by Sedona Venez
I paused to calm my wildly racing heart. “Please schedule the delivery for Tuesday. Thank you.” I hung up, swearing under my breath.
Staring up at the sky, I knew with every twist of fate, the noose was tightening. Whether I liked it or not, Core McKay was making it a point to let me know he was repairing my business, one major fuck-up at a time.
FOUR
SINTHIA
Stepping off the elevator, I scanned the studio that had been designed with a contemporary look in mind. I loved the ambiance of Cisco’s boutique. The space was sleek, modern, and very glam. The walls were painted black, which allowed the rich colors of my designs on display to pop against the beautiful darkness that contrasted with the plush velvet furniture and natural light.
Pulling my tablet from my leather handbag, I quickly took a couple photos of my pieces before flipping through the photos I’d already saved of the gowns I had designed for my bestie Jade Bellisario, her mother Ariana Bellisario, and my new client Erika Watson to wear at Bigsby Calhoune’s fundraising gala scheduled for tomorrow night.
I needed to make sure their gowns were perfect. Tonight was the last of three fittings, and I was hoping to get everything wrapped up in time to put the finishing touches on my own gown.
I sighed. It was going to be a very long night.
Distracted by my thoughts, I was startled when I heard a squeal.
Then a lilting voice said, “My favorite person.”
I didn’t even have time to put away my tablet before the petite dynamo rushed up, wrapping her arms around me.
“Hi, Summer.” I hugged her and then stepped back with a wide smile. “How’s the family?”
She gave me an impish smile. “Crazy,” she replied.
I propped my hands on my hips. “You mean you’re making them crazy.”
She dramatically waved her hand. “Me, them—all the same thing.” She chuckled. “I completed the alterations on the gowns, and they’re waiting for you upstairs.” She swung her handbag onto her shoulder. “I have to go and clean up the chaos and mayhem waiting for me at home. Tony’s howling like a big bear, wanting to know when I’m coming home. He tries, but God help him, he lets the babies run circles around him.”
I snickered because Summer had Tony wrapped around her finger. It was good to see her content after finally finding Tony. She’d complain about him, but I knew my friend was joyfully grappling with the tornado her adorable newborn twins had unleashed on her home and her big, burly but lovable husband. I was happy for her but also a little forlorn. I had a small circle of friends, and the circle was getting smaller and smaller every day. They were either in serious relationships, settling down, or getting married.
“Thank you so much for coming in to put the last-minute touches on the gowns. I couldn’t have finished in time without you.” I really meant it. I hated to take time away from her babies, but Summer was a top-notch seamstress and the only one I trusted to work on my designs.
“I would do anything for my girl Sinthia.” She squeezed my hand while smiling warmly. “I doubt you’ll need any additional alterations, but call me if you do.” She turned on her heel and rushed out.
“Sin, baby!” Cisco exclaimed, rolling his hands about in emphasis. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
As usual, he was crackling with energy. Dressed in black jeans, a crisp blue shirt, and his signature old Rolex, he barely paused before closing the space between us and yanking me into his arms. I hugged him back without any hesitation.
“I’ve been crazy busy trying to get my collection finished.”
He pulled away and clasped my hands. His eyes swept over me from head to toe. At thirty-six, he still looked boyish, but he had intense dark eyebrows that conveyed his seriousness. “Too busy I see by the shadows under your eyes.”
I scrunched my nose. Cisco was observant and brutally honest.
“I’m exhausted,” I snapped, snatching my hands away.
“Mm-hmm.”
I rolled my eyes heavenward. “Okay, I’m in a fucked-up mood,” I complained.
“Clearly,” he responded dryly. He caressed my cheek. “I’m just worried about my Sin. Don’t get fucking snarly about it.”
I saw the concern flash across his eyes. Instantly, I felt ashamed. Cisco was worried about me like a mother hen.
I softened a little. “I apologize.” Wrapping my arm around his lean waist, I dragged him along with me toward the stairs, which led to the dressing lounge.
