“Because you look like you just ate a lemon. What gives?”
She picked up the menu and pretended to read the selections. The thought of food made her stomach churn and not in a good way. If she was following the rules, she’d stick to the NDA but the pet fair was public knowledge and not a private event. Anyone of the hundred or so people who attended would be privy to the same information. “I had a date with Erik today and it didn’t end well.”
“Juicy gossip? Do tell.” Kendra leaned closer, her elbows on the table. A toddler came running toward them and the child’s dad swept her into his arms.
Belle watched the little girl with envy. She’d never known her father. J.J. hadn’t either. He was a deadbeat dad who had never even tried to find Belle and was forbidden by Grandpa Hank to see J.J. She wanted children of her own someday but that day was far in the future. Erik certainly didn’t scream stability with his chaotic lifestyle. “It has nothing to do with the show. Erik accused me of not taking him seriously.”
“And?” Kendra asked, brow raised.
“And nothing. He said I didn’t take him seriously and he got all upset.” She became annoyed all over again. It had been an unfair thing of him to ask. There was nothing between them. Except sex and an undeniable attraction. Nothing more tangible. “The important thing is, I’m taking his career seriously. That’s what he’s paying me to do.”
“Erik might come across as shallow, but he’s pretty deep. I’ve seen a few interviews with him and he’d not as flighty as he seems.” Kendra dipped a chip into the salsa and held her hand under it to keep the sauce from dripping on her green dress. Like Belle, she was wearing a sundress to combat the heat.
“He told me not to believe everything I read. I get that the press exaggerates things. And I’d dismiss most of it if he hadn’t told me it was true, he is a player. Either it isn’t true and he lied to me, or it’s true and he’s trying to downplay it.” She hadn’t dated much for a reason. It was hard to let go and not be in control. She sipped at her margarita, allowing the icy coolness to drench her tongue. She’d been fuming since she left Erik and her parting salvo hadn’t been fake. Of course, he didn’t know that and she’d never tell him. It had felt good to say it. She was jealous as shit over Irina.
“He’s a guy. They brag about the stupidest shit. You’d know that if you read my article titled “Is his name Peter or Peter Pan.” One of my better pieces.” Kendra waved the passing waiter over and ordered another round of drinks, along with a taco plate.
“The boy who refused to grow up?” Erik wasn’t like that. He was deep, as Kendra said. But those deep waters ran under a layer of rock that was hard to penetrate. “But even if were interested, I would be a fool to date a guy like him.”
“I think I have an idea for another story. “Tinkerbelle, the girl who lived in Not-no-but-hell-no land,”” she said on a giggle. From the redness of her cheeks, Kendra was feeling the tequila.
Belle shook her head at her friend’s teasing. “More like “Whatever-Kendra-land.””
“Are you trying to tell me that if you weren’t representing him, you still wouldn’t date him? Even after the great sex?” Kendra raised a skeptical brow and dipped another chip in salsa. In many ways, she reminded Belle of Erik. Both used humor to deflect. She knew what Kendra was hiding. What was Erik hiding?
“He asked me out for two years and I said no. What do you think?” She snatched a chip from the pile and broke it into two pieces, then another two. The corn chip crumbled from the pressure of her fingers and fell onto the tabletop. She brushed it onto her napkin.
“I think you buried your head in the sand after you found J.J. Your dating life is as pathetic as that chip you just annihilated.”
The waiter returned with the drinks. Belle thanked him with a smile. He grinned back and propped his hand on his hip. “I’m a huge fan of the show.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Belle said. This was the first time anyone seemed to recognize her. She wasn’t sure what she should do next.
“Can I get a selfie?” He pulled out his phone.
“Of course,” she said, having little choice. It was bound to happen sooner rather than later. Once she was gone off the show, the notoriety would fade. At least she hoped that were the case.
“I hope he picks you.” The waiter bent down, his face near hers and took a picture of them. He showed her the screen. “The other women are boring, although Irina is a delicious bitch.”
“A delicious bitch. I like that,” Kendra said.
“She’s gorgeous but Belle captured my heart.” He grinned as he righted his tray and removed the old glasses. “Can I get you anything else for now?”
“No, we’re good. Thank you.” The heat in Belle’s cheeks wasn’t from the outside temperature.
“You are a celebrity now. How exciting. Can I get your autograph?” Kendra said on a laugh.
“Do people get autographs anymore?” Belle wanted to change the subject to anything but her and Erik. “How’s the new article coming?”
Kendra wagged a finger. “Nope, ain’t going to happen. If you weren’t representing Erik, would you have sex with him again?”
She wanted to say no but who was she fooling? “I’m representing him so it’s a moot point.”
“Never mind, it’s written all over your face.” Kendra stirred her drink with the straw, the teasing light leaving her eyes. “All kidding aside, it’s time you let loose for a change. Just because you have sex with a guy doesn’t mean you have to spend the rest of your life with him. Have an affair and once you get it out of your system, the guessing game will be over and done with.”
“Hypothetically speaking, what if I said fuck it and had sex with him again and he wants more? Then what? I can’t dump him. I work for him.” From what he’d said, she had a sense that he might have growing feelings for her. If that were the case, she’d have to rethink representing him. “If he fires me, Howler might never trust me enough to give me more of a client load.”
“He’s your brother. Have more faith in him,” Kendra said. “Speaking of which, how is hunky Howler?”
