From Fake to Forever (Newlywed Games 2)

“Hurst is a long way from wedding dresses.”

The disdain was thick. Meredith enjoyed working for Cara and liked wedding dresses, but she flicked a hand and bit back the name she’d really like to call Avery. “Honey, that scene is so limited. You know. Same fabrics, same colors. Same indecisive brides. This is where all the action is. Designers at Hurst House know what they want and how to do it and don’t let anyone stand in their way. I’d like to learn that.”

Avery’s eyes glittered brighter than Meredith’s dress. “Interesting. You’re the first designer’s assistant I’ve met who understands fashion is about more than the clothes. It’s about owning your designs. No apologies.”

Nodding, Meredith went with it, though it was really the first time she’d articulated how she felt about the fashion industry. “That’s what makes working for Allo so amazing. You can feel the energy in the room. When he’s creating, he makes no mistakes. It’s brilliant simply because he believes that it is.”

Avery seemed intrigued for God knew what reason.

“You know, if you’re eager to learn from a mentor, I’m working on a project and I need a fresh perspective.” Avery evaluated Meredith coolly. “It’s hush-hush, though. I need someone who doesn’t mind long, grueling hours far past the time regular people go home. I call the shots, you listen and follow my instructions to the letter. It’s a chance to see what really goes on at a major house like Hurst. Behind the scenes. Interested?”

Not for any amount of money did she want to hole up in Avery’s office at midnight. Especially since she had a sneaking suspicion Avery had only made the offer to keep an eye on her. Meredith must have tripped Avery’s radar somehow. Why else would Jason’s sister waste an opportunity like this on a new hire?

But Jason was paying her in currency far more valuable than mere money, and this was her golden opportunity to keep an eye on Avery in turn, regardless of the woman’s suspicious motives. “I’m your girl. Long hours don’t scare me. I don’t even own a watch.”

“I’ll be in touch. You’ll keep working for Allo, but we’ll come to some agreement about your after-hours compensation. Welcome to Hurst House.” Avery smiled and excused herself.

And now Meredith had three bosses. Four if you counted Cara, who was patiently waiting for Meredith to rejoin the wedding-dress business.

Meredith’s head swam. For a woman who’d been floundering, she certainly seemed to have found a life raft full of opportunities.

Five

Meredith and Avery talked far longer than Jason would have ever put money on. And Avery looked far too satisfied with the conversation for his comfort.

What were they saying to each other? Had Avery dropped any worthwhile information into the mix? No. Surely not. She’d just met Meredith, and Avery wasn’t much of a blabbermouth. Everything she did came about through careful calculation.

Finally, his sister and Meredith parted, and Avery’s smile was enigmatic and dangerous. He didn’t like it. Anytime his sister smiled, it made him nervous.

His mother snapped her fingers in his face. “Earth to Jason.”

“Sorry. I’m a little distracted.” He refocused on Bettina and tried to put Meredith out of his mind.

With an indulgent smile, Bettina swirled her club soda and lime. “Yes, that’s certainly one way to describe Avery’s gorgeous new friend. As I was saying...”

She launched into a lengthy speech about ideas for her new swimwear line targeted at younger girls. Jason offered a half-formed opinion, wondering how his mother had known he was watching Meredith when he’d been careful to give everyone the opposite impression. Obviously, he was slipping.

Swimwear. That’s what he needed to be thinking about. Bettina had been running the company for two years and was ready to jump back into the design side. Perfect timing, in Jason’s mind. If she eased away from her CEO role, he could slide right into the gap, ready to take over and execute his merger plans. His mother needed confidence in him and a new project to keep her busy.

Then Meredith left the ballroom in a swish of glittery dress and mahogany hair and Jason left his mother midsentence with a terse, “Be right back.”

He had to know what Avery said to Meredith. The suspense was killing him.

Meredith ducked into the ladies’ room, forcing Jason to cool his heels in the hall. He sipped his martini and tried to pretend he was getting some air.

When Meredith’s distinctive dress flashed in his peripheral vision, he tilted his head toward the opposite end of the hall, away from the ballroom. He strolled in that direction without looking over his shoulder to be sure she was following him. She better be.