"That’s how we welcome friends in Sicily." She beams at me.
I knit my eyebrows. "I didn't expect to see you here in person," I say stiffly.
She laughs. "Knight called ahead and said you were on your way over, and if you’re Abby's friend, you're my friend. So of course I was going to be here and make sure you were looked after."
Tiny barks. Her features light up. "Look who’s here." She releases me and walks over to scratch Tiny behind his ear. He bumps his head against her, and for all his considerable strength, he’s very gentle.
"Aww, you’re a sweetheart." She bends slightly and hugs the Great Dane, who wags his tail with vigor.
Knight shuffles his feet.
With a final rub behind Tiny’s ears, she straightens and walks over to him with her arms outstretched. His jaw hardens. He looks like he’s about to protest, but Karma wraps her arms about him and hugs him. He stands immobile for a few seconds, then robotically pats her shoulder. Reluctance is written in every angle of his body, but he manages not to scowl as she steps back from him.
"I am so happy you made it,” she chirps.
He manages a quirk of the left side of his mouth. "Thank you for opening the boutique for us."
"Nonsense." She waves a hand in the air. "I was so excited when you called me. After all, it’s tradition."
"Tradition?" He blinks.
"When any of my girlfriends finds their man, they always come here to pick out a dress of their choice. An original Karma West Sovrano creation, which their man pays for."
"I’m not her man," he growls.
"He’s not my man," I snap at the same time.
Karma steps back and looks between us. There’s a smile on her face, as if she knows something I don’t. "Of course not." Her tone is indulgent.
"No, you don’t understand. He’s my boss, and—" I spent the night at his penthouse. And now, he’s going to buy me a dress, before we head over to work together, because I didn’t have anything to wear, and we were getting late— And oh, god, this entire situation a little too domestic, a little too in the realm of the two of us knowing each other too well, a little too much for me.
She must notice the conflicting emotions on my face. Her forehead furrows. Then, she flashes me a genuine smile. "—and you need something to wear to the office today."
"And underwear,” Knight interjects.
I flush, then shoot him a loaded stare; not that it makes a difference since asshole isn't even looking at me.
“And underwear.” She nods.
“Also, something for my sister’s get-together," he adds.
"Abby’s organizing a get-together?" I burst out.
"She is.” His jaw hardens further. Jeez, does he have any molars left or has he ground them all to dust already?
“My sister feels I'm not getting out enough, so she’s decided to invite all of our friends to her home. I’m expected to make an appearance.” He says this in a tone that implies he’d rather be swimming with the sharks instead. “You’re coming with me."
"I am not."
A nerve pops at his temple. Hooray! It’s sooo getting under his skin. It’s becoming more exciting than watching the London Ice Kings score a goal, watching him try hard to rein in his temper.
"Yes, you are,” he snaps.
“Uh, I’ll get some clothes for you to choose from.” Karma glides away.
I jut out my chin. “When is this get-together?”
“This weekend.”
"Why don’t you hurry up and choose your future wife by then? That way, you can ask her to come with you."
"I’m asking you."
"It seems you and I have a different understanding of the meaning of ask." I cross my arms across my chest. "Anyway, I don’t want to."
His gaze narrows. "Remember, you’re my employee. You’ll do as you’re told."
I curl my fingers into fists. Oh, yeah. It all comes down to money, after all. And the fact that he paid for my mother’s care, and now I owe him.
Silence falls in the shop. The tension is so thick, it feels like it's squeezing in on me. Tiny plants his butt on the ground and whines.
Knight looks down at him. A strange looks comes over his face. He shakes his head, then his chest inflates. Without looking up at me he mutters, “Please.”
30
Penny
"One stupid word from him, and I gave in," I mumble under my breath as I follow Karma inside the changing room. It’s a spacious space with clothes hanging on a rack on one side, a mirror that covers the entire side of one wall, and a spacious chaise. We left Knight and Tiny, who strained on his leash to follow us, until Knight managed to distract him with the treat he was carrying in his pocket. And when did he slip the pack of doggy biscuits into the pockets of his perfectly cut jacket? And was that softness I spied on his features when Tiny wolfed down the first biscuit, then looked up at him with his big, melting eyes to ask for more?
Karma pulls out one of the dresses from the rack and holds it out to me. It’s a wine-colored skirt and jacket ensemble with a pink sleeveless blouse… And they seem to be my size.
"How did you—？" I begin to ask, then notice the look on her face. "Knight?"
"Knight." She nods. "He messaged me your measurements, with strict recommendations of what he wanted to see you in."
"He did?" I rub the back of my neck. "This is very confusing. Not the dress—" I glance away, then back at her. "He really is only my boss, honestly."
"You don’t have to convince me." She peers into my features. "You’re Abby’s friend, Knight is Abby’s brother; I feel like I know the two of you, though I only met Knight once and I’ve only seen you a couple of times. So, do you mind if I say something from the perspective of my experience?" She rolls her eyes. "That came out all prissy and made me sound so old. I only meant, I’ve been through what you have, so I wanted to say, be patient."
"Oh,"—I begin to chew on my thumbnail—"afraid it’s not one of my virtues. Also, patient with what exactly?"
"With him." She jerks her chin in the direction of the doorway leading to the waiting room. "Abby’s told me what he’s been through, and if he’s half as hardheaded as my alphahole husband, you’re going to have to give him time to come around."
"Alphahole?" I bark out a laugh.
"Yep, that’s what these men are. Don’t you agree? Alpha and dominant, and hot and sexy but also, obstinate and stubborn, and willful and mulish, and sometimes, simply bloody-minded."
"I call him bosshole." I stab a thumb over my shoulder.
"I heard you." Knight’s voice reaches us through the open doorway.
We stare at each other, then burst out laughing. "Oh, my god, I had no idea he could hear us," I whisper. Also, did the alphahole crack a joke? Is he thawing? No doubt, it’s because of Tiny. Clearly, his friends knew what they were doing when they insisted he take care of the Great Dane. Nothing like the unselfish love of a fur baby to help you get in touch with your humane side. It’s also a means for him to think of something other than his past. He’s going to have to be focused on Tiny’s needs. Making sure the dog is fed and watered and walked and— Apparently, he means to take him to work, so he’ll have to keep him entertained, too. Did he think that one through? Probably not, typical man that he is.