“Werner is trash, Dex. You know it and I know it. But I know pickings are slim in this town.” She leaned over the register counter and showed an ample amount of cleavage. If the rumors were true, she’d paid a fortune for her breasts. He could admit she’d gotten her money’s worth. Nothing as fine as Maya’s but still…
“You’re right.” He handed her back her credit card and squarely met her gaze. “Pickingsareslim. Good thing I hooked Maya when I did. She’s the most beautiful, talented woman I’ve ever met.” He didn’t smile. “Don’t you think you’ve gone far enough, Selena?”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying your petty jealousy is ugly. Get over your animosity. Try and be happy without taking others down, why don’t you?”
She glared at him. “You’re going to be sorry about this.”
I’m already sorry I let you in to my studio.He sighed. “Selena, you need to—”
She turned on her heel and stormed out the door.
Dex wondered what Maya would think if she knew Selena had made a move. Despite them being supposedly broken up, he could just see Maya fly-tackling Selena and beating her head against the ground on principle alone.
No. Better not to mention this small incident. To anyone. He went back to plotting, wondering how best to win Maya back.
“Can you believe he just smiled and waved goodbye? Like it was no big deal?” Maya yelled Friday night, still infuriated that Dex had left days ago with so little fanfare.
Riley sighed. “Maya, you ended things with him. What did you want him to do?”
“It’s been a goddamn week! Not a call, a text, an email, nothing. It’s like he got what he wanted and left.”
“And what would that be?” Ann asked drily. “I know we keep saying this, but you dumped him, not the other way around. And for your information, his mother is the sweetest woman. Not a racist at all, you drama queen.”
“Does it even matter?” Maya paced around Riley’s living room, glad Ann hadn’t brought Jack to this particular movie night. She froze and pinned Ann with a glare. “What do you know of his mother?”
Ann cleared her throat. “Jack and I had dinner with Dex and his parents the other night… Anson might have stopped by too,” she said by way of an apology to Riley.
Riley shrugged. “His family. Not my business.”
“It’s so weird how he acts normal around Connie and Theo—Dex’s parents. I mean, normally Anson is such a pain. But Wednesday night, he was actually sweet and I—”
“Hello,” Maya interrupted. “We’re talking about me, not Riley and Anson. Ann, why are you cozying up with Dex?”
Ann crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m cozy with Jack. Jack is friends with Dex. Do the math.”
“Why are you mad at me?”
“Because you’re a moron, maybe?” Riley piped in.
“There’s that.” Ann nodded. “Look, Maya. Dex is a wonderful person. You dumped him, not the other way around. He’s been nothing but nice to you. You told us how he was there for you when you dropped the bomb on him about your mom. He never said a thing to the guys about it. At least, not to Jack.”
Riley nodded. “Dex keeps to himself. He’s nice. He’s kind—your opposite.”
“Fuck you.”
“Yeah, you’re not mean at all,” Riley scoffed. “The guy is hot enough to handle himself. You get guys hitting on you all the time. Dex gets girls wanting him. You’re a pain. He’s sweet. You’re a dork about money. He’s rich. You’re yin and yang. Why are you fighting him so hard?”
Riley’s words built until the steam inside Maya needed an outlet. “Because he’stoo damn good for me. He can do better.” The last word ended on a crack. “Much better. You said it. He’s perfect. So what’s keeping him from finding someone better later on?”
“Told you.” Ann nodded.
Riley sighed. “I had hoped this wasn’t about your low self-esteem.”
Maya angrily swiped her cheeks. “I don’t have a poor self-image. I’m cocky, remember?”
“To mask that you think you’re ugly and stupid.”
