CHAPTER 7
TALK ABOUT FEELING intimidated.
When she saw me, the woman’s lips opened slightly as her eyes widened. Lips so impeccably outlined in a shade of red that matched the necklace exactly. And although she tried to hide it, I knew what must be going through her mind.
She recovered before I did and stepped forward, perfectly balanced on a pair of red-soled pumps.
“I’m Emerson Black, and you must be Lara?” Her accent seemed out of place—upper-class English in a French restaurant in an American city.
I reached out for the hand she extended and grasped it timidly. It came complete with perfectly manicured nails, also ruby red, and I was surprised she didn’t grimace when my grubby skin touched hers.
“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Black. I’m so sorry about...well, this.” I indicated my sog
