Sam shook his head, glancing out the window. “No. She wouldn’t want that. Damn Steel for saying anything.”
There was something in his voice, something he wasn’t saying. But once again, Gage found himself happy for the excuse. He wasn’t ready, not yet. Then another thought occurred to him, something Steel said—Mom says hi.
“Steel has seen her, hasn’t he?”
Sam exhaled loudly. “Yes. But that is strictly against my wishes, and he breaches security each time he does it.” He pulled a handkerchief from the inside pocket of his jacket and dabbed at his moist forehead. It was warm in the back of the car, but Gage didn’t think his heated demeanor was about the temperature. “Listen, if you run into Steel, alert me or Alec immediately. I don’t want him to cause any more trouble for you than he already has. Do you understand?”
“Got it.” Gage got out of the car and watched it drive away.
A cool breeze lifted the hairs on his neck. He crossed his arms, a shiver creeping up his back. It was a cloudy, winter day, and the icy air resonated with his unsettled mind. What was Steel’s next move?
4
Dress Shop
Iris
Iris peered up at the sign above two large windows with mannequins in sequined dresses. Dalia’s. The store was a block and a half down Main Street from the arcade. A light breeze pulled at Iris’s tightly wound bun atop her head.
Evie and Iris followed Mazy into the store. Once inside, Iris’s jaw dropped. From the outside, the place looked tiny, miniature even. But the storefront was deceiving. The store had two floors with a staircase at the center of the room. Racks of clothing with signs atop littered the powder pink carpeted floor. There were a few people pushing through some of the clothing racks, moving from one article to the next. Scanning, Iris detected that the second floor was similar to the first. At the back wall were rows of shoes on little shelves. To the left was a counter with a cash register. She inhaled sharply, taking in the subtle scents of potpourri, linen, and something musky.
A small woman with wavy, jet black hair that kissed the top of her shoulders approached them. She was wearing a black pencil skirt with a sleeveless white blouse and heels to match. “Hello, girls. Looking for something special?”
Something inside Iris’s chest fluttered. She approached the woman and fingered the lace on her blouse. “This is wonderful.”
The woman smiled up at Iris, who towered over her, even with her heels. “Who is this exquisite lovely?”
Mazy linked arms with Iris, pulling her back from the woman. “Dalia, this is Iris. Iris, Dalia. She owns the shop.”
“Pleased to meet you, Iris.”
Iris’s hands trembled with an excitement she’d never known before. “It is very nice to meet you and your shop. I have never seen so many beautiful clothes before.”
Dalia glanced at the shop. “That’s very kind. What are you looking for, girls? It’s too early for prom.”
Mazy held up the plastic card Gage had given her and nodded at Iris. “She needs the works.”
Dalia’s smile spread wider. “Oh, I think we can find plenty for her. You could be a model, you know.”
Iris turned around and looked at the mannequins in the front windows. “I do not want to do that.”
Dalia’s brows knitted together in confusion. “Okay…”
“Let’s just browse, okay?” Evie linked Iris’s other arm.
Mazy added, “Yeah, let’s look around.” Looking up at Iris, she asked, “Where do you want to start?”
Iris wet her lips, feeling eager. She wanted to examine every single garment in this store. The thought of missing something was unacceptable. She walked over to the first rack next to the front window and methodically slid one hanger after the next, assessing every aspect and detail of the tiny black jackets before her.
“Hey, Iris.” Evie walked over to her. “Maybe we should go to the women’s section?”
“Women’s?” Iris froze.
Evie stared long and hard at her. “Yes, these are little boy suits.”
Iris turned around. Dalia was watching them, a look of concern etched on her perfectly made up face.
On cue, Mazy grabbed Dalia’s arm. “I’m dying for a new pair of heels. Can you show me what’s new?”
“Okay, sure. Will you two be okay?” Dalia glanced from Iris and Evie back to Mazy.
“Sure. Yep, we’re good.” Evie waved, not taking her eyes of Iris.
