“You really think this could help Dover?” Heather asked.
Linda nodded. “I do. Our new product line has just come out and, even though we haven’t gotten official numbers yet, things look sluggish. It might simply be a natural dip in the market, but Dover hasn’t experienced dips like this. At least not in the past.”
“It’s the scandal, isn’t it?” Heather’s shoulders sagged.
“Possibly,” Linda said.
“This is my fault,” she said.
“There’s a way to fix things,” Linda said. “And you’re the best person to do that. I really believe this. We need to win the media back to our side. I...” She tapped her chin as she thought. “I really think this could work. Right now, Heather is a media darling. They won’t believe the ex—they’ll say he’s just jealous. They may put you in higher regard when you don’t respond to his accusations.”
Or they could roast you over hot coals. Simon kept the thought to himself.
Heather let out a long, shaky breath. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Good.” Linda smiled and rubbed her hands together. “Our first task is to get you a makeover.”
HEATHER’S FACE FELL. “A makeover? Me?”
“Of course,” Linda said. “The reunion invitation said semi-formal. You’ll have to get dressed up.”
“I think I can dress myself.” Heather did her best to keep the annoyance out of her voice, but Linda was glancing at her with judgment flashing in her eyes.
Linda sniffed derisively. “I’ve seen how you dress.”
“What’s wrong with how I dress?” Heather narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.
When Simon started chuckling she gave him her iciest glare.
“Now you know how it feels,” he said.
Ugh. He looked positively smug now that the shoe was on the other foot. Her boss was enjoying her discomfort a little too much.
“Nothing’s wrong with how you dress,” Linda said quickly, in a less than reassuring tone. “You have a fantastic figure, but for some reason you have a tendency to dress on the drab, geeky side.”
Heather pursed her lips. “I’m a conservative dresser at work. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. If you’re a nun.” Linda looked her over, sizing her up with silent disapproval.
Heather bristled. She never would have agreed to this reunion scheme if she knew they’d insist on changing everything about her. There was nothing wrong with her wardrobe. She liked looking professional. Even if that did mean she disappeared into the background. “I don’t like being at the center of attention, okay? I’m completely fine with looking nun-like.”
Linda snorted. “Nobody is fine with looking nun-like. Not even nuns.”
A loud noise that sounded almost identical to a bark of laughter escaped Simon’s throat, making Heather frown. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” she snapped.
Simon cleared his throat. “Of course not.”
When his lips started twitching she glared at him.
“I can’t afford fancy clothes,” Heather said, desperate to get them to change their minds.
“I’ll take care of the expense.” Simon reached into this jacket pocket and retrieved a credit card that he set on the table. “You can buy as many clothes as you like, Heather. It’s on me. Sorry, it’s on the company’s tab.”
“But—”
“I insist.” There was a devilish glint in his blue eyes.
Oh, she could see it now. Linda cramming her into a too-tight dress and shoes she couldn’t walk in. This was a nightmare. Inwardly she cursed Gary for his jealousy and pettiness. If only she could wring his neck without hurting Finn.
“Are you going to try to cut my hair?” Heather demanded. “Because I absolutely draw the line at touching my hair.”
“You have lovely hair so, no, we aren’t going to cut it,” Linda said. “The color is a bit on the mousy side, though, so we’ll add some highlights—”
“There’s nothing wrong with Heather’s hair,” Simon growled, coming to her rescue. “I might be getting a kick out of seeing her have to wear some clothes she hates, but there’s nothing wrong with how she looks.”