He draped one arm around my shoulders. “Apology accepted, Sin baby. So any word on Tabitha’s whereabouts?”
“Don’t get me started. I’m so fucking pissed off right now.”
The fact that Tabitha had disappeared without a trace was still confusing. Her cell number was now disconnected, and her boutique had shut down.
I frowned. “She just up and left everything. Who does that?”
Cisco stopped and scowled. “She’s a backstabbing skanky bitch. I can’t believe she lied to you like that.”
“Me either. It just doesn’t make sense.”
The whole craziness of Tabitha’s deception nagged at me. Why didn’t she tell me my investor was McKay? I felt sick just thinking about her betrayal. When she’d brought me the contract, she’d seemed entirely too happy that she’d found me the deal I needed to solve all my business problems.
Granted, I’d been desperate for financing to help me manufacture my new clothing line, and no bank would have given me a loan until I could dig myself out of the ton of debt I’d accumulated over the years. Tabitha had been my salvation. She’d used her business connections to find me a secret investor who would be willing to provide financing in exchange for a small percentage of my future profits. I’d been practically giddy when I signed the contract with the secret investor and felt the same again when two million dollars had been deposited into my business account with the promise of another million in six months. I’d quickly spent every last dime, paying outstanding business expenses to keep my company running.
My biggest mistake had been not looking over the fine print of the contract or taking the time to find out who the secret investor was. It was a mistake I was still kicking myself in the ass for to this day. But desperation could make you do some fucked-up things, and desperation had introduced the mysterious and eccentric owner of investment company MK Partners into my life.
“I never trusted her. Never,” Cisco snapped.
“Let’s be clear. I’m not blaming her for my stupidity in signing the damn contract without looking at the fine print.” I pointed to myself. “That fucked-up move is all me. But, damn, I trusted her as my friend. She could have been straight up with me and told me Core McKay was the secret investor. She owed me that much.”
Her betrayal had stung the most. Tabitha had been my mentor, and I’d thought she was my friend.
“But to leave her successful business and disappear? That shit is crazy,” I said flatly.
His eyebrows shot up. “Successful? Her business was only making money from the pieces of your collection you’d allowed her to sell there.”
“She had a little creative dry spell.”
“God, how can you still defend that bitch?”
I shot him an annoyed glare. “I’m not defending her. I’m just stating a fact.”
“And I told you months ago about the rumors circulating regarding her money problems.”
“Tabitha always had money problems. Her income could never support her lifestyle.”
Even after years of being the go-to designer for several celebrities, Tabitha’s extravagant lifestyle and years of partying and jet-setting more than she was designing had taken a toll on her business, but she’d still managed to stay afloat—or so I’d thought.
“Exactly,” Cisco responded.
“I don’t want to talk about Tabitha.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him along, deciding I needed to change the topic fast. “So how’s your newest acquisition?”
�
��Young and hung.” He laughed huskily. “Jesus, he does this thing with his tongue and my ass that makes my toes curl.” He wagged his eyebrows. “Oh, and did I mention he’s also a master at—”
I skidded to a stop, holding up my hand. “Don’t you dare say it, Cisco.”
His eyes widened with fake innocence. “But—”
I slapped my hand over his mouth. “Don’t. I get it. He’s gifted. Stop trying to make me jealous.”
He started talking, but thankfully, it was muffled by my hand. I removed it.
He smiled in his simply gorgeous way. “Only if you promise to have lunch with me this week. I miss hanging out with you.”
I grabbed his face and soundly kissed him on both cheeks. “I will.”
“Good. Now hurry your sexy ass upstairs to the lounge. The fitting rooms have been set up. Yell if you need anything.”
I stepped away, waving my hand over my shoulder. I hurried away and dashed up the stairs and into the cream lounge. A champagne bottle was open, glasses waiting. Dropping my bag, I checked each fitting room to see which one had whose gown before pouring myself a flute of champagne. Kicking back, I flipped through my designs on my tablet.
