Page 52 of Mafia and Gold Digger

“No, dear, it’s not that,” she says quickly. “It’s just people come in with their pets, and the pets often get excited, especially the doggies. And they’re always jumping up onto people. Your clothes would get ruined in no time. And you wouldn’t want to ruin your beautiful expensive dresses, would you?”

I wave a hand. “It doesn’t matter if it gets ruined. I’ll just get a new one.”

Her brow wrinkles. “I’m not sure that the salary I pay would enable you to buy such expensive clothes…”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got a very generous boyfriend.”

“Oh, is it someone local? I might know him. After all, I’ve lived here all my life and know just about everyone.”

“No, he’s…um…new in town. His name’s McKinley.” I cross my fingers behind my back.

“McKinley? That’s the name of the biggest department store in town. What a coincidence!”

“Yes, what a coincidence.” A strained laugh leaves my lips. “So, what about the job?” She still doesn’t look convinced. “I’m a hard worker. If you give me a trial for a week, I’ll prove it to you. Please?”

She sighs. “Well, I do need help around the place. My arthritis has been playing up something terrible…”

“Great!” I trill. “I can start tomorrow morning.”

Her expression drops with disappointment. “You can’t start right away?”

“I would if I could, but I have a prior engagement,” I say with a regretful smile. And after I agree with her to start tomorrow at 9 a.m., I head straight to the store to go shoplifting for a new dress for my first day at work. Because I really should make an effort to look my best, right?

* * *

Standing in McKinley’s department store, my pulse starts racing as I take in the sight of the dresses on the second floor. Silk, satin, and sequins shimmer under the bright lights, all ripe to be lifted by my French-tipped fingers. I know I shouldn’t be doing this. My stealing has been out of control since I left New York. My stress levels are through the roof, and stealing is one of the only things that manages to soothe me. I know God is going to send me to hell for all my sins, but I just don’t know how to stop stealing…

I take my time, running my hands over the luxurious fabrics. I decide on a silk number in a shade calledSunset Serendipity, and slipping it off the hanger, I stuff it into my capacious purse.

I really should be buying more casual clothes for the job and to help me keep a low profile around the town, but there’s something about sparkly dresses that always draws me in.

A dress in a shade of pale pink catches my eye next—it would be perfect for Winifred. She did look a little underdressed in her plain dress and apron. Just because she’s old, it doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t look fabulous.

I’m about to grab the pink dress when I see an assistant tracking me with her beady eyes.Uh oh. And I decide to leave before anyone stops me and demands to search my bag.

* * *

Maybe people wouldn’t guess it, but it turns out that I was made for working in a pet store.

All the animals that come in absolutely love me. And all the pet owners have told Winifred that they love my sunny smile and welcoming manner. Winifred even finds a chair to put behind the cash register after I tell her how hard it is standing all day in my extremely high heels. It really is the perfect job for me.

We’re in the back room one afternoon. I’ve just made us a pot of tea, and I’m setting out on a plate the cream cakes I bought from the bakery down the street.

Winifred’s oldest cat, Hector, jumps up onto my lap and drags his claws along the sequins on my dress. “I wore this dress today especially for you because I know how much you adore sequins,” I coo at him as he rubs his fluffy head against my hand. Then I let him lick a tiny bit of cream off my finger, and he rewards me with a deep rumbling purr.

“I have to say, you’ve been such a success with all the customers.” Winifred smiles at me. “Business is really up since you started working here. And I do love this pink dress you got me.” She smooths the luxurious fabric across her lap. “Are you sure your boyfriend didn’t mind paying for it?”

I beam at her. “McKinley didn’t, er, mind at all. He loves letting me spend his fortune.”

“But he also paid for all those other dresses for me—the blue dress, the yellow dress, the green dress, and the mauve dress,” Winifred replies. “He really is much too generous.”

I give a small dismissive wave. “Think nothing of it.”

“You really must bring McKinley in to meet me, so that I can thank him in person.”

“He’s, er, a bit busy right now, but maybe in a couple of weeks, okay?” Oh God, I feel terrible for lying to her, especially after she took a chance on me and gave me this job.

“That would be lovely,” she says in her sweet voice, and I smile back at her.

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