Too Late for Regret (Annalise and Roger) novel Chapter 157

Seth’s POV

She looked like an angry kitten, and she wasn’t scary at all. She got even more upset when I laughed at her. I held my hands up to show I meant no harm. I had left the door open to show I wasn’t trying to be inappropriate with her.

“You asked for help, I was helping you out,” I replied as I stepped back from the door. Laney looked ready to blow up.

“I didn’t ask you for help, Seth. I was calling for the person who was helping me earlier,” I replied.

“They left. They went to steam your dresses to be packed up for you to take. I was here, so I helped,” I responded. I gave her my patented smile, which always worked -except for on Laney. It still fell short.

“Thank you, but you didn’t have to,” she replied through gritted teeth.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot. How about we start again? We will be working closely together for the foreseeable future. The least you can do is give me a chance. I’m really not a bad guy,” I answered.

Laney stepped out and walked over to the mirrors. I could get a better look at her now that her focus off off of me. I had been so stunned by seeing her before that I didn’t have a chance to really get a good look.

She was captivated by the dress she was wearing, and I took the moment to see her transformation. I remember Ana when she was little, wearing tutus, or wrapping herself in our mothers‘ shawls, and pretending to be royalty. I knew Laney was doing the same thing. I could see the dress swaying a little as she turned to see how it moved with her.

She looked gorgeous; my sister really knew her stuff. This was the first time I’ve been in Ana’s store. I knew her business was doing well, but I have to say I’m totally impressed with the level she’s achieved. I always knew Laney was attractive. But the severe bun she always wore made her look like a schoolmarm from the 1800s. It did nothing for her. But I was wrong -she’s not just attractive; she’s a stunner. I knew working with her was going to be a lot tougher for me now.

“Laney, you look gorgeous,” Ana said from beside me.

“She looked great in the red gown, too, Ana. I didn’t even realize it was her until I saw her face. I’ve never seen her with her hair down,” I advised.

“She looked good in the violet one, too. We already have it steamed. Do you want the red and the black dress as well?” Ana asked.

“I will take this one. You were right, Ana. I never felt more beautiful than I do right now. I feel like a princess. The red gown is gorgeous, but I feel like it’s too much for a work event. That’s more for a date, just like the first dress I tried on tonight,” Laney replied.

I turned to Ana and quietly said, “Can you bring some over for Laney to try on?”

“I can, I’ll be right back,” Ana said with a grin.

She was back in a flash with a pair of delicate black heels. A band that ran across the foot had crystals on it. They clasp around the ankle and have the same crystals. The only part that wasn’t sparkly was where they fastened.

“Laney, come sit down so you can try these heels on. I like these for you, but if you don’t like them, I have others that you can try on,” Ana told her.

Laney immediately came over with no complaints or arguments. What in the hell? How come everything I say becomes an argument, but with Ana, she’s suddenly agreeable?

Ana knelt down and started putting the shoes on Laney. Right as she was about to fasten the second shoe, one of the assistants came over for a sale at the jewelry counter. Apparently, it was a pretty big sale that required a manager’s override to approve. I was on my knees to fasten Laney’s other strap before she could try to do it herself. I could see the stunned surprise in her eyes. She hadn’t expected that. I wanted to show her that I wanted to be friends. No, I’d like to be more than friends if she’d give me a chance.

I stood up and quickly held my hand out to help her stand. I’ve never seen her in heels before, but after a few shaky steps, she was slowly walking away back to the mirror. Laney headed back towards the mirror, her eyes focused on the hardwood as she approached the mirrors. A flash of sparkle was shown with each step she took. Ana chose a great pair. I watched as Laney moved the skirt of the dress to show off the shoes, smiling in a way that I’ve never seen before.

I’ve seen her command a room. I’ve seen her put out fires at the company as if it were easy for her when problems arose. I’ve seen her give instructions to anyone who came to ask her what they needed to do. She is always calm, rational, and intelligent. But I’ve never seen her smile. I hadn’t even realized it until this moment. She’s been so busy carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She’s only focused on getting by until she can get out from under everything. Realizing that made my chest hurt for her.