Mazy pulled Dalia along toward the back of the store.
“I’m sorry,” Iris whispered to Evie. “I screwed up.”
“It’s okay. On the upside, you’re starting to sound more human.”
Iris tried to smile to reassure Evie.
Evie cringed. “Well, at least you’re trying.”
Iris turned around in the dressing room to look at herself from every angle. She had on a black miniskirt and lavender V-neck sweater with black loafer pumps. She pulled her hair loose and ran her fingers through the strands around her shoulders. She’d done a ton of research on popular fashion trends in the past hour while trying on clothes, and she could barely wait to do some more. She’d learned that models were so much more than statues that stayed in the front windows of stores. Models could also be human. They got to wear the newest lines of fashion from designers. Her chest heaved with excitement. She wasn’t sure what it all meant, but she never wanted to leave this store.
A knock on the dressing room door caused her to turn.
“Let’s see,” Evie said.
Iris opened the door and strode out to a sitting area with three large mirrors in a semi-circle. She posed just like the models she’d scanned on YouTube.
Mazy was propped up on a sofa, pillow in her lap. “That looks amazing on you.”
“And your hair looks so nice down,” Evie added. “Such a pretty color, like sand.”
Iris studied her reflection in the trio of mirrors. She ran her fingertips over the smooth silkiness of her skirt. She turned around a few times, flipped her hair and smiled. “I like this fashion.”
“OMG. Don’t move a muscle.” Evie ran over to her backpack on a nearby chair.
Iris paused and stood still, her breathing almost to a standstill.
Evie produced a pencil and sketchpad, sat down, and set to work. “You can move again. I just want to capture your expression. Clothing makes you smile for real.”
Iris smiled even wider, touching the cashmere sweater. “It is so soft and pretty.”
Dalia walked over to the girls and fawned, “Oh, Iris, you can wear anything.”
Iris nodded. “Yes, I would like that.”
“I think what you mean is, ‘Thanks?’” Evie eyed Iris.
“Yes,” Iris stammered. She glanced at the reflection of Evie’s wide eyes in the mirror. “Thank you.”
Dalia sat next to Mazy. “So, I’ve been working on my own line of clothes. I don’t suppose you girls would mind helping with a fashion show when I’ve got enough completed. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I know Ashwater is a small town and all, but just think—”
“Let me stop you right there. Yes, yes, and yes.” Mazy’s eyes grew to saucers, her head bobbing. She balled her hands into fists and bounced up and down on the sofa.
Iris knew exactly what a fashion show was, and she wanted in. She’d just figured it out thirty minutes ago. “I want to be in your fashion show.”
Mazy pointed at Iris. “Yes, girl, yes.” Then she looked at Evie. “You too.”
Evie continued to glance at Iris and back to her sketchpad, her hand moving rapidly on the paper. “Only if there’s something dark and edgy.”
Dalia shook her head and opened her mouth to reply.
Mazy waved her hand in Evie’s direction and focused back on Dalia. “Don’t worry, she’ll wear whatever.”
“No, I won’t,” Evie said.
Ignoring her, Mazy tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “So when do you want to do this fashion show? Evie a
nd I are great with advertising.”
Dalia sighed. “Well, I have more fabric coming in next week. But Tiffany just quit. Her boyfriend made the pro snowboarding circuit so they’re leaving town. Until I can find someone to replace her to work in the store, it might be a bit until I can make it happen.”
Iris turned away from them, her eyes fluttering as she did a quick search for the basics of working in a retail clothing store. Before she could compute a risk assessment, she turned back around and blurted, “I want to work here and learn more about fashion.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She glanced at Evie, who had stopped drawing, and Mazy’s mouth was ajar.
Dalia was unfazed. “That’s not a bad idea, Iris. I don’t suppose you can sew, can you?”
Iris shifted from side to side. “No, but I assure you, I am a very quick learner.”
“Oh, well, that’s good. You certainly seem enthusiastic,” Dalia replied.
