Poison Pen

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Cass was right about her, she decided. Harini did put on an act whenever she was around a lot of people. She personally didn’t have a problem with it, although Bailey could never see herself doing it. She wanted her readers to get to know the real her—not some made-up persona.

  “Would you mind getting me a white wine?” Harini asked when she joined her at the table.

  Bailey’s eyes landed on the bar located a few feet away from where they were seated. “I don’t mind at all,” she said, rising to her feet. The only reason Bailey was doing Harini’s bidding was because she was in the mood for a glass of wine as well.

  “I hope you’re not becoming Harini’s little errand girl,” said a voice said from behind her.

  Bailey turned around to face Kaile Jefferson. “Oh hey.”

  “Just an FYI. She’s going to ask you to get her food. Take my advice and tell her to get it herself.”

  “Excuse me…”

  “You seem like a really nice person,” Kaile said. “I’ve been in this industry for several years now—long enough to know who to stay away from. Harini is one of those people. Be careful around her. She’s not your friend.”

  Bailey met Kaile’s gaze but did not respond.

  “Just be careful.” She gave her a tiny smile before walking away.

  “What did Kaile have to say?” Harini asked when Bailey returned to the table with two glasses of wine. “I saw her talking to you.”

  Bailey sat down. “She introduced herself. That’s pretty much it.”

  “She’s a very envious person. Not someone you want to be around—unless you like drama.”

  “I like my life drama free,” Bailey stated. Although she kept her thoughts silent, Harini also carried a lot of drama with her as well. A lot of the attendees seemed to avoid being around her.

  Harini seemed not to notice, but Bailey caught her unguarded reactions from time to time. It was during moments like this that her mood swings took over. Bailey simply chose not to be offended by Harini’s snide remarks or curt responses.

  “Oh, they just put out some crab cakes. Be a dear and get me some.”

  “I’m… I need to go to the bathroom.” Bailey walked briskly out of the ballroom. She was not about to spend her weekend being Harini’s personal server.

  When Bailey returned to the table, Harini was holding court with another attendee as she munched on crab cakes, meatballs and chicken drumettes.

  She ignored Bailey.

  That’s fine with me. I’m not her slave and I’m not going to kiss her behind.

  Bailey got up and navigated the room, meeting some of the other attendees. When she returned to the table, she was surprised to find a plate of desserts waiting for her.

  “I remember you telling me how much you love chocolate, Bailey. It’s also my weakness, so I thought we’d indulge together.”

  Bailey broke into a grin. “Thank you, Harini. Chocolate is a weakness of mine for sure.”

  “Well, I’m declaring this a guilt-free weekend for us both.”

  “I’ll get us a couple of glasses of red wine to go with all this decadence,” Bailey said. “We might as well live it up.”

  “Ah yes… red wine and chocolate. A girl after my own heart.”

  From across the room, Kaile’s gaze was on Bailey, who summoned a smile. Whatever was going on between her and Harini had nothing to do with her. She was not taking sides or participating in their drama.

  Later that evening, Bailey sat in her room wondering if she’d made the right decision in choosing Harini as her mentor. The woman had an ego the size of the building; she was selfish and petty; believed others should serve her, but then there was the other side of her. The one who helped other writers with learning their craft; she could be thoughtful at times. Even when she refused to get food for her, Harini had made sure to bring her a plate of dessert.

  Realization dawned on her. Harini had done that bit of kindness to make a point. Bailey burst into laughter. “She’s so petty.”

  “How was your event?” Colton asked when she picked him up Sunday afternoon.

  “Interesting,” Bailey responded. “The workshops were great. I learned a lot that I’ll be able to apply to my manuscript.”

  “That’s good. Did you meet any of your other favorite authors?”

  “I did,” she responded. “I met Kaile Jefferson. She told me that I need to stay away from Harini. It’s pretty clear that they don’t like each other. I must say that it’s a bit disappointing that there is so much drama in the publishing industry.”

  “Babe, there’s gonna be drama everywhere you go. It’s the way of the world.”

  “Colton, you won’t believe this. Harini thought I was going to stand in line, prepare plates and bring them to her. She’s not handicapped in any way.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, she don’t know you. You’ve never been one to do another person’s bidding like that.”

  “I’m definitely not the one for that,” Bailey said. “I’m just going to focus on writing my books. I’m not kissing her behind just so she can mentor me.”

  “Have you considered that Kaile might be right about Harini? You said she’s been writing for a while. She would know.”

  Bailey dismissed his words with a wave of her hand. “I’m a pretty good judge of character, Colton. I trust my instincts.”

  Harini tossed the clothing from her suitcase onto the floor. “I saw Kaile sniffing around Bailey at the welcome reception. It doesn’t matter though. By the time I’m done with that witch. She will rue the day we ever met. Trust…”

  “One day, someone is going to come gunning for you, Harini.”

  Harini rolled her eyes heavenward. “Pip… you’re getting on my nerves. You’re supposed to be on my side. We’re family. Where’s the loyalty?”

  “You really want to go down that path?”

  Harini clenched her fists. “I’ve always looked out for you…” She shook her head. “You know what… forget you.”

