by Todd, E. L.
I stared at him, still unsure what to do.
“I’ve made the decision for you. We’re done here.”
“Tony—”
“If you love me, you’ll take the money.”
“It’s going to cost a lot.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know how much money I made on the Yankee game today?”
I said nothing.
“A million. I think I can afford it.”
“I’ll pay you back,” I said.
“I don’t want your money, baby.”
“I have to pay you back.”
He sighed. “By then, what’s yours will be mine anyway.”
I felt my heart throb at his words. “I love you so much.”
His eyes softened. “And I you.”
12
I didn’t quit my job the next day. Instead, I pretended that nothing was amiss. Tony wasn’t very happy about it, but I was still debating what I should do. Even if I didn’t tell anyone that Tony gave me the money to start my own company, people would connect the dots, especially Janet. But she hadn’t called me in weeks. And even though I was livid with her, I missed her like crazy. And if I missed her, I knew Tony did too.
After work, I met Layla for a drink. I hadn’t seen her in a while and I missed her. She was already sitting at a table, looking at her phone. I approached her then gave her a big hug.
She hugged me back. “Are you doing okay?”
I sighed as I sat across from her. “I’ve been better.”
Layla pushed a drink closer to me. “I got your favorite.”
I took a big drink. “Thanks.”
A man approached our table then smiled at Layla. The creepiness was leaking out of him. I moved in my chair just to get away. He was eye-fucking the shit out of Layla.
“So, I was about to head out….”
Layla grabbed her drink and threw it in his face. “Fuck off.”
He closed his eyes as the liquid dripped down his face.
I froze in my chair, unable to believe that actually happened.
After he slammed his fist against the table, he left the bar.
I stared at Layla. “What was that?”
“He hit on me earlier and he wouldn’t back down. I just snapped.”
“Kyle would be proud,” I said.
“Kyle would take me on the table because he’d be so happy about it.”
I laughed. “How is it with you two?”
“Good,” she said with a smile. “I like having him around all the time.”
“Work and at home,” I said. “That’s a lot of Kyle.”
“And a lot of sex,” she said with a wink.
“I’m jealous. I wish I worked with Tony.”
“Believe me, we don’t get a lot of work done.”
“I can imagine,” I said with a laugh.
“So, how is it with you and Tony? I haven’t heard anything.”
“It’s great. I love him.”
“Wow. That was quick.”
“We’ve been together for two months,” I said. “And you’re one to talk. Didn’t you drop the L word in the first month?”
She smiled. “Maybe…”
“That’s what I thought.”
“When did you sleep together?”
My cheeks blushed.
“You’re such a whore,” she said with a laugh. “On the first date?”
“The second.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s so much better.”
“Sometimes I think I loved him the moment I met him. The connection was there immediately. And I hadn’t gotten in laid in years. I was desperate and he delivered. And then I fell for him even more because he was such a sweetheart. If that was a mistake, it was the best one I ever made.”
Layla stared at my face for a while. “You seem really happy.”
“More than you’ll ever know. We went to California a few weeks ago and it was so romantic. I just keep falling more and more. He keeps catching me so I just let go.”
“He took you on a trip?”
“I don’t want him for his money,” I blurted.
Layla rolled her eyes. “Cassie, I know that. You don’t need to tell me twice.”
My eyes widened. “You believe me?”
“Of course I believe you. And besides, you didn’t know he was rich until you slept with him, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I feel like that’s enough proof. And you wouldn’t do that to Janet.”
“I wish she thought the same.”
She sighed. “I don’t know what her problem is. I understand her hesitance, but this situation is just stupid. She shouldn’t cut both of you out of her life.”
I played with the coaster on the table and averted my gaze. “Did she say anything about me?”
Layla shook her head. “She never mentions you.”
“Tony?”
“No.”
“I hate this,” I whispered. “I feel like a part of me is missing.”
“I’m sure she feels the same way.” The bartender brought her another drink and she sipped it. “What else is new with you?”
“I’ve been going through hell at work.”
“What happened?”
“It’s a long story,” I said with a sigh. “Basically, I’m going to lose my job.”
“What?”
I nodded. “It’s out of my hands. I’m tired of fighting it.”
“Are you looking for something else?”
I was quiet for a moment. “Tony said I should open up my own clothing line. I could be successful then get revenge on my old boss.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
I looked at Layla. “It costs a lot of money.”
“Get a loan.”
“I could never get a loan big enough.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
I was quiet.
“Oh…”
“I don’t want Janet to think I’m taking his money because I’m using him. I’m not!”
“Now I understand.”