Jade sauntered in, and she flopped down beside me.
“Rough day?” I handed her my glass before pouring another for myself.
She guzzled her champagne like water. “Erika was a real hag today. She made me do a zillion takes just to flex her I’m-the-producer-of-this-damn-show muscle.”
“I don’t blame her. She’s frantic because you’re going to be away for months in New Zealand on your movie shoot.”
I was very proud that Jade was finally making her dream come true. She was taking the script she’d written and was independently producing a movie.
“So she makes me shoot longer scenes as punishment.” She sulked playfully. “I’m not just a pretty face, you know. It’s emotionally draining, running through a gamut of gut-wrenching scenes.”
“Oh, poor baby. Starring in a smoking-hot television series is so much work.” I pointed to the dressing room. “Now get your ass in there and change. I have lots of shit to do tonight, actress extraordinaire.”
Jade’s apple-green eyes narrowed. “Come on. Give me a minute.” She plopped her feet onto my lap. “I’m exhausted.”
I pushed them off. “The gala is tomorrow night, and this is your last fitting. Go. I can’t have you looking like a hot mess in my creation.”
Jade stood up and swayed away, mumbling under her breath about my lack of respect for her craft.
“Oh my goodness, Sin,” she squealed from inside the dressing room. She peeped out, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s beautiful.”
I grinned right back and said, “Change, Jade.”
The two-piece ensemble was risqué, but as usual, Jade wasn’t afraid to let the fashion take the lead, which was one of the many things I loved about her.
“And the designer can’t accept compliments,” she grumbled before popping her head back in.
Two glasses of champagne later, I yelled, “Jade!” There was total silence. “I know you’re dressed and taking selfies. Get your skinny butt out here. Now.”
“You’re so bossy today.”
She sauntered out, looking every bit one of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses as she flaunted her perfect body in my couture design of a midriff-baring white crop top with a flowing skirt. She turned around, examining her ass in the floor-to-ceiling mirror, doing a perfect imitation of a dog chasing its tail.
“Sin! Fix my skirt. It’s hanging funny around my ass.”
Leaning back against the soft, comfy gray couch, I sipped champagne, watching with amusement. “What do you want me to do about it?”
“You designed it. Fix it.” She frowned.
“God, you’re such a whiny baby,” I huffed before walking over.
Jade spun around in the mirror. “I’m your bestie, so I’m entitled. Fix it. My ass looks unspectacular.”
“That’s because it requires more ass.” I smiled saucily before twisting the skirt until it lay perfectly.
I stepped back, examining her in the white gown. The two pieces accented her lean body. She was the best walking commercial for my clothing line.
She laughed huskily. “Not everyone is blessed with a sexy ass like you.” She grabbed my glass before taking a sip.
I smiled. “What can I tell you? Ass is in, and I’m riding the motherfucking bootylicious wave, baby.” I reached in and hugged her. “And thank you for wearing my dress to the gala.”
Just the press coverage of Jade, the most desired and in-demand actor right now, would be enough to keep the fashion hags talking for days.
She fanned me away. “Please. You make me look sexy. Besides, if you made a dress out of plastic bags, I would proudly wear that shit.” She winked.
That was why I loved her so much. Despite the money and fame, she remained humble and real.
Jade shook her long black hair. “So how did your day go?”
“Sugar and spice,” I said. “I spoke to my new accountant today, McKay’s minion.”
She fluffed up her hair. “What do you think? Up or down?”
“Up.” I walked behind her, twisting her hair up into a loose high knot. “Like this but less messy.”
She preened in the mirror. “Up it is.” She shook out her hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders and down her back. “So what was the accountant like?”
I tightened my mouth. “He seemed like an okay guy. Just a little pushy. He kept going on and on about me calling McKay, and he gave me his number.” Stalling, I flicked at the nonexistent dust on her shoulder. “Oh, and I found out McKay paid my outstanding bill for the custom fabric I ordered.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That bill was five figures.” Her eyes narrowed at my frown. “That’s a good thing, right?”