  “If only you could,” Pip responded. “But the truth is that you can’t. You can’t because you need me.”

  She knew he was right, so Harini kept her mouth shut for the moment. She hated fighting with Pip.

  Alone in her office, Harini turned on her computer.

  She opened up her social media page to see if she’d been tagged in any of the posts from the retreat.

  There were a few but less than she expected. Her disappointment deepened. She’d taken pictures with practically everybody that was there.

  Harini muttered a string of profanity. There were more posts about Kaile than there were of her. Accolades of how sweet and generous she was when it came to sharing information.

  I shared nuggets as well. I also told them about my workshops and the price. People only value what they pay for.

  Out of curiosity, Harini checked out Bailey’s page on a whim. She wasn’t looking for anything in particular. Just being nosy.

  She eyed a photo of a grinning Bailey with a tall handsome man. This must be Colton.

  Harini enlarged the photo.

  There were many things to be grateful for in life.

  Family.

  Friends.

  Health.

  Wealth.

  Chocolate.

  All good, but none of them came close to the sight of a gorgeous man—the kind of man who made a woman very aware of her female parts. Harini was sure his tall height lined up perfectly with her five-eleven frame. Colton had broad shoulders and a flat stomach framed by a tapered waist. Every cell of her being was focused, like a laser, on his body. It had been a while since she’d met a man sexy enough to make her drool.

  On impulse, Harini sent Bailey a text, inviting her and Colton to dinner. This is a man I’d like to get to know better.

  Much better.

  Harini saved the photograph to a folder on her computer.

  The next morning, Harini strolled into the kitchen humming.

  “What’s got you i
n such a good mood?”

  “Good morning, Pip.” She opened a cabinet door and retrieved a coffee mug. “I’m having dinner guests tonight. Bailey and her boyfriend Colton.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “I want to get to know them better.”

  “Nope. There’s more to this. I know how your mind works, my dear sister. You’re interested in getting to know the man—not Bailey. What you’re planning is wrong on so many levels.”

  “It’s just dinner, Pip. You’re overreacting.”

  Harini made a pot of coffee. “It won’t end there, and you know it.”

  “If what you say is true, then Colton and Bailey are not meant to be together. It’s better she finds that out now rather than later.”

  “You used to have a heart.”

  “I still have one, Pip. I just want a man who worships me, is great in bed and makes me feel like a goddess. Someone who loves me, for me. Inside and out,” Harini said. “It would be nice if he were six foot four, with sexy eyes and a body that would make a nymphomaniac cry.”

  “There are plenty of single men out there in the world. Why don’t you find one of them? You are coveting Bailey’s talent and the man she loves.”

  “Why don’t you just disappear?” Harini snapped. “You have always been so self-righteous. I guess that’s why our parents loved you more.”

  “You need to stop with the mommy and daddy issues,” Pip stated. “You can’t blame them for everything wrong in your life.”

  “Why can’t I? They blamed me. You were the golden child—the one who made them proud. No matter what I did—it was never good enough.”

  “And you know why.”

  “Get out of my sight,” Harini screamed. “I don’t want to see your face.”

  “Lord knows, I don’t want to be around you either,” Pip responded. “Remember, the only reason I’m even here is because a certain person doesn’t want to be alone.”

  His words left Harini shaken.

  With trembling hands, she poured coffee into her mug. I can’t think about my brother right now. I need to find a caterer for tonight. I want a special meal prepared. She recalled Bailey mentioning how much Colton loved seafood, especially lobster.

  By the afternoon, Harini had selected a caterer and decided on a five-course meal. She had a feeling, Colton would be impressed by that while providing him a peek into what he could have with her.

  Now she had to decide on something to wear—something elegant and sexy.

  Harini wanted tonight to be perfect.

  “So, are you ready to go into the lion’s den?” Bailey whispered in Colton’s ear. They had just entered the elevator and were en route to Harini’s floor.

  “This place is nice. I don’t think I’ve ever been in something so grand. I don’t know anybody who lives like this.”

  “There are only three condos on each floor,” she told him.

  “They must have a lot of space.”

  Bailey nodded. “Wait until you see Harini’s condo. It looks like what you’d see in an interior design magazine. She told me that hers has been featured in one.” She placed her hand in his. “This is what our lives can look like, Colton. We can have all this, too.”

  “Oh yeah… this definitely works for me.”

  The doors opened, and they walked into the hallway.

  Bailey paused outside of a door. “You look so handsome. I like this suit on you.”

  Colton leaned forward and whispered, “Seeing you in this dress, all I can think about is taking it off you.”

  She grinned. “I need you to get your mind off sex; at least for a little while.”

  Bailey rang the doorbell.

  The door opened, revealing Harini who was dressed in a strapless purple and gold jumpsuit. Her long curly tresses, flat-ironed straight and her makeup perfectly applied with a skilled hand.

  I’m glad I had Colton wear a suit. I didn’t expect Harini to look so glamorous.

  “I’m thrilled you two were able to join me tonight for dinner,” she said, stepping out of the way so they could enter the foyer.