Evie glanced at Mazy and then back to Iris. “You really want a job, Iris? You just got to town, and you haven’t even been to school yet.”
Iris nodded, excitement bubbling up inside her. She’d never wanted something so much in her short life.
“Well, I do work at the gallery two days a week and on weekends,” Evie said.
Mazy added, “And I work at the library three days a week so if she needs a ride…”
A shopper approached Dalia, holding a clog. “Excuse me, could I get some help back in shoes?”
Dalia stood. “Sure thing.” Looking back at the girls, she added, “Iris, let me know what you decide. I’m pretty open for scheduling.”
Iris looked between Evie and Mazy. “I really want to work here. I promise, I won’t be a burden and I won’t screw up.”
Evie exhaled and looked at Mazy. “Did you hear that? She’s using contractions now.”
“I think she should do it. She obviously likes fashion and wants to learn more,” said Mazy.
Iris looked between the two of them, a feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. Anticipation. Yes, that’s what it was. Anticipation.
Evie stood up. “Okay, Iris. How about you start off with working two days a week and we’ll see how it goes.”
Without a computation in her CPU, Iris grabbed Evie and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Thank you, thank you!”
Evie struggled against Iris’s strong arms. “Okay, okay.”
Iris released her. “Sorry. I’m very excited.” She touched her full, rounded cheeks. She really was excited.
“Right. Well, just don’t kill anyone here. Okay?”
Iris narrowed her eyes at Evie and frowned. “I would never do that...”
Evie stared at Iris, waiting for her to finish her thought.
Iris smiled and leaned toward Evie. “…because the customer is always right.”
5
Irresistible
Gage
Gage got out of his car, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and headed toward the entrance of the school. He had a test to make up this morning and he wasn’t as prepared as he should be. Derrick and Luke joined him in stride.
“’Sup, Gage,” Derrick said.
Luke nodded. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Gage replied. “Sorry, I gotta run.” He picked up his pace, launching himself up the steps. Once inside, he jogged down the hall to his locker, and then to the classroom he was supposed to retake his tests in. Taking his seat in the middle of the room, he stared down at his notes, concentrating.
The door opened and closed. Gage glanced up and froze.
Mr. Garcia.
No one had seen him after the incident at Bio-Core where he’d held Evie at gunpoint. They thought he’d disappeared for good.
“What are you doing here?” Gage tried to keep his voice level.
Garcia paused before putting his briefcase down on the desk at the front of the room. “Mrs. Lamont had a family emergency out of state. I’m filling in for her for the remainder of the school year.”
Gage’s grip on the sides of his desk intensified. “Excuse me?”
“Mr. Strickland, I am very sorry for the part I played in the incident at Bio-Core.” Garcia sighed and tugged at his tie. When he looked up, his eyes were serious. “But now, I need a job, and Ashwater High has one for me.”
“That’s a little bit too convenient, isn’t it? What did you do to Mrs. Lamont?”
“If you must know, Mrs. Lamont’s granddaughter was born prematurely. She went to be with her daughter and grandchild.”
Gage mulled over the information. Mrs. Lamont had spoken about her daughter’s pregnancy and being a grandmother for the first time, and babies were born prematurely. But Garcia had tried to kill Evie. Surely, Principal Kelly would not be okay with that. Gage sure as hell wasn’t okay with it.
Before Gage could retort, Garcia added, “Before you think about telling Principal Kelly about what happened at Bio-Core, you should consider what I could say about Adam and…it’s Iris now too, isn’t it?”
That was enough. Gage stood up, his insides churning. “You leave them alone.”
Garcia met his measured gaze and placed his fists on the desk, leaning forward. “So then, we understand one another?”
“Fine.” Gage’s heart lurched. Garcia had the upper hand. He couldn’t rat him out without endangering Adam and Iris. “But stay away from Evie.”
“I will do that.” Garcia faltered and looked away.
