Chapter 1I went with my Dad to pick up Mom's limited edition Hermès—and got mistaken for his side chick.
The sales girl looked me up and down, muttering: "Disgusting."
I was about to go off when Dad suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Stop it, Tessa! You're embarrassing me."
Wait—what? Why's he on HER side?
Then this woman pulls out some basic bag and tries getting Dad to ditch the limited edition one.
"A bag like that needs to go to someone who... well, you know."
She brushed her finger against his, gave him this flirty look.
Yeah. I got it—SHE'S THE SIDE CHICK.
"Hell no. We're keeping it. And I'm buying out EVERY limited piece from a different sales girl."
Her face went white. She grabbed Dad's sleeve.
And Dad? Didn't let me down.
"Tessa, just exchange it! Buy ALL of them? You got that kind of money?"
I laughed and dropped onto the couch.
"What's the rush?"
"Mom's coming."
...
We walked in and this sales girl rushed over.
Her eyes lit up when she saw Dad.
"Mr. Callahan! Finally!"
"Got your bag ready."
She looked me up and down like I was trash.
"Oh, you brought a little friend?"
I frowned.
Dad smiled at her.
"Thought I'd show her around."
The girl—Blair—stepped aside and basically led him to the VIP room.
She was ALL over him, arm brushing his the whole way.
"That suit's tight on you, Mr. Callahan. Told you last time to size up."
Dad laughed. "Just threw it on at the office."
Blair touched his shoulder. "You still look better than everyone else."
I followed behind, watching them.
Something felt wrong.
They were WAY too comfortable with each other.
Like, Blair knew Dad was in Portland last week for work. Even asked if he brought her a gift.
But he's only been to this store a few times with Mom. Barely.
When I got to the VIP room, champagne and snacks were already out.
Two glasses.
One for Dad. One next to Blair.
Nothing for me.
Blair covered her mouth like she just remembered.
"Oops, didn't know we'd have an extra person."
She said it but didn't move.
Dad sat down. Blair took the seat next to him like it was hers.
I stood there, then dragged a chair over myself.
Blair looked annoyed.
I ignored her. "Is my limited edition matte gold croc here yet?"
Blair didn't even look at me.
She handed Dad a tablet.
"Mr. Callahan, check out the new stuff first."
"You said you like low-key styles, so I saved some just for you."
I said it again. "I asked about the limited edition. Order 1907."
Blair finally looked up.
She checked out my canvas shoes, my shirt, then my face.
Her smile dropped.
"Sweetie, stop pretending."
"Mr. Callahan should handle this."
Dad shot me a look too.
"Don't interrupt. I'll deal with the bag. You're just here to watch."
My chest went cold.
Mom sent ME the code.
I'M the authorized contact.
How's he acting like I'm just tagging along??
Blair put some gray bag on the table.
"Mr. Callahan, this one. The leather's nice, color's classy."
I stared at it.
"That's not it."
Blair stopped.
"What do you mean?"
"I ordered matte gold croc with platinum hardware."
I pointed at the bag.
"That's regular leather. Similar color, but nowhere near the same price or value."
Blair's smile disappeared.
She pushed it toward Dad.
"Sweetie, you can't learn about luxury bags online."
"Color, leather, shape—it's all about who's carrying it."
She turned to Dad, voice all sweet again.
"Mr. Callahan, this one's way more everyday. Better for a mature lady."
"Send your wife a pic after her meeting. She'll love it."
Dad touched the bag and nodded.
"Yeah. It's not good to be too flashy."
I looked at him.
"But we're coming for THAT bag."
He looked up, already annoyed.
"Blair knows what she's doing. If she says it's better, it's better!"
Blair smiled down at the table, looking smug.
Chapter 2
That matte gold limited edition Mom—Sloane Sterling—ordered was from some special anniversary collection.
She wasn't even planning to get it.
The brand's director came to talk about an exhibit thing and just offered her the reservation.
She said it looked nice. So she ordered it.
Dad was RIGHT there.
He raised his glass and said:
"Get whatever you want. You work hard—you deserve nice things."
He sounded so sweet back then.
Now thinking about it makes me sick.
Now, Blair was already selling Dad on the regular bag.
"This one's not limited, but it's timeless."
"Someone with your taste gets what real class is."
When she said "your taste," she looked at me.
I picked up the water.
They brought it later. No ice, no coaster.
"Who gets commission on this regular bag?"
Blair's face changed.
"Whoever's helping the customer today. So, me."
"If I cancel the order, where does the limited slot go?"
Her smile cracked.
"Sweetie, that's not your problem."
