Page 54 of Tango

The PA rounded her desk, a measuring tape dangling from her fingers.

“Dr. Phillips, if you would hold your arms up to the sides? I’ll start by measuring your chest, then under your breasts, your waist, and your hips. How tall are you?”

“Five, five.”

With each measurement, the number was written in neat cursive on a pad.

“You’re a solid size six, so that will make fitting you in such a short time frame easier. What is your shoe size?

“Eight and a half.”

“Perfect, Dr. Phillips. I’ll call over to Mrs. Harcourt-Swain’s stylist and give her this information.” She held up her phone. “May I take a picture of you, so she knows your coloring and posture?”

Posture?

“Sure.” Piper stood against the wall as the PA took pictures of her front, side, back, and other side.

“This should be good.” She offered Piper a flat-lipped smile, then went back to her seat.

Owen had stood by the office door, watching it all, and seemed amused by her discomfiture as he led her back out into the hall.

Piper couldn’t wait to get down to the reception hall, collect Vivian, and get out of there.

At least she wasn’t hiding out in the bathroom, pregnant and puking. “Count your blessings,” Piper muttered.

“Yes, ma’am,” Owen said, probably thinking she meant that he hadn’t needed measuring. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Chapter Fourteen

Piper

Later That Evening

The limo had pulled away from the curb in front of Piper’s building.

The neighborhood kids stared after it, frozen in place as if they were playing statues instead of kick the can.

They’d probably never seen a car like that other than in the movies.

After the limo turned the corner, the spell broke. The kids ran back down the road, playing their games, and Piper was left holding the literal bag.

Its glossy surface and bright colored tissue paper sat beside her, looking like a birthday gift.

When Piper heard Chanti’s whistle, she turned to see her friend walking home with a grocery sack in her arms. “Hey.”

“Hi.” Piper exhaled.

Chanti reached over, tipping the gift bag to read the logo, then let out a low whistle. “You decided to spend a year’s salary on an outfit?”

“Today at Alabaster, I was informed that I’d be giving a speech tomorrow at a luncheon. There’s going to be tons of press present, so I can tell my feel-good story of hope through chemistry and the largess of Harcourt Alabaster—that part is true. I’m very grateful. But since I,” Piper tapped the bag, “will be representing Harcourt Alabaster, which is, in case you’ve forgotten, a beauty and cosmetics company—”

“Oh?”

“I should not look dry when I give my speech. The PA sent me home with enough goop to slather on my body that tonight in my sleep, I will probably turn into a snake.”

“Thanks for the warning. And the bag?”

“I was measured by a PA, and this is the result. Apparently, whatever is in here will make me respectable.”