A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss novel Chapter 340

Madison

“Look at you!” Mom exclaimed when I emerged. “Hot date with Alexander after shopping?”

The question stung more than it should have. “No, just Hazel.”

Mom’s gaze turned shrewd. “Trouble in paradise?”

“No trouble,” I lied smoothly. “He’s busy.”

“That man works as hard as you do,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re perfect for each other.”

I forced a smile. “I should get going. Don’t wait up.”

“Have fun, sweetie!” she called as I grabbed my purse. “Buy something scandalous!”

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The boutique Hazel had chosen was nestled between a high–end bakery and a vintage record store; its minimalist display featured a mannequin in a backless black dress.

Hazel was waiting outside, scrolling on her phone, looking impossibly put–together for someone who’d also worked a full day. She glanced up as I approached and let out a low whistle.

“Well, hello, stranger. Who are you and what have you done with my workaholic friend?”

I rolled my eyes. “Very funny.”

“I’m serious! You look hot.” She linked her arm through mine. “The jeans, the top, the whole vibe. Very‘ successful woman who doesn’t need a man but wouldn’t mind one temporarily warming her bed.“”

“That’s oddly specific.”

“It’s my specialty,” she grinned. “Now come on, they have champagne inside.”

The boutique was exactly as pretentious as I’d expected. It had sparse racks of clothing arranged by color, abstract art on the walls, and a saleswoman who looked like she moonlighted as a model. With an effortless smile, she offered us flutes of champagne.

“Looking for anything specific today, ladies?”

“Party dresses,” Hazel declared. “Something eye–catching but not desperate. Sexy but not slutty. You know the vibe.”

According to her discreet nametag, the saleswoman, Aria, nodded knowingly. “I have several options that might work. What’s the occasion?”

“Company party for me,” Hazel explained. “And my friend here needs something to make her ex jealous.”

I nearly choked on my champagne. “I do not! I don’t even have an ex.”

“Fine, something to make her not–boyfriend realize what he’s missing,” Hazel amended.

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Aria’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose fractionally. “I think I have just the section for you both. Follow me.”

She led us to a rack of dresses in various jewel tones and sleek silhouettes. “These just came in. They’re very flattering, sophisticated, but with a twist.”

Hazel immediately started rifling through options, pulling out a red halter dress with an open back. “This is speaking to me on a spiritual level,” she declared.

I sipped my champagne, eyeing the dresses more cautiously. Most seemed designed for women who regularly attended gallery openings and charity galas, not project managers with limited social lives.

“See anything you like?” Aria asked, appearing at my elbow.

“I’m not sure this is really my style,” I admitted.

“Let me find you something.” She studied me briefly, then moved with purpose to another rack. “Your coloring would be stunning in this.”

She held up a midnight blue dress with a plunging neckline and a slit that would definitely show more leg than I typically displayed at work functions.

“Oh, that’s far too-”

“Perfect,” Hazel interjected, appearing with an armful of dresses. “You’d look incredible in that.”

“It’s a bit much for a company party, don’t you think?”

“Not my company party. The men will have heart attacks,” Hazel said with obvious delight. “Try it on.”

I hesitated, fingering the silky material. It was beautiful, admittedly, and nothing like anything in my closet.

“Fine,” I conceded. “But I’m not promising to buy it.”

The fitting room was a miniature sanctuary of soft lighting and flattering mirrors. I slipped out of my clothes and into the blue dress, zipping it with some difficulty. When I turned to the mirror, I nearly didn’t recognize myself.

The dress hugged my curves perfectly, with a tasteful neckline revealing just enough cleavage and a slit highlighting my legs.

I stepped out of the fitting room, feeling oddly vulnerable.

Hazel gasped dramatically. “Holy shit, Madison!”

“Is it too much?” I tugged at the neckline self–consciously.

“It’s perfect,” Aria assured me.

“You look hot,” Hazel said bluntly. “Like, jaw–dropping, make–a–man–walk–into–a–wall hot.”

I turned to examine myself in the three–way mirror. The woman reflected back was different, confident, and

even sexy.

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“If you wore this to Knight Industries, Alexander would forget Katherine existed,” Hazel murmured in my ear.

The comment should have annoyed me, but instead it sent a small thrill through my body. What would Alexander think if he saw me like this?

“I’ll take it,” I decided impulsively.

Hazel clapped her hands in delight. “Now we’re talking! Let me try mine on.”

She disappeared into the fitting room while I returned to mine to change. As I carefully slipped the blue dress off, my phone buzzed in my purse. My heart skipped a beat before I could stop it.

I rolled my eyes at my own reaction. “Get a grip, Madison,” I muttered, reaching for my phone.

It wasn’t Alexander. Of course it wasn’t. I was pathetic for even hoping.

“Knight Industries Annual Birthday Celebration for Mr. Knight, Thursday evening, 8 PM, The Summit. Formal attire required. RSVP needed.”

I froze with one leg in my jeans. Thursday. Alexander’s birthday was Thursday, and with everything happening, the Manhattan Project, our ended arrangement, Katherine’s return, I’d completely forgotten.

“Shit,” I whispered, quickly finishing dressing.

Hazel’s voice carried over the fitting room wall. “You okay in there? You’re being suspiciously quiet.”

“Alexander’s birthday is Thursday,” I called back, zipping my jeans. “There’s a company party at The Summit.”

“And you just remembered?” Hazel cackled. “Some girlfriend you are.”

“Ex–girlfriend,” I corrected, wincing at how ridiculous that sounded.

Hazel emerged from her fitting room in a stunning red dress that hugged every curve. “What do you think? Too much cleavage?”

“Depends on whether you want them to be able to do math afterward.”

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