“I don’t know what to do. I really want to make this happen. I’ll even pay him back. But I’m scared what other people will think. I can’t lose Tony. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I love him. I really do.”
“I believe you,” Layla said gently.
“Then what do I do?”
“Well, it doesn’t sound like Janet is going to be changing her mind anytime soon. And she assumes you’re using him anyway. If he offered, you should just take it.”
“You really think so?”
“And you said you would pay him back, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then you should just do it,” Layla said. “And Kyle and I can help. At Satin Magazine, we can order supplies for a discounted price.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Of course.”
I grabbed her hand across the table. “Thank you for believing me.”
“You’re my best friend,” she said. “Of course I believe you.”
I nodded then pulled away.
“So, this is exciting,” she said with a smile. “You have to hook me up with some awesome clothes.”
“Of course I will. If I’m ever successful with this.”
“Tony’s rich so he probably knows all the right people.”
“I don’t,” I said. “He’s just educated about sports. I don’t see how he knows anyone in the business world.”
She shrugged. “You never know.”
After we had our drinks, I walked to Tony’s apartment. I didn’t tell him I was coming but I knew he wouldn’t care if I stopped by. I missed him, like I always did, and I wanted to sleep with him. I always had a good night’s rest when I was held in his arms.
When I knocked on the door, Scott answered.
“Hey,” he said.
“What are you doing here?”
“Watching the game.”
“Oh,” I said. “
I didn’t know there was one on.”
“There’s always a game on.” He opened the door wider.
When I came inside, I saw Tony sitting on the couch. He jumped up when he saw me. “Hey, baby.” Tony picked me up, rubbing his nose against mine. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t know you were having people over.”
“You aren’t interrupting anything,” he said. “You can come over whenever you want.”
“You shouldn’t have said that,” I said with a smile. “Now you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
“It’s all part of my diabolical plan.”
“I’ll eat all your food, use all the hot water, and hog all the sheets.”
His eyes brightened when he stared at my face. A slight smile was on his lips. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“You say that now…”
“I’ll always say that.” He put me down then opened a drawer in his kitchen. He pulled out a key then handed it to me. “Mi casa es su casa.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
He wrapped his arms around me. “It’s your key. Come over whenever you want.”
“Uh, I can’t accept this.”
His happy expression turned dark. “You will take it. I didn’t ask if you wanted it. I’m giving it to you.”
“But this is your place.”
“Exactly. And I can do what I want.” He grabbed my purse and pulled my keys out. He clipped his onto the ring then returned it to my purse. “I never want to hear you knock again.”
“What if you’re doing something private and I just barge in on you?”
“I don’t have anything to hide, baby.”
“What if you’re watching porn?”
He laughed. “I haven’t watched porn since we got together. And I don’t suspect I ever will again. I like the real thing.”
“Well, I should give you my key too.”
“No,” he said quickly. “You don’t have to reciprocate. I just want you to have my key.”
I looked at it in my purse. It had the Rangers logo on it. So typical. “Well, thank you. That was very sweet.”
He smiled. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“I’ll let you get back to your game,” I said as I moved toward the door.
“Whoa, hold on.” He pulled me back. “Why did you come by?”
“Oh. Just to talk. But it can wait.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
He caught my saddened expression. “Let’s go in my room.”
“No,” I said quickly. “Enjoy your game.”
“Watching it isn’t going to change the outcome of the score. I either win or I don’t.” He pulled me toward his bedroom then shut the door. “What’s up?”
“I was hanging out with Layla.”
“How did that go?” he asked as he sat on the bed.
I moved to the spot beside him. “I told her about the clothing line idea.”
“What did she say?”
“She’s supportive.”
“And she doesn’t think you’re a gold digger?” he asked.
“No.”
“She sounds like better friend than Janet.”
I didn’t have a response to that.
“So, that means we’re really doing this.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
He rolled his eyes. “If that makes you feel better about taking my money, then fine.”
“It does.”
“I’m glad you’re pursuing this.”
“Only if I don’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” he said as he held my hand.
“That’s all that matters to me.”
He caressed my knuckles with his thumb. “So, I have a few ideas to destroy your boss. My favorite idea is paying the company to fire her and ruin her reputation. Then, I’d pay every other major fashion company to not even interview her.”
Even though I hated my boss, I didn’t like that idea. “She has a family.”
“So?” he snapped. “She threatened to do the same to you. I have a feeling she isn’t bluffing.”
“But…she’s been working there for twenty years.”
“Again, what’s your point?”
“That’s just…I can’t do that.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you being serious?”
