Authors: Sedona Venez
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.
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?”