Tailored for Trouble: A Romantic Comedy (Happy Pants) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Page B

and then placed them in her purse.
    “Ms. Reed?” Robin stood in the doorway. “Here is your check for fifty thousand dollars, the invitation for the ball, and the limo confirmation.”
    Taylor lifted a brow. “Sorry?”
    “Oh, is there a mistake? Mr. Wade said your fee was fifty thousand. If that’s incorrect I’ll just call him and—”
    “Uh. No. The amount is fine. Thank you.”
He knew I’d cave! That check was waiting, just like he was waiting for me to come today. Ugh.
The man was good. A damned gifted genius at reading people. “Wait. Did you say ball?”
    Robin held out a red envelope. “The annual Wade charity ball. Here’s your ticket, and the limo will be at your brother’s house at eight o’clock. My card’s inside if you need anything else.”
    A charity ball?
And he knew where she lived? Of course he did.
Stalker.
    “I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Taylor said. “Bennett told me we’d be working tonight.”
    “No mistake. Mr. Wade said you’d have time to work right after his speech.”
    Weird, but okay, fine. He had mentioned they’d be squeezing the training into his busy schedule.
    “I don’t have anything fancy to wear,” Taylor said. “Is a plain suit okay?”
    Robin smiled knowingly and urged her to take the envelope. “You’ll have nothing to worry about; Mr. Wade thinks of everything—he’s a very thoughtful man.”
    The comment threw her off. Robin seemed like a kind and genuine person. Why would someone like her think so highly of a man like Bennett?
    He’s probably sleeping with her.
The thought mildly irritated her, and yes, she understood how ridiculous her irritation was.
    “Thank you.” Taylor snagged the envelope and hurried out of the office. There was just too much Bennett Wade testosterone in the air. She couldn’t breathe.
    On the elevator ride down, she looked inside the envelope and found a handwritten letter.
Ms. Reed,
    I look forward to receiving your personalized leadership training. I am confident by week’s end, you’ll have me connecting with my inner-Taylor and leading my people in a more effective, fulfilling manner.
    As mentioned, I am in the midst of working on a very strategic and time-consuming deal—something that will change many lives along with my own. Therefore, I’d like to thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience. As my first session with you will need to occur between cocktails and dinner, and I cannot expect you to come up with the appropriate attire on such short notice, I’ve arranged for my good friend Calvin to fit you for a dress this afternoon. He’ll be waiting in the Penthouse Suite at the Fairmont with several dress options.
    I look forward to our time together. See you tonight.
    BW
    Taylor stared at the letter, feeling the heat of that red hot jalapeño singeing her fingertips through the paper.
Ball, dress, limo?
    She pinched the bridge of her nose. Her mind was suddenly filled with images that twirled precariously close to the date zone—dancing, laughing, sipping champagne, dry humping each other.
    No. You need to establish clear boundaries. Especially if you’re going to be spending so much time with him.
Not that she wanted anything from him romantically. It was simply a question of maintaining the control he seemed to delight in undermining.
    As soon as she stepped outside the building, she slid her cell-phone from her pocket and called the number on Robin’s business card. “Hi, Robin. It’s Taylor. Would you let Bennett know that I appreciate the generous offer, but I’ll be finding my own dress and driving myself to our first session tonight?”
    “Uh…of course, Ms. Reed,” she said worriedly. “I’ll let Mr. Wade know.”
    Taylor interpreted Robin’s response to mean: “Oh boy. Mr. Wade isn’t going to be happy.”
    She thanked Robin and ended the call. Now all she had to do was set the boundaries with Bennett tonight.
Lesson number one: Know your own