I shrugged. “I guess. I also found out he got one retailer back onboard with carrying my collection.”
“Okay. So what’s with the sour face? You should be jumping up and down with joy—or at the very least, planning a scorching hot lap dance for Mr. McKay.”
I shook my head. “You do realize a lap dance isn’t exactly the solution to every girl’s problems?”
Jade screwed up her mouth. “Says who?”
I groaned. “Moving on because it’s just too exhausting to debate over your theory right now.”
“Well, it seems to me McKay is doing all the right things by you.”
“I beg to differ. He had a conference call with the retailer this morning and didn’t bother to invite me.”
She jammed her hands on her hips. “Uh-huh. And why does that matter?”
My eyes widened. “Because I’m a part of this business. I’m not just the hired help.”
“There could be a plausible reason for his oversight.”
I walked toward the settee before sitting down. “Like what?”
She rolled her eyes heavenward. “Like why don’t you fucking ask him? This shit is ridiculous. Woman up. Pick up the phone and call him.”
“Negative on that idea.” I rolled my shoulders to relieve the tension. “Do you think I’m cursed? Because it feels like it.”
“Cursed? Blessed is more like it. He paid off your fabric distributor bill and smoothed things over with at least one retailer.” Jade humorously blinked her eyes. “Holy shit! Yes. He’s a damn monster,” she finished mockingly.
“He didn’t do it because he’s a saint.”
She strolled over to the sofa and sat down with a loud sigh. “You’re damn right. He did it because, guess what? He’s a businessman. Has it even crossed your mind that your approach to your predicament is all wrong?”
I sat straight up. “Oh, hell no! Don’t go all Zen bananas on me.”
She held up her hand. “Don’t get mad. Just listen to me. I know men.”
I frowned. “And I don’t? I haven’t fucked in a while, but that doesn’t mean I’m hopelessly out
of commission.”
“I’m going to ignore that statement because it’s just too much work to go into why it’s just… well, all wrong.” She gave a quick shake of her head. “Jesus. Have you learned nothing from me all these years?”
“Oh, I’ve learned plenty from your too-much-information recaps of your sexual escapades. Lesson number one”—I counted off on my fingers—“breathe through your nose, not your mouth, when trying to take a cock to the back of your throat without gagging. Number two, a Dirty Sanchez isn’t for the fainthearted. Oh, and the most important lesson”—I batted my eyelashes almost comically—“have lots of painkillers on standby after getting fisted.” I smiled saucily. “All good lessons. Thank you.”
Jade winked at me. “Well, you know me. I’m willing to do all the hot, sweaty research for the betterment of your fuck game.”
“I haven’t had any complaints yet.”
“Because of me doing all the damn legwork.” She slapped my thigh. “But let’s not get all distracted. Back to McKay.”
I reclined. “No. I’m tired of talking about him.”
“All I’m saying is you’re fighting fire with fire and getting absolutely nowhere with him. Honey is what’s needed.” She fluttered her eyelashes, dramatically tossing her hair. “Like that, but with you, you’ve got to spread it on thick and wear something low cut when you’re doing it.”
I looked at her like she’d lost her ever-loving mind. “Not going to be able to do it.”
“Okay. Your choice, but he’s holding all the cards.”
I scoffed. “He’s a prick.” Gorgeous and smoldering, but undeniably, he’s a bona-fide asshole.
“Grasshopper, that shit doesn’t matter. All that matters is you’re making yourself miserable over a deal you’re stuck with until he chooses to end it. Do you know how many deals I’ve made that suck ass? Too many to fucking count, but I did them because I had to give a little so those Hollywood movie executive pricks would even consider me for prime roles.”
“He took ninety-seven percent of my business.”
“He’s the bank, and you’re the creator. You both need each other.”
