Worth the Challenge (9 page)

“Nothing much.” She wasn’t sure what the woman was getting at, but figured it was best to be honest.

“I’d love to get together with you and take you shopping.”

Ella frowned. “Shopping?” she asked weakly. That sounded like her every nightmare come to life. “I’m not really…equipped to do any shopping at the moment.”

“If you’re worried about money, don’t be,” Tessa said gently. “I completely understand, I’ve been there, trust me. This little shopping excursion will be funded by the Worth Luxury expense account.”

“Oh.” Shock coursed through Ella and she cleared her throat. Who was Tessa Worth, some sort of fairy godmother? “I’m not sure I understand. What exactly are we supposed to be shopping for?”

“Why, clothes for your trip to Maui. Considering how last minute this entire adventure has turned into, Rhett knew you wouldn’t have a chance to return home and gather your personal belongings. He thought it was the right gesture to help you acquire a proper wardrobe.”

Humiliation washed through her and she was thankful Tessa couldn’t see her. Her cheeks were hot. She knew she looked a flushed, red mess. “Thank you for offering, but I should probably decline.”

“Oh please, don’t decline.” Tessa’s voice lowered, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. “This is my chance to escape for a little while. I love my daughter, I love my husband, but it’s been so long since I’ve done something fun just for me—like shop. Too long. Please say you’ll come with me. We’ll have a great time, I promise.”

Ella figured the Worths had a fleet of nannies to take care of their precious daughter. And fun? That was the last word she would associate with shopping. “But where will we go?”

“I know of a few stores where we can find exactly what you need. And if you’d like, we could grab some dinner after we’re finished.”

Shopping and dinner with the CEO’s wife? This was getting weirder by the minute. “I don’t know…”

“I’ll have a car sent over to the hotel. It’ll be there to pick you up in thirty minutes,” Tessa said firmly. “Don’t say no.”

Ella sighed and gave in. “Okay. I’ll go.”

“I promise, you won’t regret it,” Tessa said before she hung up.

That was the problem. She knew she wouldn’t regret it. Tessa Worth sounded like a nice woman. And though she was uncomfortable at the idea of spending so much one-on-one time with Tessa, she couldn’t help but wonder what exactly her motives were.

Realizing she had approximately twenty-eight minutes before the car arrived, Ella jumped in the shower and changed into the same black dress she’d worn when she first met with the Worths. Twisting her damp, slightly unruly hair into a topknot, she attempted to put on a bit of makeup, making a face at her reflection in the still-steamy mirror when she saw the smudged mascara beneath her right eye.

She was hopeless. Rubbing at the black dots beneath her eye, she then tossed the tissue into the trash and slicked on some lip balm. Smudged mascara and Chapstick, that was her lackluster makeup regimen.

The surely impeccable Tessa Worth would take one look at her and declare she needed a makeover. Ella could hear it now. Yes, she enjoyed the thought of new clothes, but she didn’t know what was in style and probably couldn’t pull it off anyway. Plus, she didn’t want anything flashy or expensive.

She was a simple girl with simple needs—and she’d become that way out of necessity, nothing more.

The concierge called exactly twenty-eight minutes later, announcing the car was waiting for her in front of the hotel. Nerves eating at her insides, she slipped on her black flats and headed down to the lobby, feeling as if she were facing a firing squad, she was so scared.

What if Tessa hated her? What if she saw her boring dress and shoes and started laughing? Ella would die. Wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Tessa whipped out her cell to call Rhett and ask why in the world did he hire this mouse of a girl.

God, she hadn’t felt this inadequate since…forever.

The driver greeted her when she stepped outside, the sticky warmth of the late-afternoon air, the buzz of activity and noise of the bustling city streets making her head swim. The friendly man led her over to the car, opening the door so she could slip inside.

A woman waited for her within the confines of the car.

Tessa Worth.

“Hi.” She smiled warmly and held out a slender hand once Ella settled herself in her seat. “I’m Tessa.”

“Ella.” She took her hand, gave it a firm shake.

“Cute nickname.” Her dark brown eyes were friendly. “I take it you don’t like to shop?”

“I loathe it,” Ella said vehemently.

Tessa laughed and shook her head, the giant gold hoops in her ears swinging with the movement. “I promise I won’t torture you. There’s one store in particular I want to take you to. I think you’ll love it.”

“I hope it’s nothing too crazy. My style is fairly—basic.” Understatement of the year. She was a drab nothing compared to the glamorous—and deceptively simple—outfit Tessa wore. Chic blue-and-white-striped top and expensive-looking jeans, a variety of gold bracelets dangling from her wrists and a giant diamond twinkling on her ring finger, she was the epitome of the young, rich society wife.

“I agree,” Tessa said, her gaze narrowed as she contemplated Ella. “Simple is a good look on you. Too much would overwhelm your delicate features.”

Ella’s mouth popped open at the unexpected compliment. “Um, thank you?”

Tessa cocked her head, her gaze assessing but definitely not judgmental. “You’re not used to this sort of scrutiny, are you?”

“Not at all.” Ella shook her head. “I still don’t understand why you’re taking me shopping. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

“Trust me. I need this as much as you do.” Tessa leaned in close. “Do you want to know why I’m doing this?”

“I think so. Maybe?” Dread swept down her spine as she waited for Tessa’s explanation.

“Rhett called me this morning asking for advice. He was worried about you. Afraid you were lonely, cooped up in your hotel room all weekend. So he thought you might enjoy going out for a bit.”

“W-why should Rhett Worth care if I’m lonely or not?” The realization startled her. That he actually called his sister-in-law seeking advice, voicing his concerns about her? When she was just a woman he hired, a woman who had minimal experience and a lot to prove?

