The Personal Shopper

by T. L. Quinn

  I look back at her and laugh. “No. Definitely not. I have my own date.”

  Shana looks disappointed. “What exactly is it that he does for you again? All I know is you are spending an awful lot of time together. I hear lots of yelling. Seems very steamy.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

  I laugh again. “Oh no. Definitely nothing like that going on. He’s just like, you know, my own personal shopper.”

  Suddenly, there’s a deep laugh behind me. I know it’s him before I turn around. Parker. Ugh. Why is he always around when you don’t want him to be?

  “I think the exact reason I was hired was something more along the lines of ‘Spoiled rich girl doesn’t know how to handle her money. Might crash the whole company to the ground with her excessive spending.’” He moves his hands like he is reading a headline.

  Laura and Shana laugh at him. More like giggle at him. Traitors.

  I turn around to face him and cross my arms over my chest. “Oh really? Because I heard we only hired you because you were desperate after you found your girlfriend fucking your boss in your own bed.” The second the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. I took it too far.

  I open my mouth to apologize, but Parker starts talking before I can. “Who told you that?”

  He doesn’t sound angry, surprisingly. In fact, he almost sounds like he is proud of me for giving just as good as I get. “Becca. Even though you wouldn’t know since you never once stopped by to visit, I still see them every week. We are still family.”

  This time Parker does look upset. Not at me though, but at himself. Like he regrets avoiding me all these years. He reaches his hand out to my arm. “Can we talk a second?”

  My heart speeds up a little at his tone. It’s so serious. I’m about to agree when my receptionist interrupts. “Miss Ava, I have Jeff on line 1. He said he just needs to confirm a few things for tomorrow.”

  I nod my head at her. “I’ll be right there.”

  I look back to Parker to tell him we can talk later, but he starts talking before I can. “Why does he call the office and not your cell?”

  I bite my lip not wanting to answer that question. “Uhm...he doesn’t have my number.”

  For some reason, that brings the biggest smile to Parker’s face, so I quickly add. “I mean he did, but I had to get a new phone last month, and we haven’t seen each other recently to update it.”

  It’s not a complete lie. I just left the part out where I texted all my friends my new number from my old contact list. I just never sent anything to Jeff.

  It’s like Parker knows the real story and just raises his eyebrows and says, “Uh-huh.”

  I quickly try to change the subject. “Did you get my message?”

  He just rolls his eyes. “Yes honey. I will run all your errands for you.”

  I just throw up my hands. “Hey, you can just turn my credit card back on, and I’ll be on my way”

  He just smirks at me. “I’ll take care of it during lunch tomorrow. Text me the address.” He emphasized the word text like he is mocking me that he has my number when Jeff doesn’t. Then he just turns and walks away back toward his office.

  Both Laura and Shana check him out as he walks away. And okay sure, I do too. I mean look at that man’s ass. Who wouldn’t?

  Shana giggles again. “Damn girl, if you’re not hitting that, can I?”

  We all laugh, and then I give them both a death stare. “Don’t even think about it. You are already traitors enough.”

  Shana laughs. “Sorry. You’re right. Us girls have to stick together.” She pauses then looks at me again. “But don't go hiring any more of these sexy men, or I am going to have to ditch you guys.”

  I laugh again. “Trust me I know. I tried to get my dad to just let me work with Ralph in accounting.”

  Laura laughs. “Hey, Ralph is a stud for a 70 year old. Plus you’d never have to worry about money since he won’t ever retire.”

  I laugh back at Laura. “Well, with the way my dating life has been going lately, I might have to add him back into consideration.”

  Well, I am hoping my dating situation might change very soon. Hopefully, Cassie’s plan doesn’t backfire on me.

  Chapter 6

  Parker

  I pop my head into Ava’s office the next day. I don’t really have an excuse to see her, but I stop by anyway. “I’m heading out. Any other unnecessary items you are going to cry to daddy about buying for you tonight?”

  Ava just laughs. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to make sure you get home first before I send you out for anything else.” She teases.

  I’m not sure when it happened, but our bickering turned from straight up fighting to a more playful fighting. More like flirting. I don’t want to like it, but I do. I get to see her smile a lot more now, and it always just brightens my mood.

  I just roll my eyes. “You have my number.” Then I walk out. I smile thinking about how Ava didn’t give her new number to Jeff. She tried to play it off, but they couldn’t really be dating or anything if she hasn’t given him her number for a whole month.

