Page 104 of The Girlfriend Clause
Liam leaned down, his voice quiet. “Is this okay?”
“Yes. Thanks. I—”
“Karl,” said Liam. “Wonderful to see you again. This is Andrea Jones. My girlfriend.”
Chapter 21
Andrea
I shifted inmy seat, trying to look over my shoulder. The red leather creaked as I moved, and behind me, the car’s so-called back seat had disappeared under shopping bags. Black ribbons trailed across Dior and Prada logos, a Saint Laurent box rammed up against Chanel.
I’d never even had ashopping bagfrom one of these places before, let alone any actual clothes.
We’d been there at least two hours. Miraculously, Karl had managed to find some outfits that worked on a normal-sized bum. Sylvia had been relegated to sheepish champagne glass filler. I’d even sneaked in a couple of photos and sent them to Eliza when no one was around.
I smiled quietly to myself and peered back at the glossy heap. “Nice to know my future grandchildren will have something to inherit.”
Liam glanced at me with a smile but didn’t say anything.
Shit. Maybe the clothes were just a loan. Maybe he planned to take them back?Wasn’t that what famous people did with party clothes?But no, Liam wasn’t really famous, just rich—andI was neither.Did rich people do that, too?I hadn’t thought to check, I’d just assumed, I hadn’t even—
“They looked great on you, Andrea,” he said with a grin. “I’m glad you got what you needed.”
Phew.
The window was open, and silk tissue paper fluttered in the breeze.
Great on you.A perfectly neutral comment.
So why did I feel so stupidly warm inside when he saidit?
“You know, in South London, this is what we callan invitation to theft,” I said quickly, glancing back at the bags.
“We can keep them at my place if you prefer.”
“Your place?” Hard to imagine Liam lived anywhere outside of a boardroom.
“My apartment. In Mayfair. There’s more space, of course—”
“Of course. Panic room and a moat too, right?”
“No moat.” His eyes didn’t leave the road.
“But a panic room?”
He didn’t reply, which I decided to take as a yes.
“So what’s your interior design vibe?” I asked.
“Not as cozy as yours, I’m afraid.” He raised an amused brow. “But it’ll be easier for me to have everything sent over to France from there directly, before we leave for the wedding.”
Right. The wedding. The reason behind this whole day.
“Oh, okay. Well, sure, why not?”
I looked out the window. It had felt so weird when he’d called me hisgirlfriendbefore. Especially right on top of how he’d dealt with Sylvia. Was that what it would be like when we got to France?
I mean, he didn’t need to do that, did he? Jump in and… protect me.
