“Is Veronica still treating you like shit?” he asks, his expression tight with worry.
“Yes,” I sigh. “And she’s worse when you’re around. She accused me of trying to seduce you and said my clothes were too revealing.” My fists ball at my sides. The anger bubbles up, rising in my chest as I replay the conversation.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He shakes his head, stunned.
“I wish I was,” I say, exhaling sharply. “She thinks I’m doing this to steal Trang’s position.”
A laugh slips through his throat. “Wow, she really is something. I didn’t know she would be like this when I agreed to work with her.”
“I guess now I have to go fucking shopping for a new wardrobe,” I groan.
“She’s out of her mind if she thinks changing your attire would make you any less attractive. You could be wearing a trash bag and you would still be the most beautiful girl in the world.” He flashes me a smile, dimples sinking into his cheeks.
Blush spreads across my cheeks and flutters stir in the pit of my stomach.
Damn it. Why does he have to say stuff like that?
“She said having a sexual relationship with you is prohibited,” I continue, shaking my head.
“Damn. I guess your little fantasy about me bending you over her desk can’t happen then,” he says, his mouth lifting into a smirk. “That’s a shame.”
My cheeks redden further, and heat pools to my core. “Maddox, this isn’t funny,” I say, slipping back into serious mode, trying to push away the explicit thoughts circulating through my mind. “I’m so tired of coming to work and wondering if today will be the day she’ll fire me.”
“I’m gonna have another talk with her. Just because she’s your boss does not give her the right to disrespect you like that,” he says, his tone firm.
“There’s no point, Maddox.” I shake my head, letting out a defeated sigh. “She’s a horrible human being, and there’s nothing you can say to her that will change that.”
“I can’t stand seeing you unhappy,” he murmurs, letting out a long sigh.
I exhale slowly, my eyes fixed to the ground. “I just gotta learn to accept the fact that this is my life now.”
“But it doesn’t have to be,” he says, taking a step closer to me. “New York might be the fashion capital, but I know you’ll be successful no matter where you live. God gave you this gift for a reason. You’re not only robbing yourself but also the rest of the world of your talents if you don’t share those beautiful creations in your sketchbook.”
Warmth spreads through me, chipping away at the ice encasing my heart. I’ve been trying to guard my heart from him, but when he says stuff like this, it makes it impossible for me to not feel something.
Maddox always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself, and it’s clear he still does after all this time.
“I know you said you don’t want my money, but…” He pauses, lifting his eyes to mine. “What if I gave you a loan?”
“I don’t want to be in your debt, Maddox. I’ll probably die before I can pay you back in full.”
He chuckles. “You’re always so pessimistic. I wouldn’t invest in something I didn’t think was promising. Youwillbe successful, Annalise. You’ll make the money back in no time.”
I chew the inside of my cheeks, shuffling my feet. “I don’t know…”
“Will you at least consider it?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Sweet.” His lips tilt into a smile.
“How’s everything going with the collab?” I ask.
“Not to sound like an asshole, but Trang’s designs are atrocious. I tell her what I want and she does thecompleteopposite.” He lets out a groan, dragging his hand down his face. “Veronica told me Trang is the best, but I don’t see it.”
I throw my head back, unable to keep from laughing.
Maddox quirks a brow. “I take it you’re not a fan of her either?”
