CHAPTER SEVEN
New Folder
After that more than interesting lunch with Max, Carrie was glad to have some time to herself to go shopping. One thing she was beginning to realize, Max was an intense man, whether it was intentional or not, and the time she spent with him one on one was intense as well. She needed a breather.
When it came to clothes Carrie wasn’t a picky woman. At home in Florida she wore shorts and t-shirts most of the year. When it turned chilly she had a pair of blue jeans and a few hoodies. June in London, however, wasn’t anything like the Sunshine State. It was wet and chilly, the kind that sunk down into her beach bum bones. Or maybe she was simply a wuss after spending a lifetime growing up where it was warm. Either way, she needed to find sensible clothes that didn’t look like she was wearing a potato sack. Where Max went, photographers were sure to follow. She needed to remember she couldn’t leave go outside wearing no makeup, a scraggly ponytail, and baggy shorts. That was no way to end up in People.
Not being stick thin and six feet tall, shopping was always a challenge. She had hips, she had boobs, and dammit, she had a caboose too. Her belly wasn’t flat from a thousand crunches a day. It was soft and when she bent over, it folded onto itself. Her bras had three hooks on the back for support and she could never buy those delicate little lace ones that couldn’t hold up a balloon. She needed a feat of engineering with underwire and elastic.
So it was with extreme trepidation that she walked into one of the stores Paige had recommended. Her friend and boss wouldn’t send her anywhere that didn’t have something to fit her but she’d learned that the salespeople could be downright snotty in certain circumstances. Because she didn’t dress up much, they assumed she couldn’t afford what they sold.
Hah!
Max had learned a valuable lesson as well today. Don’t assume from appearances.
“Can I help you?”
Excellent. An older woman with a little cushion of her own. She’d understand.
“Thank you, yes, you can. I’m visiting from a much warmer climate and basically have nothing for this weather. I need jeans, pants, sweaters, skirts, a few dresses, probably some boots and shoes. And a raincoat too.”
Lay out on the line. If the woman worked on commission, all the better. Carrie would get great service.
The woman’s face lit up. “A whole wardrobe. We better get to work then. My name is Alice, by the way.”
“Carrie, and I’ll follow you.”
Alice led her through a maze of clothing racks, asking questions here and there about favorite colors and styles. By the time they’d traversed the labyrinth to the fitting rooms, Alice had selected a huge armload of clothing.
“This should get you started. While you try these on I’ll go grab some more. If you don’t like something, place it on this hook. If you like something but it’s not the right size, place it here. If you like it and you think you might want it, hang it there.”
An organized woman. No wonder Paige had sent Carrie here. It was shopping nirvana.
“Got it and thank you.”
Alice smiled. “Actually, I should be thanking you. This is the most fun I’ve had all week. Can I get you anything to drink?”
Carrie shook her head. “I’m good. I just came from lunch.”
“I’ll be back in a few then.”
Shopping was actually enjoyable. Alice was easy to talk to and seemed to understand Carrie’s concerns about showing too much cleavage but at the same time accentuating what her momma gave her. It was a thin line and she wanted to make sure she stayed on the correct side of it. Alice totally got it and brought her tasteful, classy clothes that showed off her curves without being obvious. Her buy pile was growing at an alarming rate but she always followed the motto that when she found clothes that looked good on her, she would buy them. Season be damned. She might not be able to wear them much in Florida but Paige traveled and Carrie would get a chance then.
Frowning, she checked the tag on a particularly lovely peach lace blouse. She needed a size up. It went perfectly with the white wool skirt she had on.
“Alice,” she called through the door. “Do you have this in a larger size?”
At this point, it was like doctor and patient so the saleswoman stuck her head in the door and reached for the blouse. “Hmmm…I’ll have to check in the back. It’s so new only one was unpacked for the display mannequin.”
“You stripped a mannequin for me? That’s dedication, Alice.”
The woman laughed as she bustled away. “I took the skirt too so she’s naked as the day she was made in the factory. Shocking, just shocking.”
“You’re a wild woman, Alice,” Carrie called after her, slipping her feet into a gorgeous pair of black stiletto Mary Janes that made her average legs look inches longer and much leaner. It did wonders for her ass and Carrie took a moment to admire what expensive, well-cut clothes could do for a regular woman such as herself when she heard a crash on the other side of the fitting room door. Alice was quick. And apparently a little clumsy. She’d probably grabbed another armload of clothes to try on in addition to the blouse.
I should give her a hand.
Without even thinking about her state of undress, she opened it and froze, her entire body stiffening even as she felt a blush rise from her toes all the way up her chest and ending at the roots of her hair.
It wasn’t Alice. It was a man. A very handsome, dark-haired man who was currently wearing a wide but familiar smile.
Tyler fucking Gaylord. One of Nate’s – and Max’s – costars in the Thunder movies along with several other roles that had brought him fame, fortune, and women.
He was standing there. Right in front of Carrie. London must be filled with movie stars.
