“Mr. Snowden…” Addison pleaded.
Like now, when Addison needed something to wear for a job interview. Getting the girl to buy other necessary items was likely going to be a battle I was fully prepared to fight, but the most important was for the interview, so that was what I was attempting to focus on.
She wasn’t making it easy.
“Seriously, Mr. Snowden. You’ve already done more than enough for me. I don’t deserve—”
Abruptly pivoting to face her, I caused Addison to stumble right into me. I helped her get her footing, then glanced over her shoulder. “Can you give us a minute, Judy?”
“Of course.”
I waited until the shop owner walked away before I tilted Addison’s chin up so she was forced to look at me. Baby-blue eyes locked on mine and I could see a hint of fear there. Not of me, I didn’t think. No, this fear was of the situation. This girl had obviously had a rough life and it was evident things continued to go downhill for her. Yet she didn’t play the pity card, which I found admirable.
“First of all, don’t let me ever hear you say you don’t deserve something,” I rumbled darkly. “If I offer, you deserve it. Understand?”
She nodded, her eyes wary.
Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself. “Right now, I’m asking nicely. That won’t be the case if you keep it up. Find something you’ll feel comfortable wearing to a professional interview. Don’t worry about the cost. I want to take care of this.”
“But it’s not fair to you.”
I frowned. She clearly wasn’t getting it. “It’s not for you to decide what’s fair to me. If this is what I choose to do—which it is—then I expect you to oblige me with a smile.”
She seemed to want to argue, but surprisingly, Addison kept her mouth closed. I could tell that wasn’t easy for her, so I was proud of her for trying.
Physically turning her toward the woman who had so kindly offered to help, I put a smile on my face. “She’s all ready for you now, Judy.”
The boutique owner offered a pleasant nod and turned her attention to Addison. “Come on, sweetie. We’ll find something that’ll knock them off their feet. If you’ll give me your sizes, I’ll be able to help more quickly.”
I nodded toward a chair near the door. “Pretend I’m not even here,” I told them, then moved over and dropped into the chair with a heavy sigh.
“What do you think of this?” Judy asked Addison as she held up a short-sleeve, black blazer-like top with a slim red belt.
“It’s…” Addison’s gaze shot over to me, as though seeking my input.
I briefly imagined her in that. Paired with a short skirt and some red heels…I nodded.
She turned back to Judy. “It’s…uh…nice.”
I wondered if she realized she didn’t have much time before the interview.
“Well, you can try it on to see how it fits.”
I couldn’t help but watch Addison as she moved around the store with the woman. The way she frowned at a lot of things was telling. I seriously doubted it had anything to do with the style of the clothing, more so with the price. This wasn’t a cheap place and I was sure Addison would’ve preferred I took her to a discount store, but that wasn’t going to happen. Although this was Mr. Parker’s idea, I was the one who would foot the bill. Not because I was obligated but because I wanted to.
Hence the reason Judy was going to get Addison’s sizes so we could completely outfit her for a couple of weeks. Not that I was going to tell her that. It would only be another battle I would have to face, and quite frankly, I was tired. It had been a long damn night.
“What about this one?” Judy asked Addison, holding up a black skirt.
“It’s…a little long.”
Good girl.
I genuinely liked Addison. She was sassy and witty and a lot of fun. The only concern I had was her lack of trust in others. Not that it was wrong of her. After what I’d witnessed last night, seeing her with a man who wasn’t treating her the way she deserved, I doubted she had much reason to trust anyone. The fact that no one else in the club stood up to protect her… It didn’t appear she had a lot of people—if any—in her corner.
If we could get her to trust us even a little, I think the girl would be everything that Mr. Parker and I were looking for. Not only in the office but…outside of it, as well. I figured it was going to take quite a bit to convince her, but I was willing to put forth the effort because I knew the reward would be worth it.
I wasn’t at all surprised that Addison had decided to apply for the job. Sure, she’d put up a bit of a fight, but I knew at some point her self-preservation would kick in. And it did.