I wanted to do more for her than just help her look the part for her new title. I wanted to be the reason she smiled. I wanted her to smile at me like that, and that feeling is completely foreign to me. I’ve never once thought of making someone happy, other than my family. I’ve never had any complaints from girlfriends; I’ve always been generous with my money. But before, I just wanted to give them and myself a release. I never saw being with any of them long–term, but with Laney, I wanted more. I wanted to see where this could go.

Laney doesn’t just agree with me. She gives me her honest opinion. So far, she’s been right about everything. I even like arguing with her. She gives as good as she gets, sometimes even more than she gets if she’s actually angry with me. She is perfect, and seeing her smile down at a pair of shoes makes her happy. I stepped back and waited for Ana. I needed to get her away from Laney.

When Ana returned, I spoke quickly. “Whatever she tried on that looked good on her, pack it up. If you know of a dress that she hasn’t tried on but she might need, just add it too. Also, do you have those sparkly heels in any other colors?” I asked.

“I have them in silver, why?” Ana asked.

“Grab those too, and pack them up for her. She’s going to take all three evening dresses today. I also saw a burgundy and a royal blue dress for the fall, in the window when I walked in. I think that she will look good in both of them. Go ahead and throw those in as well,” I told her.

I watched as Ana tried and failed to hide her smile before saying, “I also have a plain black leather pair of the same heels. She could wear them with the other dresses. The sparkly ones are for evening gowns.

Would you like me to add them as well?”

“Whatever you think she needs, Ana, add it,” I replied, knowing that she’s messing with me now.

“Then I’m going to add two coats. Daily wear, and another for going out for formal winter events. I have a beautiful cream–colored wool blend trench coat that would be perfect for her. She’ll need those, too,” Ana told me.

“You don’t have to tell me, just add it. Whatever she needs, Ana, I want her to have it,” I replied. I headed back to Laney, who was sitting in the chair, trying to get the shoes off. The skirt was making it hard for her to reach the straps.

“Let me help,” I told her as I knelt down to remove the shoes for her. I had to kneel down because there was a lot more cleavage showing now than when she was standing. I hadn’t noticed that before either.

She was off limits as Dad’s executive assistant.

“Why are you being so nice to me? I prefer you arguing with me, than whatever this is,” Laney said as she motioned between us.

“I just want you to have what you need to hit the ground running, Laney. I don’t have a hidden agenda. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be arguing again very soon. Ana and I just want to help you. Like I said earlier, you’re brilliant. I want you to show the world just how bright you’re going to shine,” I told her.

I was thinking about whatever I could do not to rise to the occasion. Seeing Laney like this was making it hard, pun intended. She stood up and looked around, but everyone was at the register across the store from us. The couple from the jewelry counter was just finishing up, and the woman was looking at her hand in awe. That’s what Ana does. She makes people’s dreams come true. There is no one available to help Laney, I managed to keep a straight face as I waited for her to ask for help. It took two minutes before she finally turned to me.

“Can you unzip me?” she asked.

“Let’s head to the dressing room. I don’t want someone walking past to look in here and see you,” I replied.

She stopped just inside the dressing room door. I got the message. I unzipped her, and barely managed not to run my finger down her back when I did. What is going on with me? I’ve never had thoughts like this before. I stepped back and let her shut and lock the door. I almost laughed again, as the lock snapping in place was a message in itself.

I’ve always let women come to me. I’ve never chased after anyone in my life. But I’m pretty sure that’s what I’m going to have to do with Laney. She’s different. She doesn’t want me for my money or my family’s name. In fact, I’m pretty sure she wants nothing to do with me. But I’ve never stepped back from a challenge before, and I won’t start now. I might not know what I’m going to do to win her over, but she’s going to be mine. She’s the first woman who’s managed to hold my interest for this long. I date two women from work, for two weeks each, but Laney told me to stop dating people from work.

Not because she was jealous, but because they both kept showing up on the executive floor. They were interrupting our work daily. I enjoyed working her up. I didn’t stop them until Dad mentioned it, and told me to stop dating people from work. I haven’t dated anyone in the last five months, which is the longest I’ve gone without dating. I’ve never thought about anyone else for this long. I’d been trying to get under her skin all this time, but somehow she’s managed to get under mine, and I don’t know what to do about it.