Page 24 (1/2)

"Super You go change and I’ll pack everything else up, and then we can get started We’ve got a lot of shopping ahead of us"

She gave Audrey a disan’s instructions are, and I quote," she said, pulling out her BlackBerry and reading froets a feeeks’ worth of clothing, along with so wear You know my events calendar’" She looked up from the screen "I do, and it’s a doozy" She looked back down again and continued to read "‘Also, take her to the best bookstore in Manhattan My library needs restocking’" She looked up at Brontë in surprise "He has a library?"

"Not really," Bront&eu with her efforts not to smile like a lovesick idiot "And I really don’t need that e or two"

Audrey shook her head and waved the phone "I have my orders, and I’m afraid they truree She just took the clothes and went to change She e was elegant and yet casual The price tags had been removed, so she didn’t knohat they’d cost, but she had horrible visions of exactly howhad set Audrey back "Thanks for the clothes How ave her a look "Very funny"

"I can write you a check"

The other woman stared at her "Are you or are you not aware that you’re dating a billionaire? He has a little cash to throw around This is co from his wallet, not mine"

Brontë flushed "Just because he has the cash doesn’t mean that I want hirooman I can buy my own clothes"

Audrey arched a brow at her After aI don’t hear very often froan’s circles Huh" She shook her head, as if not quite believing her ears "Anyhow Today, the shopping is on Logan You can argue with hih, his card is the one we’re using"

Fair enough She’d go light on the shopping today to please Audrey and go back later for ood Where are we heading?"

"Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue," Audrey said pro is Do you have a preference?"

"So?"

Audrey stared at her for a minute "Oh, honey No We’ll start with your dress for the party tonight I’dorf’s or Saks And shoes We’ll definitely need soet a little pricey, so I just want you to close your eyes and re, okay?"

Brontë crossed her arms "Audrey, this makes mereally uncomfortable I don’t know that I can spend someone else’s money like this"

"I know you can’t," she said with a reassuring pat "That’s why I’ change? Usually I have to pry his girlfriends away froht he hadn’t dated much in the past year?"

"He hasn’t I’ve been with hiht, efficient so?"

They headed out, Audrey chattering adistrict Brontë tried to pay attention to Audrey’s nonstop strea in the atmosphere of New York Skyscrapers rose all around her, and the streets were crawling with pedestrians, the curb lined with cars Awnings hung over the front of aparts, and nearby someone pushed a street cart Taxis were everywhere

She’d never seen anything like it It was crazyand vibrant The city was alive with people and business, and it was like being in the center of a very slick, industrious anthill She could see why soon the street, surrounding by endless tall buildings, it truly did feel like the center of the universe

Audrey continued to chatter as they walked, barely paying attention to other pedestrians or traffic She’d been working for Logan for three and a half years, Audrey told her He was a very fair boss, though he could be deh she’d been asked to buy presents for occasional girlfriends or to e his calendar for his personal life, she confessed that she did not shop for many women, which made Brontë feel better

At least it did until Audrey added, "Especially after Danica"

Danica? Bront&eu a sick knot in her stomach "Who’s Danica?"

Audrey chewed on her lip, looking chagrined "I shouldn’t have said anything Exceptthe party tonight? You’re going to be there, and the other guests on the list? They all know about Danica, and so it up even if she doesn’t show up"

Bront&euritted her teeth and repeated herself "Who’s Danica?"