  “These are for you,” Bailey said, offering her a bouquet of flowers.

  “They’re beautiful.” Harini sniffed them. “How very sweet.”

  They followed her to the living room. “Have a seat. I’m going to put these in water. There’s a tray of appetizers over there on the table.”

  As soon as Harini left the room, Colton uttered, “Man… this place is tight. She gotta be making bank off her books in order to live like this. I see why you want her to be your mentor.”

  Bailey grinned. “Exactly.”

  Colton was much more handsome in person. His social media photos didn’t do him justice at all.

  Harini checked her reflection in the mirror in her office. I look exquisite. No man including Colton will be able to resist me.

  She made her way back to her guests. Clearing her throat, Harini said, “I’m about to have a glass of wine. Will you both join me?”

  “Sure,” Bailey and Colton said in unison.

  They stood up and followed her over to the built-in bar area.

  “Will your brother be joining us?” Bailey asked.

  Harini shook her head no. “Pip’s out of town.”

  “Oh, I was looking forward to meeting him.”

  “There will be other times.” Harini made brief eye contact with Colton and tossed her hair with the gesture she had mastered over the years. Her hair flipped expertly behind her shoulder, and her earrings dangled.

  A crease formed between Colton’s eyebrows as he returned her smile with a polite one of his own. Somehow Harini didn't think the movement had the effect she'd hoped for. Most men thought it was sexy—the way she flipped her hair when flat-ironed and curled. Colton didn't seem at all enchanted by it.

  She covered her disappointment by saying, “We can go into the dining room. Our dinner is ready.”

  “You have a chef?” Colton asked.

  Harini smiled. “No, they’re only the caterers. However, I am thinking seriously about getting one, however. It would definitely be cheaper.”

  For the first course, they ate crostini with white truffle oil and olive paste. Harini chose the oysters casino for the second course.

  “This is amazing,” Bailey murmured between bites.

  Colton nodded in agreement. “I love oysters.”

  Mixed greens with fresh tomatoes served with a lemon vinaigrette was served as the third course. Harini could tell that her guests were impressed—it was the reaction she was seeking. She wanted to give Colton a peek into the life he could have with her. He only had to choose her. “We’re having baked lobster tails and asparagus with a rice pilaf for the main entrée.”

  “Oh wow,” Colton murmured. “That’s my favorite food.”

  Harini smiled. “I’m so glad.” She could feel Bailey’s gaze on her and looked directly at her. “You eat lobster too, don’t you?”

  “I do,” Bailey responded. “I have to say you’ve outdone yourself with this dinner. Everything so far has been delicious.”

  “I hope you’ll still feel the same way by the time we’re done with dessert.”

  Colton chuckled. “This is living.”

  “I bet dessert is something chocolate,” Bailey said.

  Harini laughed. “You know me so well. We’re having molten chocolate cakes served with a warm black cherry sauce.”

  Bailey leaned against Colton. “You’re right, babe. This is living.”

  Watching the two of them, Harini had never felt such longing for a man in her life and so envious. Looking at Colton made her feel ravenous; it was a raw hunger gnawing at her belly. And when he smiled… Harini felt it from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, and everywhere else in between.

  She wasn’t desperate by any means. Harini had dated a few men, but things never worked out because they were intimidated by her success. She could tell that Colton was different though—he was smart an
d accomplished. With her guidance, he could also become sophisticated.

  When Bailey glanced in her direction, Harini dropped her eyes. She didn’t want to be caught ogling the man in front of his girlfriend.

  Colton sliced off a piece of the lobster tail, twirled it into the melted butter, and then stuck it onto his mouth. A mouth Harini wanted to kiss—wanted to feel sliding all over her skin…

  “Harini,” Bailey said, cutting into her thoughts.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat. “I was thinking about the current book I’m working on. The ideas, they just never stop coming.”

  “I have the same problem.”

  Harini chuckled. “It’s a good problem to have.”

  Her gaze locked with Colton’s across the table. Harini noted the brief reaction of shock and pleasure in his eyes before he looked away, focusing his attention on Bailey. However, nothing could shatter the connection that was alive and sizzling between them.

  Harini knew that Colton felt it, too. She could see it in his eyes, in the firming of his sexy lips. She could also tell that he was struggling with whatever he was feeling. Harini bit back a satisfied smile.

  Bailey and Colton did not stay too much longer after dessert. They both claimed to have to be at work early the next morning.

  More like they were in a hurry to get home and into bed, Harini thought jealously.

  Enjoy him now because soon he will be mine.

  In her office, she slid the pencil across the surface of the desk with a finger. I could tell that Colton feels this connection that exists between us.

  Harini rocked backward in her desk chair, fantasizing about Colton and the things she wanted to do with him and to him. The ringing phone pierced the silence of her small office like a horn, causing her to jump.

  It was Bailey.

  “I just wanted to thank you again for such a nice dinner. Colton and I both enjoyed ourselves.”

  An image of Colton formed in her head. “Trust me… the pleasure was all mine. I enjoyed the company.”

  After the call ended, Harini searched for Colton on social media and sent him friend requests to each of his accounts.