“There’s a really nice car outside,” Hilary said.
Mary went to the window and pushed the curtains aside. “He must be turning around or something.”
It was Saturday, and she needed to get the girls to the mall.
“They’re not turning around,” Hilary said. “I’m pretty sure that’s Connor.”
“No, it’s not. Now, can you please tell your sister to hurry up and get ready? I don’t have all day to show you guys around.”
“Well, if you’d buy us a car or let us buy our own, this wouldn’t be a problem,” Melody said as she came down the stairs.
“I don’t have the money to buy you a car.” Mary looked Mel’s outfit over. “You need to put on longer shorts. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to see your butt cheeks if you bend over.”
Mel put her hands at her sides. “No way. These are as long as my fingertips.”
“I’m going to let him in,” Hilary sang.
Mary’s head snapped around. “You’re going to let who in?”
“I told you,” Hilary said. “Your boss is outside.”
Before Mary had a chance to react, Hilary had flung open the door and was greeting none other than Connor Hansen. All Mary could do was stare. This couldn’t be happening.
“I hope I’m not being too forward,” he told her from the door. He looked as handsome as ever. Even in his weekend clothes, he looked like a male model.
“Please do come in,” Hilary said with a smile. “We were just getting ready to head out to the mall.”
“We don’t have to go to the mall now.” Mel extended her hand as she neared him. “I’m Melody, and this is my sister Hilary.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
He looked from one girl to the other. Mary knew that look. He was searching for any kind of way to tell them apart. This time, it was going to be easy. Melody was wearing shorts and Hilary pants. But that wouldn’t help him in future exchanges with the girls.
Not that there would be any future exchanges. She didn’t even know how this first one had happened.
“What are you doing here?” She’d finally regained the ability to talk.
“I thought you and I could go shopping. You do owe me a fashion show. And you said you wanted to use my discount.”
“I said maybe I would use your discount. That didn’t mean yes, and anyway, I don’t have time for that.” Mary waved a hand to dismiss him, as if turning down shopping trips with a billionaire was old hat for her. “I have to get the girls to the mall and then come back to shampoo the rugs.”
Not to mention the fact that she had zero dollars to buy anything. But she didn’t want to admit that in front of him. It would seem like she was angling for a raise or something.
“Well, I could drop off the girls at the mall,” Connor suggested. “While I do that, you can shampoo the rugs. Then, when I get back, we can head out.”
“And we already have a ride home, so you don’t have to worry about that,” Mel said.
Mary racked her brain for an excuse that didn’t involve her telling her boss that she didn’t have the money to go shopping. He wouldn’t understand, and she really didn’t feel like explaining the nuances of budgeting one’s money to a man like him, a man who could have anything or anyone he wanted. There was no way he’d understand what she talking about.
“I know you’re going to say you already have a dress, but I’m going to ask you for another favor,” he told her. “It isn’t a discount, like I said. He’s going to give me the dress flat-out.”
“No way. I’m not taking a dress that’s supposed to be payment for you. Get something for yourself.”
“They only sell women’s clothes.”
Mary could see where this was going. “So, get something for your mother.”
He shook his head. “She doesn’t like the clothes they sell. Not her style.”
“What makes you think I would, then?”
She knew what he meant. Anything that would look good on a beautiful woman like Stephanie would look awful on someone like her. She was short and fat, while his mother, like all the women he dated, was tall and slim. Even if she had wanted to dress like they did, she’d have a hard time finding things in her size and budget. The nice clothes her size always cost more than the same clothes in straight sizes. It was already hard enough to find plus size clothes, to have them cost more added insult to injury.
“I have a feeling. Come on, just come with me. If you hate the place, we can leave. If not, you can get something free of charge, and then the owner will stop bothering me.”
“Win-win-win.” Hilary clapped her hands at each word. “Mary, you can’t say no to this. A free dress? Heck, we’ll take it if you don’t want it.”
“Can I drive your car?” Mel asked Connor.
“Do you have a license?” he asked, unfazed by the question. As if he’d ever let a teenager drive his expensive car.
“Yup.” She pulled her wallet from her purse and flipped it open. “I haven’t had an accident or anything.”
“Sure. Why not?” He looked at Mary for confirmation.
She shrugged. “Fine. But you girls call me when you get to the mall. But if they break it, you’ve already bought it. I’m not paying for any repairs.”
“Thanks!” Hilary squealed. “You’re the best.”
