Page 21 of Fourth Point Of Contact

“First, it doesn’t reference bison. Second, he took things from me that I want returned. Important things. And I’m not leaving until I have my things back.”

“And you think he kept it on his desk?”

“He made all the arrangements while I was out of the office, which means wherever he sent my things, there could be verification in his office. If I leave now, I can get in before him and slip out without him ever knowing I was there.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “I’ll help you, but for the love of sexy men everywhere, put on something other than yoga pants and a t-shirt. If he sees you, he should regret letting you go, not thank his lucky stars that he dropped your ass for a well-mannered London girl.”

“Trust me, there is nothing well-mannered about her. Besides, what does it matter if I look beautiful? It’s not like I want him back, and I can’t show up in a ball gown.”

“Fine. Dress like a slob. Walk in with raccoon eyes. Maybe it’ll disguise who you really are.”

She walked out of the bedroom and I rushed over to the bathroom, gasping when I saw the horrible makeup smears on my face. “I look like a zombie,” I whispered.

“Five minutes!” Jeanie called out.

I rushed through washing my face and smearing on lotion, then rummaged through her closet for something that didn’t make me look like I was doing the walk of shame at the end of a long night of partying. She had a point about looking good when I saw James. Not that I cared. I didn’t want to admit that I cared what he thought of me, but those feelings didn’t just disappear overnight.

I snagged a modest black dress that didn’t say I was trying too hard. It would also help me blend in with the other employees. I snorted to myself. Like no one would notice me because I was wearing a black dress. Sure. I tugged it on and examined myself in the mirror. I didn’t look too bad.

“Are you coming?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow at me from the doorway.

“I just need to find some shoes.”

Grumbling to herself, she walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of red high-heeled shoes, looking at them longingly before handing them over. “These are my favorite pair. Don’t ruin them.”

I stared at them in wonder. They were the coveted heels that she got at a sale, barely snatching them from some grabby bitch who would have cut her hand off to get them first. They had to cost at least five hundred dollars, but she got them for a hundred.

“Really?”

“Don’t make me regret this. And if you tear a hole in my dress, we’re gonna have a big problem.”

I perked up immediately, smiling brightly at her. “I swear, it’ll be returned in pristine condition.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed and bit my lip as I very carefully pulled on the beautiful heels. They fit perfectly, and the moment I stood, I felt like Cinderella.

If Cinderella hadn’t just been dumped by her cheating fiancé.

“Piper!”

“Coming!”

I rushed after her to the elevator, already sweating from the way the armpits of the dress pressed into my skin. But it would be worth it if I ran into James, which I was totally not planning. She tossed my purse at me just as I stepped on. The large brown hobo bag was also something James hadn’t liked, but I’d had it for years and I didn’t want to give it up.

“Are you ready for this?”

“I was born for this.”

“This is going to fail,” she muttered. “I’m going to get caught and lose my job.”

“Not a chance. I’m like a ninja.”

“A drunk ninja.” She turned to me, grasping me by the arms. “Just promise me that whatever you do, you won’t leave any evidence behind.”

“I swear it.”

We stepped off the elevators, and I was relieved when she flagged down a cab. “You’re too hungover for walking today,” she said as she slipped inside. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

“I’ll pay you back for all of this. I swear.”

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