Chapter Eight
Cayden went through the dresses in front of her.
“We have more to choose from,” Katie called out, rolling another rack into the ballroom.
“Purple, size four.” She snagged the shiny number and handed it to the tween girl.
“Thank you, Ms. Young.”
They usually used the huge space for weddings, reunions, and the occasional retirement party, but tonight the girls took over the hall. Goosebay Lake hosted sleepover camp for the local orphanage.
It was a seasonal program that took years for them to get off the ground. At first, the resort could only get a couple of organizations to participate. Even though the camp started out slow, it had turned into such a big success other businesses showed interest in sponsoring the camp.
“Everyone who has a dress, are you happy with your pick?”
“Yes!” Tween squeals filled the room.
“Follow Katie to try them on and meet back here in ten minutes. For everyone else, hang back with me. I know we’ll get you something.”
Fifteen girls made a mad dash to the entrance, while Cayden rearranged the racks. Various vendors would donate merchandise, which helped ease the financial burden off of Goosebay Lake. When the high-energy chatter grew low with appreciative ooohs and ahhhs, Cayden glanced up.
Her stomach did a crazy somersault at the sight of him. “Ladies,” Levi called out to teenage giggles. Dressed in a tux, he approached her, rocking only a slight shadow of a beard. The dark contrast with his eyes made the blue gems sparkle.
“This looks familiar.” He touched the tiara on top of her head. It put the cherry on top of her fancy tank and leggings.
“I’ve decided this and a curtsy will be written into the employee rule book. You look handsome, Mr. Scott. Just like a real-life Ken doll.”
“That’s not a compliment,” he whispered close to her face.
“I know,” she said with a wink. “Where are you off to on this fine fall evening?” Cayden hadn’t seen Levi much. Positive he wanted to avoid her, she decided to give him the space he wanted.
“To accept an award for Goosebay Lake … a job my partner should be doing.”
“And ruin my rep?” she replied. “I’m getting good at this shallow and spoiled gig.”
“There you are, Scott. Hey, Cayden, thanks for the call.” Greg strolled into the ballroom, dressed to the nines with a face that could mirror Tom Cruise’s.
“Sorry, Greg, I’ve been swamped.”
“I can tell.” He laughed with no humor, while she combed the rack for the shy girl’s dress. Cayden grabbed a poofy ice-blue number and signaled for her to come over. The tween shuffled toward her without any eye contact, barely holding out her hand to reach for the fabric.
“Blue’s my favorite color,” Levi told her, before she could run off to catch up with the others.
On her way past, Cayden caught a tiny sliver of the girl’s smile.
“Cupcakes?” One of the resort servers came by with a tray of delicious desserts for the kids.
Greg went for a red velvet treat before he quickly withdrew his hand. “Are those nuts?” A light dusting of pecans covered the top of each treat.
“Yes, sir,” the server told him.
“In that case, no.” He frowned. “I’m allergic.”
“The meter’s running on the limo, guys. Oh, hi.” Taylor was dressed in a long black number that reeked of good girl desperation. “Nice tiara.” She chuckled as she joined them.
“It would go great with that dress. It’s too bad you don’t have one.” Cayden poked her.
“Pass, but thanks.”
The awkwardness between Levi and Taylor hurt to witness. If she meant anything to Levi, Cayden would have been bothered by her. Even if he had stuck his dick in the Assistant DA at one point, he no longer seemed interested. Apparently, Taylor didn’t get that memo.
“Ms. Young”—the smallest girl of the bunch tugged at her shirt—“can I try the green one?”
“Coming right up.”
“We have to go. Do you want to try for coffee sometime?” Greg gave her a boyish smile that probably won him many cases with the elderly bunch. Cute bordering on handsome, she didn’t take him seriously. Most of the men in St. Geneva wanted to cross her off some high school list of conquests.
“Sure,” she lied. “You guys have fun.” Cayden snagged the green dress from the rack, figuring they could take it in if it didn’t fit. As they left, she caught Taylor linking her arms with the men.
“He is more beautiful than Hercules,” the girl mooned before the trio left the ball room.
Cayden didn’t bother to ask which one since she already knew.