Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
KITTY
“This is insane.”
I felt like that was becoming my catchphrase.
“I’m working under strict instructions here, Kitty, and a tight deadline. Don’t mess with me.”
I stared at the demon I called my sister. “I take it back—you’re insane. Not Stan.”
“Not that style,” Neev ordered, bossing around the shop assistants like this was her job. “What do you think she is? Ancient? Sleeker. Sexy.” She tapped her pointer finger against her lips. “Rich.”
I flopped into my seat, groaning when more models stepped into the room wearing clothes Neev had directed they try on. We were in a private salon of some designer’s studio over on the Upper East Side and Neev had no problem raiding Stan’s bank account.
As much of a dent as I’d made on the credit card he’d given me, this was the first time he’d requested I dress formally.
Giving Neev a remit had been a bad idea.
That dent was going to be a trench by the time she was done.
“This is torture, and as someone who’s endured torture, I’d know.”
“Didn’t take you for a whiner, Kitty,” Neev retorted, earning a laugh from some dude called Franco Stan had sicced on us.
He’d pulled the short straw because Luigi and Maurizio got to wait outside.
Franco’s laughter faded, his eyes rounding, when Neev stormed over to one of the models, who backed up in fear.
Couldn’t blame her—Neev had a look of ‘manic pixie’ about her.
I got the feeling his crush on her was disintegrating with every passing second.
“This and the shoes. Oh, and the necklace! Is it for sale? It fits in the deep V neckline perfectly.”
One of the attendants rushed forward. “No, ma’am. It’s the model’s—”
“Can we buy it?” Neev demanded, ignoring the assistant and asking the model herself.
“Neev! Jesus Christ!”
As my sister negotiated my new closet, a closet that was approaching six figures in shoes alone, I snatched one of the flutes of Champagne that was offered to me.
“How the fuck is this my life?” I downed the bubbly.
Stan: How’s it going? Think you’ll be ready for tomorrow?
I glowered at my cell phone.
Me: Next time, you come with me. Neev is a hellion.
Stan: She’s YOUR sister
Me: You and her clearly attended the same people management class
Me: At least she’s stopped flirting with Franco
Stan: Not again. Can’t she leave my men alone?
“Kitty! I need you to try this red dress on. KITTY!”
Neev’s roar had the models flinching.
“LOWER YOUR DAMN VOICE, NEEV!” I roared back, loud enough to make Franco jump.
Me: Nuh-huh.
Me: Next time, give her a budget at least
Stan: Sky’s the limit for you, bedda mia
Me: Bite me
Stan: Gladly