Her face drained of color, the gowns sagging in her grip. “Oh, I didn’t mean—”
“I think you did, actually…Sylvia,” Liam replied, checking her name badge. “That’s the problem.”
Ohdear.
She opened her mouth, but another voice cut through the space.
“Ah, Mr. Roth.” A man in an expensive-looking suit swept toward us, smiling. His gray hair gleamed under the shop lights. “I didn’t know you were coming in today. You should have called. What a pleasure.”
“This is Karl,” Liam said smoothly, turning to me. His hand rested lightly at the small of my back. “He’s the owner.”
Karl took my hand with both of his. “Wonderful, my dear. Any guest of Mr. Roth is our guest.”
“Perhaps Sylvia would like to work elsewhere today, Karl,” Liam said evenly.
“Oh, no. It’s fine, Liam,” I said quietly. “Sylvia hadn’t had time to see what dresses I’d prefer. Hence her… small sample.”
Why was I helping this horrible woman out?Still. Just because she was a mean girl didn’t mean I had to be one, too.
Liam raised a brow. Karl looked at his assistant.
“Please, Sylvia, clear the fitting suite. And bring champagne for Mr. Roth and his guest.”
“Of course,” she said quickly. She glanced at Liam, then me, before dropping her eyes and hurrying off.
A private suite andchampagne? Five minutes ago, I was one squeaky step from being escorted out.