  I’m heading to the couple of addresses that Ava texted me to pick up her items when Doug calls. “Hey Doug.”

  “Hey man. How is it you’ve been here a whole two weeks and this is the first time we’ve talked. Ava keeping you busy?”

  I chuckle “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “That’s my girl.” He laughs. “So Becca wants to know if you are taking a date tonight. Otherwise, she wants you to head over there with us. We can pick you up. Ava’s place is on the way.”

  I pause to think. I asked my friend Rachel if she was free tonight. She said she wasn’t doing anything, so she said to let her know if I wanted her to come. I told her I’d let her know after lunch.

  I’ve known Rachel since I was a kid. She was often my plus one whenever I was in the city for anything. We are more like family than friends. I’ve always thought of her more as a cousin than just a friend since her parents had been best friends with my parents before they died. She even lived with us for a summer when I was eight while her parents traveled.

  “I’m not sure yet. I have to call Rachel when I’m done with some errands.”

  “Alright, well let me know by five. Our car is leaving around five thirty.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll text you in about an hour.”

  “Perfect. We can still pick you guys up. We haven’t seen Rachel in forever. I’m sure Becca will wanna catch up.”

  “Okay. I’ll let you know. Gotta go. I’m driving now.”

  “Alright. See ya tonight.”

  “Bye.”

  I hang up the phone and toss it on the passenger seat. I don’t know why I am hesitating asking Rachel to come with me. It’s not like Ava is going alone. She has a date. Why shouldn't I?

  I pull into the first address that Ava texted me. I walk in the front door and am surrounded by women’s underwear. Jesus. Did she really send me to pick up her panties for tonight?

  The sales lady greets me. “Can I help you find anything? Looking for a gift for a special lady?”

  I just smile back. “I actually am just picking up an order. Should be under CSM’s account.”

  The girl smiles back. “Ah yes. I have it right behind the counter. We just need a card to put it on.”

  I follow her to the register and she pulls out a box. “Please just check this is the correct item and we’ll ring it up.”

  I open the box and just stare at its contents for a moment. It is a black lacy corset with matching thong. When I don’t say anything for a moment, the lady asks, “Is everything okay with it?”

  I look back up at her. Why does Ava need this for tonight? It hardly seems like it would be the best option for her dress. Is she planning on showing Jeff? God. Why can’t I stop thinking about her with Jeff now?

  I clench my hands into fists. “It’s fine, but I thought there was going to be something else too.”

  The sales lady
looks at the order. “This is the only thing listed on the order. I can help you find whatever you are looking for though if you describe it.”

  I pull out my phone and pull up the picture of Ava’s dress that she sent me on Tuesday to color match with her earrings. “What would go best with this in the same size?”

  The sales lady takes a look. “With that color, I would probably wear something nude. I can show you a couple of options.”

  I nod my head at her, and she leads me into a different part of the store. I pick out the most bland looking one they have. It’s just a tan bra and panties. No lace or frills. Seamless is what the sales lady called them so they won’t show up under the dress. I buy them both and head back to my car. Serves her right for trying to make me pick out her sex outfit for tonight. God. I don’t want to picture Ava having sex with anyone. Unless it’s me.

  I reach for my phone and call Rachel. “Hello?”

  “Hey Rach, you still good to come tonight?”

  “Will there still be free food and booze?”

  I laugh. “Of course.”

  “Well then, I’ll be there.”

  I tell her to come to my place around five, and then Doug will pick us both up. If I’m going to have to sit through the whole night imagining what Ava and Jeff are going to do at the end of the night, then I at least need my friend with me. I already know I won’t mention to Ava that Rachel and I are just friends. Two can play this game.

  ◆◆◆

  Ava

  I got off work early today, so I’d have plenty of time to get ready for tonight. When I get out of the shower, I see a package is sitting on my kitchen counter. Parker must’ve dropped off the lingerie. I slump my shoulders a little. I kind of thought he was going to say something when he gave it to me.

  I reach for the box and open the lid, but instead of the sexy lace outfit Cassie picked out for me, there is a plain set of nude bra and panties. I just stare at it for a minute and then a smile creeps on my face. He didn’t buy the lingerie for me. Does he really think I just wouldn’t notice though?

  Just then my phone pings with an incoming text. I glance down and see Parker’s name.

  Parker: Doug is giving us a ride. You and Jeff want to join?

  Us? Who is Parker bringing with him? I can’t ask him. That would mean I care, which I do, but I can’t let him know that.

