The woman beamed, her eyes widening as she took in the platinum card.
Inside her office, Indigo could not concentrate on the figures. He was a few feet outside her tiny office, browsing in her store. He had taken the time to stop by and was waiting for her.
She needed an emergency session. Picking up the phone, she called her best friend.
"Hey."
"He's here," she whispered.
"Who's here and why are you whispering?"
"My husband. Brant is here in my store."
"Oh. That's good. Why is he there?"
"He came to tell me about a function we have to attend later, and he bought me a necklace and matching earrings. And I think he's buying something more."
"That's a good thing."
"What do you think it means?"
"It means he has the resources and admires your excellent taste."
"Not that." She waved it aside impatiently and pushed away the papers. "Why do you think he stopped by?"
"You said he wanted to tell you about the function. What do you think it means? More importantly, what do you want it to mean?"
Sighing softly, she sat on the edge of the desk. "I've been trying to tell myself, no, to remind myself that this is just business. We spent Christmas Day together and had dinner at his mom's, who, by the way, still does not like me. And after we came back home, he said goodnight and went straight to his rooms.
"It's been four days and I haven't seen him until now. I don't know what to think or even how to act. I like him, Jules. I really, really like him."
"You're attracted to him."
"I shouldn't be. He wouldn't be interested in someone like me."
"I hate when you do that," her friend said sharply.
"Do what?"
"Put yourself down. You're a frigging catch."
She smiled at that. "He's Brant O'Keefe, a man who's been with hundreds of beautiful and rich women from his society. It's not that I'm putting myself down; I know my worth. It's that I'm being realistic. He would not be interested in someone like me, and it would be a mistake to think or hope otherwise."
"You live with the guy, so naturally there will be sparks."
"I don't know. I've been trying to be a friend, to tell myself that's enough."
"But it's not taking. The guy's hot."
"He is." She sighed. "Anyway, I have to go. I will pop around there tomorrow."
"Looking forward to it. Wear something spectacular."
"I'm planning to."
She left the office ten minutes after she spoke to Juliet and stopped short when she noticed the number of packages on the padded seat next to him. He was on his device, fingers moving rapidly, a frown of concentration on his forehead. It took him a while to notice her standing there.
"You bought out the store."