She and Melody hugged Mary and were out the door before Connor could give them the keys or even react to Mary’s proclamation.
“They’ve never gotten to ride in a Range Rover before,” Mary explained. “They’re getting too excited.”
“There aren’t many around here. And none that color.” He put his hands in his pockets and walked around the living room. “Is it rude if I say I’m surprised that this place is a mess?”
She laughed. “You try keeping anything clean with two teenage girls in the house. They had friends over last night, and I haven’t had a chance to deep-clean this week yet.”
“There’s no way they can go to the mall without cleaning up after themselves. My mom would never let that slide.” He went to the door and called the girls back in.
“What?” Hil asked. “Did you change your mind?”
“You guys need to clean up the living room before we can go.” He pointed to the empty soda cans and pizza boxes. “Your sister cleans up for her job. She doesn’t need to clean up after you two.”
Mel rolled her eyes. “I didn’t know you could throw your voice, Mary.”
Hil loaded all the soda cans she could fit into her arms. “Hurry up. Just throw the pizza box in the trash. I’ll wipe the table, and you sweep the floor.”
Mel grumbled a bit more before taking the pizza box to the kitchen.
Mary could scarcely believe her eyes. “What’s going on? Am I in some kind of bizarro world, or is this a dream?”
“Why? Do they normally not clean?” Connor asked.
“They do, but not before they complain a little more.”
“Probably because they don’t know me. I threw them off. I’m a wild card.” He lowered his voice. “I’m glad they caved so fast, though. I had no idea what to do if they refused.”
Mary laughed. “I don’t expect you have much experience with teenagers.”
“Nope. I guess you’ll have to give me some pointers.”
“Done.” Mel picked up the dust pan and took it to the kitchen. “Now, can we get out of here, Mr. Moneybags?”
“Hey!” Mary chastised her. “That’s not very nice.”
“Why not?” Mel asked. “Isn’t he a rich guy?”
“He’s more than just a rich guy,” Mary replied. “Also, he’s my boss. Show a little respect.”
“What about Richie Rich? Or Daddy Warbucks?”
Hil hit her sister in the shoulder. “Come on. No more making fun of him, or he won’t let you drive his awesome car.”
Mel groaned and held out her hand. “Okay, okay. Please, Mr. Hansen, sir, can I have the keys now?”
He tossed the keys at her. “No worries. I’m sitting shotgun, too. Sorry, Hilary.”
“Don’t forget to call me when you get there and when you leave,” Mary called after them.
“So, we’re good to go once I get back, right?” Connor asked once they were alone.
“Why are you here?”
“I told you...”
“Yes, but I mean, really, why are you here? How did you even know where I live?”
He took a step closer and got near her ear. “I have a very special skill set. Did you forget what my job is?”
Mary shivered and took a step back, crossing her arms in front of her. “All I see you do is send emails all day. I don’t know what you actually do.”
“I was a private investigator for almost two years.” There was pride in voice.
“I thought that was just a rumor.”
“Nope. I wanted to know how it all worked before I made any commitments to the family business.”
“So, you used your connections to look me up. That’s a little creepy.”
“It is. But I had to find you, and you weren’t answering the business number.”
She made a mental note to talk to Gina about that. She was the one in charge of the business line on the weekends. If this was a regular occurrence, it could be costing them business.
“So, you’re coming with me, right?”
“Yes. I’d love to get a new dress.”
It wasn’t like she could say no to her best client when he’d come all this way to find her—and she could use a new dress. She had no idea what people wore to a ball, but she had a feeling that her old prom dress would leave her underdressed. She didn’t want to embarrass herself or him. It wouldn’t help her make any new business connections if she looked like a bum.
“Please be careful with the girls.”
They were standing there awkwardly. She wasn’t sure how to end the conversation. Should she hug him? Shake his hand?
“No problem,” he said. “Anything to make this go quicker.”
“I’ll be ready when you get back.”
“Great.” He nodded at her and left.
Mary put her hands on her hips and shook her head. This was going to be a very strange day. What had she gotten herself into by agreeing to go to the ball with him? It was starting to look like he wanted more than a working relationship.
He was very attractive. It was crazy that he’d be into someone like her. He was easily the sexiest shifter in the city, and as far as she knew, he only dated models. Not anyone who looked like her.
She was probably imagining all this, but she was going to have to be careful. He might just think she was a charity case. In that case, she’d take all the business help she could get and enjoy the fun. There was no harm in doing him one more favor.