Can't Buy Me Love by Lillard Amy

Author:Lillard, Amy [Lillard, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amy Lillard
Published: 2013-08-16T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Blake watched the screen closely as the previous year’s queen crowned the young blonde haired woman. The emcee handed her a large bouquet of creamy white roses as tears of joy streamed down her face.

The Miss Illinois Pageant.

Blake pressed the pause button to freeze the picture.

The woman before him looked so different than Page that had he not known for a fact they were identical twins…

He supposed they looked somewhat alike, but whereas Lydia was perfectly made up, tawny hair highlighted, and aqua eyes fringed with mascara, he had never seen Paige in makeup. Even at the opera benefit. Despite their differences—or maybe because of them—he found Paige more intriguing. How was that for strange?

“Paige designed that dress? My Paige?”

Noah handed him the thin manila envelope. “It’s all in here. Or at least what the investigator could find in three days.”

He accepted the packet of information without taking his eyes off the magnificent dress. “Did he find out where she went to school?”

“She didn’t.”

Blake pointed to the screen. “You mean she designed that dress, mixed those colors and has never been trained?”

Noah nodded. “She spent a lot of time in Africa. That’s natural talent right there. Looks like you married the jackpot.”

Blake stared at the TV screen, at the dress and the young woman captured there.

“So when are you going to offer her the job?”

“Tonight.”

“At the party?”

Blake stood and checked his watch. “I’d forgotten about the party.”

“You could turn it into a nice birthday surprise.”

“I already have her a nice birthday surprise.”

“That’s right. Her sister’s flying in for the festivities.”

“And the fashion show. That’s it! I’ll announce Paige’s recruitment into the Caldwell designing office at the fashion show tomorrow.”

“Announce? Shouldn’t you ask her first?”

Blake shrugged. “With talent like she has, why would she turn me down?”

****

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Paige,” Maddie soothed. “You agreed to a trim. It’s only a couple of inches to get the dead ends off. It’s not like we’re asking you to go with a whole new hair style.” She winked at the young girl who stood behind Paige, brandishing sheers and boasting an eager expression.

Maddie had been trying to talk Paige into a make-over for years, but Paige had resisted. What difference did it make how her hair looked when she constantly wore it in a ponytail for convenience sake? But now that she was stateside… Like a snowball rolling down hill, Maddie’s enthusiasm had grown the longer they stayed in the salon.

Paige pushed the barber’s chair around so she could face her new-found adversaries—her former best friend and an eager-beaver cosmetician with multi-colored, spiked hair. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, Maddie. This is a terrific birthday present, but I really do not want my hair cut.”

“Don’t you want to look spectacular for your party tonight?”

Paige chose to ignore that. Maddie was only trying to change the subject. Yes, Paige did want to look good for the party. Once, just once, she wanted Blake to notice her as more than just the means to a fortune.

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