I shook my head and turned on my heels. Nadia didn't have to say more, but it was clear that she was threatening Piero in her own way. Piero raised a brow but only smiled before we left the apartment.
My stomach twisted as I slid into his car and waited for him. I couldn't believe I was actually going through with this. When Piero climbed behind the wheel, I frowned.
"I just thought of something. Your brothers have met me before, at least once or twice. Won't they remember me?"
Piero laughed. "Not even a little. My brothers are usually more worried about their own problems. I doubt they even remember what you look like." He shrugged. "And if they do, I'll just tell them it was you the whole time. I've thought this through."
I snickered. "You? Thinking things through?"
"Iamthe brains of the family," he sniffed.
"Maybe when you're not being impulsive. Like telling your family that you're with someone when you haven't gone on an actual date in ages."
Piero opened his mouth and closed it right back. I grinned, and he let out a little growl. That only made me laugh. He really was way too impulsive sometimes. I leaned down and turned up the radio, thinking about this new assignment while we drove.It should be easy enough, right?A little acting and then I’d be set for a very, very long time.
We finally stopped in front of a little boutique. I could tell by looking at the place that it was way out of my budget. I frowned as I stared in through the window transfixed on a red dress that had a strap around the neck and a slit up one side.
“Do you like that one?”
I jolted and shook my head. “It’s okay. I’m sure it costs a hell of a lot though.”
“Let me worry about that. Come on.”
When I hesitated, Piero gave an exasperated sigh and grabbed my hand. My heart sped up as his strong, warm grip enveloped mine. I stared down at his hand for a minute and then quickly followed along so I wouldn’t get dragged into the store. Once we were inside, he immediately called a girl over.
“She needs a whole new wardrobe from top to bottom. Take her measurements, and then put together some options for her.” Piero glanced in the window. “And she’d like to try on that dress.”
The woman smiled, and I could practically see the dollar signs in her eyes. “Right away, sir. I’ll get it for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I mumbled when she walked away. “Do I really need so much?”
“You want to make a good first impression, don’t you?” Piero sat down on a chair and relaxed. “Think of this as a bonus. When you’re done, of course you can keep all of the clothes and accessories.”
I bit my lip. All of them? I turned to a rack and ran my hand over a blue dress. When I picked up the tag, I gasped and dropped it again. Four thousand dollars! That was months of rent for me.
“Stop looking at the prices and go try that dress on.” I turned to him as he nodded toward the waiting saleswoman. “Go on, we don’t have all day.”
I sighed. “I’m going.”
There was no point in arguing with the man. When he made his mind up about something, it didn’t change. I carried the dress into the changing room and wiggled out of my clothes. The dress slipped on perfectly, but I could only get the zipper halfway up.
“Can you zip this for me?” I called through the curtain.
“Come on out and I’ll do it.”
I glanced at myself in the mirror. I really did look pretty nice in the dress. It was sleeveless and showed off quite a bit of thigh as well. Even my waist looked smaller, and my figure curvy. I ran a hand down my hips and smiled at my reflection.
“I guess I do look pretty nice.” I tucked a strand behind my ear. “Alright, here I come.”