“I can’t do that to her.”
“Even though she would do the same to you?”
“I just can’t.”
He sighed. “I think I just fell more in love with you, if that’s possible.”
“I’ll get my revenge, but I won’t do it like that.”
“Well, I have another idea.”
“Let’s hear it.”
The guys cheered when a score was made. Their voices carried into the bedroom.
Tony didn’t seem to care. “Victoria Sullivan is a good friend of mine.”
“The supermodel?” I asked incredulously.
He nodded. “I can have her come down to the studio and inspect your dresses. I’ll ask her to like them and marvel at them, showing your boss that you are talented. But she’ll wait until after your boss rejects your work. Then Victoria will make a big scene about it, saying your chief editor doesn’t even know what the definition of fashion is. That will be a slap in the face.”
My eyes lit up. “That would be awesome.”
“I’ll arrange it.”
Victoria Sullivan was a household name. She had been in Sport Illustrated, was a Victoria’s Secret model, and even had her own reality television show. She was a really big deal. I felt my heart clench painfully. “How do you know her?”
“All rich people know each other. We attend the same events and parties. Since we’re only one percent of the country, there are very few of us.”
I nodded. “But that didn’t answer my question.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’ve never slept with her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
He smiled. “Jealous?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? She’s a fucking supermodel.”
“You’re a fucking supermodel,” he said.
I laughed.
He grabbed my face and looked at me. “I mean it. You could model your own clothes if you wanted to. I could ask Victoria to show you a few things.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I like fashion, not modeling. And I love food too much to be a model.”
“Not all models have to be ridiculously skinny until the point they’re anorexic. If you were in a lingerie ad, I can guarantee guys would jerk off to your picture.”
That made me blush.
“I’ll arrange everything with her.”
“I’m really looking forward to this.”
“I am too,” he said. “And the revenge doesn’t stop there. I’ll make sure your clothes get recognized by the right people. Pia’s magazine will be the only exclusion. I’m sure her superiors won’t like that very much. They’ll do the dirty work for us.”
“Thank you for doing this for me,” I said.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re letting me help.”
“I wouldn’t if you had any doubt about my love for you.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t.”
I sighed when I thought about Janet. Now there was no going back.
Tony caught the look. “Don’t think about her.”
“I miss her.”
“I miss her too.”
13
When we met Victoria, I was immediately self-conscious. Models were usually Photoshoped so they looked totally different in real life. That wasn’t the case with her. She was as beautiful and sexy as she was portrayed in every picture. She wore five inch heels and still walked gracefully. I would fall on my face. Her legs were long and lean and she had a tiny waist. Her breasts were perky and noticeable. I wondered if she had any work done.
When she
approached Tony at the table, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. I didn’t like that very much.
“How are you, darling?” she asked in a British accent.
“I’m well. How are you?”
“I’m doing better now.” She smiled at him then flipped her brown hair over her shoulder.
“Vicki, this is my girlfriend, Cassie.”
Vicki? He had a nickname for her? I kept a smile on my face and shook her hand. Her wrist was so small I could break it with my fingers.
Her smile seemed genuine but I couldn’t be sure. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“You too.”
When we sat down, Victoria sat across from Tony. I immediately put my hand on his thigh, claiming him like a psycho. Tony didn’t seem to mind. I knew it was unfair, but I already hated this girl. She stared at Tony like she was fascinated with his appearance.
“You look good,” she said. “You’re still diligent with your workout?”
“Every morning,” he said with a nod. He didn’t compliment her appearance, which I was grateful for.
“So, how are you? I’ve missed you.”
I felt my anger rise. Tony said he didn’t sleep with her but something obviously happened between them. He wouldn’t lie to me, but I didn’t think he was completely honest either.
“I’ve been busy with the team,” he said. “It gets hectic during the season.”
“Are they making it to the playoffs?” she asked.
“They better,” he said with a laugh.
She sipped her water when the waitress came over.
I wasn’t hungry at all. I just picked a random entrée from the menu.
Tony looked at me. “Babe, what are you getting?”
“Uh, the house salad.”
He raised an eyebrow.
I had never ordered a salad when we went out together. I didn’t even eat them at home.
He didn’t press me and turned to the waiter. “I’ll have the turkey sandwich, and she’ll have the same.”
“What?” I said.
Tony ignored me.
“And you, miss?” the waiter asked.
Victoria glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the Santa Fe salad with no avocado, no cheese, and no dressing.”
I almost rolled my eyes but I stopped myself.
The waiter nodded then walked away.
“So,” Victoria asked. “What do I owe the pleasure?”
