Page 116 of Zach
All eyes are on us.” He tips his chin at me, eyes roaming down the dress I’m wearing. It’s the bug
one, his least favorite of all of them, judging by his wince every time he looks at it. I have an inkling
of where this is going, and I’m already feeling itchy.
“You’re there representing us. The way you look…everything about you reflects on The Brash
Group. You’ve proven yourself to be a brilliant marketer, but first impressions and appearance
matter.”
“I understand that,” I say, crossing my arms under my breasts.
“Do you? Because it doesn’t seem like it from where I’m standing.” He cuts off my attempt to
defend myself. “It doesn’t matter. You need something suitable for tomorrow. You’re coming with
me.”
Dread pools in my stomach, and a rough chuckle escapes him. “Jesus, you’d think I just kicked
your dog.” I flinch at the mention of dogs. Does he know? Did he say it on purpose?No, he’s not
cruel. It’s a coincidence.“It’s just shopping, Maya. A free outfit. Most women would kill for an all-
expense paid shopping trip on me.”
“Right, it’s just shopping. No big deal.” I can do this. I can be the person he needs me to be
tomorrow. I move toward him, mentally preparing myself for the ordeal to come, but he stops me with
a hand on my arm. My eyes fly to his, and he lets go like his fingers are singed.
“Where are your shoes, Maya?” he asks, eyes flicking from my feet back to my face. I curl my toes
into the rough carpet and drop my gaze. His heavy sigh doesn’t surprise me. What does surprise me is
the heat rising in my cheeks. I stopped caring about what people thought of me a long time ago. Even
last week, his disapproval and frustration with me didn’t penetrate that deeply. But today, I feel
exposed. Like I’ve let him down, and I’m embarrassed with myself.
I open my mouth and do something I promised myself I would stop doing. Apologize. “I’m sorry.
I’ll find them.” I spin, ducking down to search under tables and in corners, my face on fire.
A fairy godmother would come in handy right about now. Someone who could wave her wand and
turn me into someone normal. I don’t need to be exceptional or beautiful. Just a normal human being
who can wear anything and keep her shoes on her feet. But my life isn’t a fairy tale, no matter how
much I wish it was.
“Maya,” he says. I ignore him, furiously blinking back tears. “Maya.” His tone this time makes it
clear ignoring him is not an option. I stand, arms dangling, and stare at the middle of his chest. He