Some kids walked into the room and smiled. “Hey, Mr. Garcia. You’re back.”
Garcia returned their smile and glanced back at Gage. “Yes, I am.”
Gage hadn’t seen Adam, Evie, or Iris, for that matter, since he learned that Garcia was back at Ashwater High. He’d hoped to catch up with them before lunch, but his tests took longer than he’d thought. A bell rang. Gage jumped out of his seat in study hall and headed for the cafeteria. A herd of kids streamed through the hallway leading to the open doors of the cafeteria. Gage scanned the crowd from his vantage point, a perk of being one of the tallest in the school. Luke, Derrick and Sloan were a few feet ahead of him, but none of the others. There was a buzz among the crowd, though.
“Where she’s from…”
“Stupid hot...”
“I wonder if she’s got a boyfriend...”
Gage rolled his eyes—typical Ashwater. They must be talking about Iris, and it wasn’t anything he hadn’t thought himself. Well, except that he was pretty sure she didn’t have a boyfriend and she was an android. Once he reached the doors of the cafeteria, Adam found him and clapped him on the back.
“Where have you been?” Adam asked.
“I had to make up some tests. Hey, listen—” Before he could finish his thought, Iris was there, sandwiched between Evie and Mazy, headed their way.
His jaw dropped. She looked like a completely different person. Her sandy blond hair was down, falling past her shoulders, and she wore a short dress that accentuated her curves in all the right places. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and met his gaze. As if on cue, music started playing from somewhere nearby.
Gage glanced at Adam, who was the source of the tune—his phone in his hand, bobbing his head to the beat. “Adam, stop.”
Adam frowned. “Why? It’s ‘Simply Irresistible.’ Appropriate, right?”
Gage looked back at Iris. He wasn’t wrong, but music like this playing in his ear was annoying. “Turn it off.”
“Fine.”
Once the music stopped, the girls approached them. Evie put her arm around Adam’s middle, and Iris inched so close to Gage that he thought their noses might touch. Instinctually, he took a step back. But when he did, she advanced again, continuing to invade his personal space.
He grasped her arms to keep her at arm’s length. “Hi Iris.”
Iris slowly looked down at his hands on her upper arms and then back up at him. Her eyes were cold, her mouth set. “I do not like to be touched without permission.”
/> Gage let go and raised his hands in surrender. What the fuck? “And I don’t like when people get in my personal space without my permission.”
Iris’s eyes fluttered for a split-second, and her demeanor changed from ice to lukewarm. “Oh. I apologize.”
“No problem. What’s wrong with your eyes?”
“Research.”
Gage glanced around at the now full cafeteria. “Well, you shouldn’t do that in public.”
“Right.” Iris put her hand on her hip. “Mazy said that you have expensive taste, so I selected the highest priced dress appropriate for a school day.”
Gage narrowed his eyes at his ex, who was standing behind Iris grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Well played, Mazy.
“Do I look expensive?” Iris’s eyes were dead serious.
Gage’s jaw dropped. “I’m sorry, what?”
Evie let go of Adam’s arm and encircled Iris’s waist. “I think what she means is, do I look nice? Isn’t that right, Iris?”
Iris looked down at Evie and back up at him. Her bottom lip twitched as she nodded. “Yes. Nice. Sorry. I am still working on my people skills.”
He glanced at what she was wearing. She had transformed into something that bordered on supermodel. Not that she needed expensive clothes to look good. He raked his fingers through the back of his hair. “Oh. Well, you look beautiful.”
Iris parted her lips, her eyes unblinking, gaze boring into his. Gage shifted nervously. He wasn’t sure if she was about to smile or grab him by the shirt and toss him across the room. She was still a super-strong android, after all.
Finally, her lips turned up revealing a natural smile. “I think you look beautiful too.” She shook her head and looked down. “Uh, I mean handsome.”
When their gazes met again, there was vulnerability in her that made his heart swell. She wasn’t a stone-cold killer. She was something more.
Perfection Page 3