"I'm the authorized contact. Can't I ask?"
Silence.
Dad frowned.
"What authorized contact?"
I held up my phone.
"The one picking up the bag."
Blair's eyes flickered. Then she smiled again.
"Oh, you have the code. That's easier."
She pulled up something on the tablet and pushed it at me.
"Just sigh to confirm—release the reservation, swap it for the regular one."
I didn't touch it.
The page was already filled in.
[Customer changed mind: Original limited edition not suitable. Switching to regular stock.]
[Noted by: Blair Ashford.]
Twenty minutes ago.
So right after I walked in, she already changed the system notes.
That weird feeling I had? It was right.
"Who said the customer changed her mind?"
Blair smiled. "Mr. Callahan said so."
I looked at Dad. "Why would you cancel it?"
His face went dark. "Can't I make decisions about my own family's stuff?"
"No. Because you're not the account holder."
"Tessa!"
His voice instantly raised up.
"This is how you talk to me?!"
Blair poured him champagne, voice all soft.
"Mr. Callahan, don't get mad."
"Young girls are like this. Learn a couple rules and think they know everything."
I looked at her.
"Who are you calling a young girl?"
She smiled, fake-innocent.
"Can't I? You look way too young."
That's when I got it.
She thought I was some girl Dad brought along.
Some young thing using a middle-aged guy to get into the VIP room, see expensive stuff, wait for gifts.
That's why she kept saying "sweetie."
That's why she called my mom "the mature lady."
Dad heard it.
And he didn't say anything.
He LET her think that.
He LIKED it.
I felt sick.
I stood up.
"I'm making a call."
Blair smiled. "Sweetie, don't go sharing that code."
"Limited spots don't come back just 'cause you throw a fit to someone."
I looked back.
"Don't worry."
I got more pickup codes than you saw customers in a day.
Chapter 3
I walked out.
The AC hit my face.
Piano music floated up from downstairs.
Sun came through the glass roof.
Everything looked perfect.
But all I could hear was Blair saying "the mature lady."
And Dad's face when he didn't correct her.
I was about to call Mom's assistant when someone spoke behind me.
"Miss Sterling?"
I turned.
Another girl from the store.
Black blazer, ponytail. Name tag: Cora Yates.
"You know me?"
"Yeah. You came in before with your mom. I remembered."
She had a cup of water.
"You look pale. Want some water?"
I took it.
Perfect temperature.
She didn't ask questions. Just said:
"You mentioned order 1907—that's your mom Ms. Sterling's matte gold croc, right?"
I looked at her. "You know about it?"
"Yeah. VIP flagged it internally."
"Miss, that bag came in today. Needs the account holder's code or primary contact to pick it up."
"No one else can pick it up."
My heart beat faster.
"What if someone changed the notes early?"
Cora's face shifted. "Hold on."
She took me to a VIP desk.
Logged in, checked my code. Her frown got worse.
"Someone did change it."
She turned the screen.
Right there:
Twenty minutes ago: Blair Ashford noted "Customer hesitant, switching to regular stock."
Ten minutes ago: Added that regular bag to my mom's pending list.
I laughed, cold.
"She's fast."
Cora's lips pressed together. "This breaks protocol."
"Especially for your mom. She's top-tier. Any release needs double verification."
She called someone.
Hung up and looked at me.
"Miss Sterling, order's frozen. Only your mom or you with the code can get it now."
I nodded.
"Thanks."
She hesitated. "Blair's competing for supervisor. She needs the numbers."
I smiled.
"So she's using my mom's order to get promoted?"
Cora didn't answer.
Silence was answer enough.
I looked at the catalog on the desk.
"Can I order these three?"
Cora blinked.
"Yeah, but they're VIP pre-orders. Need to go through Ms. Sterling's account."
"I'm authorized."
"Same payment as before?"
"Yeah."
I paused. "Credit goes to you."
Cora looked surprised. But she nodded, professional again.
"Got it, Miss Sterling. I'll log it."
"I'll save everything—purchases and violations."
I liked her. Smart. No drama. Just got it done.
When I got back to the VIP room, Blair was on her knees next to Dad, fixing a scarf on him.
"This color looks amazing on you, Mr. Callahan. Everyone'll know you've got taste."
Dad grinned like he was twenty again.
The regular bag was in its dust cover on the table.
Tablet open to the confirmation page.
Blair saw me and pushed it over.
"Done with your call? Just put the code in."
I sat down. Didn't look at her.
"Don't worry about the order anymore."
Her hand froze. I said slowly:
"Cora got me the limited edition."
"Oh, and I ordered three more VIP pieces. Through HER."