Glancing down at herself, she could only feel relief that at least she was wearing a bra and a skirt. All the bits and bobbles were covered up at least and for that she would be forever grateful. At some point she didn’t remember, her hands had flown up to her boobs, covering them just above where the satin edge ended. It was a futile effort but the only option appeared to be to try and brazen this out.
“Um, hello?”
That wide smile turned to a predatory grin that would have had most women’s panties on the floor. He didn’t immediately turn away, his gaze traveling leisurely from her head to where her feet were encased in fuck-me black heels. From the warm look in his amazingly blue eyes, he was enjoying the view.
Blushing all the way to her breasts, she reached back with one hand and grabbed a sweater hanging from the fitting room door and held it in front of her.
The handsome actor took a step closer. “I’m Tyler Gaylord. And you are?”
“Mortified, mostly,” she said curtly. His charm wasn’t going to work on her. “What are you doing in the ladies’ fitting area, Tyler? Is this how you spend your down time between movies? Does TMZ know about this?”
This was why she didn’t shop.
He shrugged those wide shoulders. “Some people knit…”
“Others creep around half-naked women. Got it.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. Seriously, I’m not a pervert. I think I got turned around. The salesperson out there told me to go have a seat for a moment and then she could help me.” He held up in his hands in surrender. “I swear I’m only here to buy my girlfriend a gift.”
“Monica Batfort,” Carrie replied knowingly. She’d seen a picture of the two of them while in line at the grocery store. “You really did take a wrong turn.”
He leaned over and picked up the naked mannequin he’d knocked over. “I guess I got a little flustered and next thing I knew this little lady was hitting the floor. I hope she forgives me.”
“I heard you were backstage at a lingerie fashion show so I’m having a hard time picturing you flustered by an undressed mannequin.”
He leaned forward and gave her a wink. “Don’t believe a fraction of what you read.”
Carrie of all people should know how bogus it all was.
“A fraction is more than enough. I don’t think you’ll find anything for Monica back here. She and I don’t wear the same size.”
Monica was tall and thin with no boobs.
His gaze caressed her curves. “Clearly you don’t. But it’s not Monica I’m buying for. It’s Angie.”
“Angie,” Carrie echoed, trying to place the name with a face. “I doubt she’s my size either.”
He stuck his hands in the pockets of his tight jeans. “The fact is I don’t know what to get her. This place was recommended by the wife of one of my costars. She said it had everything and the service was top-notch.”
That was exactly what Paige had told Carrie. It couldn’t be?
“Did Paige tell you that?”
His brows shot up and then he threw his head back and laughed. “You know Paige? How do you know Paige?”
Of course.
“She’s my boss.”
Something in Tyler Gaylord’s demeanor changed. Just like that, he’d gone from arrogant womanizer to regular guy-next-door. These actors really did turn it on and off.
“You’re Carrie,” he said warmly. “We would have met at the wedding but I couldn’t get away. Paige and Nate talk about you all the time. They say you’re a miracle.”
It was always nice to hear good things about oneself.
Except when one was half-naked.
“I am a miracle. I am also a little chilly.”
At first, he looked at her blankly but then he got what she was saying.
“Clearly, I need to find out where I’m actually supposed to be waiting. I want you to know that I don’t normally do this.”
Maybe. She’d believe that half-naked women dragged him into the dressing rooms. Then had their wicked way with his fine self.
“That would be more believable if you weren’t still standing here. Off you go, Mr. Gaylord. I’m sure you’re a busy man.”
Whirling around, he presented his back to her, but she could tell he was laughing by the way his shoulders shook. He looked as good from this angle as he did the front.
“Do pardon me, Carrie. I’ll just be on my way. It was lovely meeting you. We should do this again sometime.”
Of course he got in the last word as Alice bustled back in, an alarmed expression on her face.
“Oh my goodness, I’m afraid to ask what happened but I think I already know. Constance should have escorted him to a chair instead of just sending him in this direction.”
The entire situation was funny and absurd. Carrie couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the older woman’s fearful expression. Was she afraid that Carrie was going to scream and complain? Call the cops? Walk out without buying anything?
“Thankfully he didn’t see anything of importance.”
Carrie was sure he’d seen it all before. And much better. He’d dated a long list of glamorous beauties.
Alice glanced over her shoulder to where he’d been standing. “A man like that could get me to show him anything he wanted. No questions asked. This will make a funny story at the next office Christmas party.”
It was going to make a funny story sooner than that. Carrie would tell Paige the next time they talked. They would both get a king-sized laugh out of it. It was such a small world.
“Glad I could help, Alice. Now that Tyler Gaylord has found the exit, did you find that blouse in my size?” she asked hopefully.
The woman beamed and held it up. “I certainly did.”
Carrie would chalk the afternoon up to one of those strange moments that you giggle about years later. It might even make Max laugh. Or maybe not. That stick up his butt probably made it difficult to laugh or have fun. When she’d seen him in interviews he didn’t seem that stodgy.
It might just be her that brought out the pompous ass in him.