It stunned her.

Okay fine, there was also that kiss but it had been so brief, he probably forgot all about it. Just like she had.

Or so she tried to convince herself.

“He can be very thoughtful when he puts his mind to it.” The secretive smile that curled Tessa’s lips intrigued Ella, but she decided not to question it. “He knew if he called you and made the same request as I did, you’d turn him down flat.”

“He’d be right,” Ella said without thought.

Tessa’s smile grew. “He seems to know you pretty well then.”

Ella shrugged. She didn’t want to elaborate. The dinner meeting was like a blur now, her memory hindered by the over-consumption of wine. It was better that way. Helped her forget the flirtatious banter, the looks, how she tried to throw herself at him in the back of the cab…

Best if she forgot all about that.

“You’re leaving in the morning and I’m sure there are things you’re in need of. Beachwear, a swimsuit, shorts and tank tops.” Tessa rattled off each item like a shopping list. “Do you need some personal products as well?”

Ella’s cheeks heated. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, I meant stocking up on toiletries. I’m going to assume you packed for only a few days, right?”

Ella nodded silently.

“I’ll take you to Duane Reade. You can pick up whatever you need there. They have it all,” Tessa said, referring to the drugstore chain.

“Are you sure you don’t mind doing this for me?” Ella asked, her voice small, hating that she sounded so worried, so damn needy.

It was embarrassing.

“Listen.” Tessa rested her hand on Ella’s arm, giving it a light squeeze. “I used to be you. Not so long ago either. They may be intimidating with that aura of power and wealth that emanates from all three of them, but they’re truly the kindest, most thoughtful men I know.”

A dreamy smile drifted across Tessa’s face. She spoke of her husband and his brothers so sweetly but of course, they were her family. And she was madly in love with Alex. Their story still fueled the media, what with how in love with each other they still seemed.

A stab of jealousy pierced her. To have someone love her so much, so unconditionally, she had no idea what that was like. Not even her father was that devoted to her. He preferred his garden to her though he would never admit it.

“Well, this is certainly very kind of him. Of all of them, but especially you,” Ella finally said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Tessa patted her arm. “I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of you anyway. Think of this as a way for us to get to know each other.”

Ella was left to ponder that mysterious statement for the rest of the car ride.

“You’re monopolizing my wife on a Sunday evening.” His big brother did not sound pleased. “Her daughter misses her mommy.”

“More like her husband misses having Mommy around to take care of their daughter,” Rhett muttered as he glanced out the window yet again. He’d been waiting at the restaurant for the last twenty minutes, nursing his now watered-down drink. Where the hell were they? “Come on down here, old man, and meet us for dinner. They haven’t shown up yet. You still have time.”

“The nanny is off for the evening.” Rhett knew they rarely used a nanny at all, Tessa preferring to take care of Charlotte’s every need. “And just so you know, they’re running late.” Oh, now Alex sounded pleased that he knew something Rhett didn’t. “It took longer than they originally planned.”

“Is Tessa enjoying herself?” Is Gabriella? He wished he could ask, but he was uncomfortable with it so avoided the unspoken question altogether.

He didn’t want Alex to make any assumptions. It was bad enough he’d put this shopping trip together. Tessa hadn’t missed a beat after he made his request earlier this morning when he called her, agreeing to take Gabriella out despite her husband’s weak protests in the background.

“She said she’s having fun, but feels bad for putting Ella through so much torture. I guess she doesn’t enjoy shopping.” Alex snorted his disbelief.

“Huh.” That was unheard of amongst the women he knew. Any one of them would’ve jumped at the chance to spend Worth money on whatever they desired.

Well, he told Tessa to phrase it so Ella would think the money came from Worth Luxury. But he was funding everything himself.

Why, he still wasn’t sure.

Because you like her, asshole.

“If Hunter catches wind of this, he’ll question you like a dogged detective with new evidence on a cold case,” Alex said.

“Rather vivid imagination you have now, don’t you?” Rhett chuckled. He sat at a table in the bar of a small trendy restaurant downtown. Tessa had a preference for the Asian fusion place, though it really wasn’t his style. The décor was minimalist, the seating scant and the menu was more on the experimental side.

Which translated to extremely small portions that cost way too much money. He usually left restaurants like this still hungry. Considering his past habits, he’d probably grab a slice of pizza before he headed home.

“Don’t keep my wife long,” Alex growled into the phone, making Rhett smile. He enjoyed riling Alex up when it came to Tessa. He loved that woman with his heart and soul and had no problem showing it. “You owe me.”

“I’ll ship you home a pineapple from Hawaii,” Rhett joked, earning a loud click for his sarcastic offer.

His brother had hung up on him, though he knew not to take offense. Just some good old-fashioned ribbing, he was thankful they could joke and feel easy with each other once more.

He wished he could get that back with Hunter. Not that he every really had it…

“There you are!”

Tessa’s familiar voice rang out and he turned to see her gliding toward him, a giant smile lighting her face, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. She wrapped him up in a bear hug the moment he stood and he had no choice but to embrace her briefly before she settled in the seat across from him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” She took a sip from the glass of water that sat in front of her on the table. “I’m starving.”

Good luck with that at this restaurant. “Where’s Gabriella?”

Tessa smiled mischievously. “In the bathroom. She said she wanted to wash up.” She paused for a moment, her gaze direct. “I think she’s afraid to see you.”

Rhett frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“What’s really going on with you two?” Tessa cut right to the chase. “You don’t ask me to take just anyone shopping. You’ve never made any sort of request like this, ever. Is she special to you?”

“She works for us, Tessa. That’s it.” He said each word slowly, as if trying to convince her there was nothing more to it.

More like trying to convince himself.