LITMIR.BIZ

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look. It was then that she heard the warning call of her name resounding in her head. The tone was reminiscent of the one Clarissa’s aunt used whenever Clarissa had said, done or was contemplating doing something that would make her look like a fool. Besides, she had more important things to take care of than drooling over one of her tailor’s clients. She did make a move toward the stranger, though. Perhaps he could help her locate the man in question.

      “Hello.” Clarissa nodded as she stepped closer and was again stopped by the extraordinary color of the stranger’s eyes. The blue-green orbs against the warm, rich caramel color of his complexion was an interesting mix.

      Okay this was just unfair, Clarissa issued the silent complaint. How was she not supposed to drool over this guy when he was a walking enticement?

      Clarissa... The warning tone resumed inside her head. Still, she indulged in a few additional moments of appraising the silent stranger’s unquestionably captivating face and broad frame.

      “I’m looking for Stanford Crothers,” she said eventually. “Is he anywhere around? His staff sent me down.” Clarissa pointed toward the ceiling to indicate the main floor of the shop.

      She waited a beat before tilting her head a fraction. The stranger was taking his time about answering. Clarissa found herself celebrating the fact that she wasn’t the only one having trouble talking.

      Elias’s silence was due mainly to the fact that he was standing there cursing himself over his rotten luck. The woman with the provocative body had an even more provocative face framed by the chic cut of her dark hair. It was who that exceptional face reminded him of that had him scrutinizing the current state of his misfortune.

      Thankfully, Stanford was returning to the cutting room floor. Elias shifted his gaze, barely tilting his head in silent reply to Clarissa’s query.

      Understandably curious about the stranger’s demeanor, Clarissa forced her mind back to her purpose for being there. She looked in the direction the man had glanced and her smile held more than its fair share of relief when she saw Stan.

      Stan, equally thrilled to see Clarissa, spread his arms wide. “Sunshine!” he greeted while enveloping her in a bear hug.

      “Stan.” Clarissa closed her eyes while cherishing the squeeze. “Sorry for just dropping in. I didn’t mean to interrupt you with a customer.” She glanced toward Elias, who had been observing the exchange between her and Stan.

      “Nonsense,” Stan balked, leaning back to smile down at Clarissa. “Never an interruption when it’s you.” His expression changed a bit as his eyes shifted between the two younger people. “Have you two met?” he asked.

      Clarissa shook her head. Elias merely looked over at Stan before bringing his gaze again to Clarissa.

      “Well, then.” Stan took Clarissa’s arm and led her over to remedy the situation. “This is Miss Clarissa David.”

      “David,” Elias repeated, a slight surprise holding his rich voice.

      Perceptive to a fault, Clarissa’s expression took on a knowing element. “Were you expecting a different last name? Perhaps Beaumont?”

      “Has anyone ever told you that you look like her? Like Jazmina Beaumont?” Eli questioned in a tone that was half awed and partly accusing.

      “Well, Clarissa should be the image of the woman!” Stan’s bellowing intruded. “She’s her aunt.”

      Elias responded with a lengthy nod as though he were resigning himself to the fact.

      “And you are?” Clarissa prompted.

      “Sorry, Clarissa, this is Mr. Elias Joss.”

      It was Clarissa’s turn to ease her curiosity. “Are you related to Joss Construction?”

      “Started by his daddy back in the seventies.” Stanford’s information sharing showed no signs of quelling.

      Clarissa’s dusky brown eyes narrowed a tad as she appeared to be assessing the new detail, but she made no additional comment. Instead, she turned to Stan. “By any chance is my dress ready?”

      “Lordy me.” Stan laid a hand against the soft salt-and-pepper whiskers that dusted the lower half of his face. “Did I miss a deadline?”

      “Oh, no, no, Stan, nothing like that.” Clarissa’s head shake warded off the man’s concerns. “I was on this end for another meeting so I thought I’d stop by and check on it before heading out to Jaz’s for a long weekend.”

      Stan rubbed his whiskers. “Well, there’s some stitching that needs to be completed but I expect that’ll be done in time for a Tuesday delivery before closing.”

      “Oh, that’s perfect.” Clarissa clasped her hands but winced. “Are you sure it won’t put you behind with your other clients?” She chanced a look at Elias Joss who still regarded her with unreadable eyes.

      Stan threw up a hand to wave dismissively. “You don’t even worry your pretty li’l self over that, you hear?”

      “Thanks, Stan.” Clarissa was beaming once again. “I hate to rush off, but you know how Jaz can get.”

      “That’s one lady who doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Stanford chuckled, his kind hazel eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ll have the dress sent to the hotel. You’re at the Peabody, right?” he asked, citing the name of the hotel where Clarissa stayed whenever she visited from California.

      “You got it.” Clarissa moved close to hug Stan again. He gave her a squeeze when she kissed his cheek.

      Pulling back from Stan, Clarissa sighed and looked over at Eli. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Joss,” she lied in a subdued tone.

      “Sweet li’l thing,” Stan complimented once Clarissa had gone. “It’s a wonder some cat hasn’t taken her off the market.”

      Elias smirked. “Has she ever been on the market?” His question was rhetorical. Like most people in Philadelphia, he knew of Jazmina Beaumont as well as her place of business. Until today, he’d never seen or met the woman’s niece.

      Stanford’s laughter came as a huge burst of sound. “Well, if you ask Jaz Beaumont, the answer would be an emphatic ‘Hell no!’”

      “She’s the protective type?”

      “That’s puttin’ it a might subtle, kid.” Stan glanced toward the staircase Clarissa had taken up and out of the shop. He shrugged, saying, “Guess it’s understandable. In Jaz Beaumont’s biz, she’s seen all kinds. Makes sense she’d wanna protect her sister’s kid from it.”

      Elias returned to the raised platform where Stan had been taking his measurements. “I wonder if looking so much like her aunt gets her in trouble.”

      Stan nodded while making note of a measurement on the pad he’d pulled from the burgundy smock he wore. “That answer would be an emphatic ‘Hell yeah.’ Ain’t easy bearing the face of a woman who’s been successful at sleepin’ with most of the married or attached men in town.”

      “Guess not...” Elias muttered.

      Stan realized the weight of what he’d just said. “Sorry, kid, that was truly crass.”

      Elias clapped Stan’s shoulder. “Crass but true,” he said in a reassuring drawl.

      Stan nodded and Elias withdrew into his thoughts, wondering if he’d just treated Clarissa David in a less-than-polite manner because of her aunt’s history. It was, of course, a history he knew more about than he cared to admit.

      “I believe I got everything I need, son,” Stan was announcing as he closed his measurements pad.

      “So she doesn’t live in Philly?” Elias almost didn’t recognize his own voice. He cleared his throat and made a pretense of studying his phone while leaving the platform. He put it in the pocket of his walnut-brown jacket

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