“Yeah, I mention it all the time because it’s true. I always have a fling during a big project. Keeps me loose, keeps the creative energy flowing.” She shrugs like this is the most obvious thing in the world. “You should try it. Find some hot stranger, fuck his brains out, and I guarantee your paintings and mind will be better for it.”
The irony isn’t lost on me because I did find someone, and now I’m two weeks into a standoff that’s slowly killing my sanity.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I say dryly. “Men are a distraction.”
“You only need them for one thing. Here, I’ll give you some pointers. One: find a fling. Two: fuck each other’s brains out. Three: never stay the night, no matter what.”
“Fuck and run?” I roll my eyes at her.
“Yes, but make him come to you. After you orgasm, kick him out and enjoy serenity.”
I laugh.
“Fine, fine. You have no idea what you’re missing.” She waves her hand dismissively and watches a woman walk toward the bathroom. “Oh, that’s one of the women Patterson went on a date with last week. Claudia, I think.”
I ask for a refill. “I really don’t keep track of your brother’s love life. Not enough paper.”
“Right? He’s dated nine different women in the past three weeks. TMZ is having a field day.” She pulls out her phone and scrolls through headlines I’ve already memorized. “This one’s my favorite. ‘Angels Star Patterson Cross Spotted with Mystery Blonde at Exclusive Manhattan Club.’ She’s a Victoria’s Secret model. How does he snag them?”
“We know it’s not his charm.”
She shrugs. “I wish someone could explain it to me.”
I wish I could.
“Yeah, same. I surely don’t see it. He’s a prick.” I force myself to stay casual, even though my blood is boiling.
She smirks. “Maybe that’s why he’s been playing so well lately. Spending all that post-sex energy on winning.”
I nearly choke on the sip I was taking.
Addison tilts her head.
“Oh, before I forget to tell you, Jamie called me today,” I say, changing the subject. If anything will get the discussion off Patterson, it’s this.
“Yeah?” she asks. “He did mention you to me the other day. It’s almost like he regrets how things ended between you two. I think he needs to know you forgive him.”
“I kinda got that vibe too. He asked me to dinner when he’s in town again.”
Addison’s face lights up. “Yeah? What did you say?”
“I said yes.”
“Oh my God.” She grabs my hand across the table. “Are you going to give him a second chance?”
“No. You know I don’t believe in them,” I remind her.
“Okay, tell me this … would you sleep with him? I mean, if he’s in town, maybe you can kill two birds with one stone.”
“Um, absolutely not.”
“Oh, did you ever find a date to join you for that award ceremony where your dad is being honored?” she asks.
“Shit,” I whisper, opening my calendar. “I forgot about that.”
“What if you asked Jamie to be your date?” she suggests. “I’m sure he’d love to attend that.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I explain. “I might go solo so I can blend in and sneak out. I’ll think about it.”