  Me: Sure whatever is fine. What time?

  Parker: Around six.

  Me: Sounds good.

  There. That sounded chill right? Like I don’t care he is bringing someone. Doesn’t even phase me.

  I glance down at the box and then an idea comes to me. Sure they are plain, but nude undies can be just as sexy as a black lacy thing. I head back to my room to finish getting ready.

  I was planning on heading over to Parker’s apartment, but then I hear the door open. “Hey Ava, just a little early. I brought over some of that champagne you were always sneaking as a minor.”

  I smile and take one last look at myself in the mirror. I fluff my hair and reapply my lipgloss. Well, here goes nothing.

  ◆◆◆

  Parker

  I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to bring champagne over to Ava’s place. I guess I just didn’t want Jeff showing up early and having alone time with her.

  At least now that she is riding with us, there won’t be any chance for them to be alone together. Well, until tonight. Maybe I can stop that too. Would it be weird to suggest a movie night after a charity event? Or maybe I can play protector and tell Jeff’s she’s had too many drinks so he has to leave.

  My plotting to get Jeff to leave are interrupted by the sound of Ava’s bedroom door opening. I can hear her heels clicking down the hall. I turn away toward the counter to pour the champagne.

  She always looks great when she attends these events, and I don’t know if I can handle it right now. Just because I’ve been avoiding her all these years, doesn’t mean I haven’t been checking up on her. She always picks out the perfect dresses to show off her legs. They all look specifically made for her body. Tonight is no different. Although the dress will be long, I’ve seen the slit that will give sweet little glimpses of her thigh, especially in her heels.

  I hear her enter into the kitchen, but I still don’t turn around. I need to get a grip.

  “What the hell is this?” Ava asks.

  At first, I think she is mad that I came over with the drinks. I turn my head to look at her. Then I quickly do a double take. What in the world? I blink my eyes at her a few times. Is she fucking naked? I blink again. No. Not naked. Well, not fully anyway, but might as well be with the way my dick is standing at attention.

  Ava is standing there in nothing but the nude bra and panties I picked out and a pair of sexy high heels. Her blonde hair is in soft waves around her shoulders, and her makeup makes her blue eyes shine even more than usual. She looks like an angel. Well, an angel I would like to do very naugty things to.

  God, why did I think this would be any better than the lingerie? She somehow looks even more sexy in this than she would have in that black lacy thing she picked out. It fits her better. The simplicity just adds to how beautiful she is. I cannot let Jeff see her like this. How could he resist?

  I try to look my eyes away, but I can’t. It’s like they are glued to her. I can’t even count the number of times my eyes have scanned up and down just taking her in. I try to speak, but my mouth is dry, so I just swallow hard.

  When I don’t say anything for a few seconds, Ava continues. “Parker. This isn’t what you were supposed to pick up.”

  God Ava. Please say my name again.

  She is doing this on purpose. She doesn’t even sound that mad. She just sounds sexy as hell.

  I try to clear my throat again. “The sales lady said that would be more appropriate for your dress. The other one could have shown through. I didn’t want to fight her professional judgement.”

  Ava just scoffs. “Her professional judgement? What about my judgement? Maybe I wanted it to show through.”

  I don’t know why, but I snap. Maybe it’s because I am still staring at a mostly naked Ava. “Actually, I lied. She didn’t think it would show through, but there was no business purpose for it. The only reason you would need something like that would be for after you took your dress off. Since there will be no stripping at this event, I made a judgement call.”

  She doesn’t argue back like she usually does. Instead, she just gets a huge smirk on her face. I shake my head at the ground and respond as if she did argue with me. “If they were absolutely necessary for your outfit, I have them over at my place. I know how you are so picky about perfecting your outfits.”

  The smirk drops from Ava’s face, and she just stares at me in shock like I’ve given her the greatest gift in the world. Then that beautiful smile of hers makes an appearance just for a moment before she looks to the ground. She whispers so quietly that if I wasn’t paying attention I might not hear her. “Thanks Parker. These will work fine.”

  I glance at the clock and see it is almost time for people to start arriving. I look back at Ava.

  “Jesus Ava. Can you please put some clothes on? Jeff could show up any second.”

  Ava just shrugs. “Trust me, Jeff has seen more than thi-.”

  “Ava!!” I cut her off. Then I grit out. “Then put some clothes on because it’s more than I’ve seen before.” I hold contact with her eyes. I want to scan down her body again, but I know if I do, I’m going to do something stupid.