I walked around him toward the door. Duke followed quietly behind me, walked me outside, and opened the car door himself.
"Have a good time tonight. I'll be up when you get back. Love you."
"Love you more."
He leaned in for a few more kisses, then stepped back and closed me inside. I watched him through the window as the truck pulled away, and he stood there until I was out of sight.
I really loved that man.
The car slowed in front of The Ivy and I released a quiet breath. Paparazzi were already stationed outside, cameras ready. My security came around to open the door and led me through the flashing lights and into the restaurant. The hostess recognized me immediately and let me know my party was already seated.
Desirae was not known for being on time, so seeing her sitting there already, composed and waiting, caught me off guard. I took the seat across from her and my guards settled at a nearby table within eyeline.
She smiled the moment she saw me.
"Girl, it has been so long," she said first.
"It really has. How have you been? I've barely touched social media since I've been gone."
Desirae caught me up on everything she had been building while I was away. Runway shows, award shows, a growing list of celebrity clients. I was genuinely glad to hear she was doing well.We ordered drinks and then our food, since we had been to this restaurant more times than either of us could count.
We were well into our entrees when she asked, "So have you seen Henderson?"
I lifted a brow but kept my expression neutral, curious about where she was going with it.
"Yeah, he found me. He also put together the interview I did with Simone."
Desirae swallowed her bite, nodded slowly, then looked up at me with a more serious expression than I expected.
"He was almost unhinged when you left. The man completely fell apart. You would have thought the two of you had something going on. He was calling me almost every day asking if I had heard from you, like my answer was going to change from the last dozen times he asked."
I held onto every word. I had found his fixation strange myself, the way his entire sense of identity seemed tied to me. It had always been odd that I was his only client, but he always framed it as dedication, as his way of making sure I had his full attention and every available opportunity. I had taken it at face value.
"I know we aren't as close as we used to be," she continued, lowering her voice. "But I care enough to tell you to be careful. He isn't the man you remember anymore. And I'm sure hearing that you're done with acting isn't going to help things. I hope you're planning to leave soon."
I studied her face for a moment. She knew more than she was saying. Desirae glanced around the restaurant once, then brought her eyes back to mine.
"I know this feels strange. But trust me, leave all of this behind for good this time."
I nodded and tucked her words away carefully. I was going to tell Duke about this the moment I got back.
"Thank you for saying something. I have a couple more things to tie up here, but I have no plans to come back. I have too much waiting for me at home," I told her.
I picked up my glass and took a sip, then looked up toward the entrance and felt my stomach drop.
Henderson was at the hostess stand pointing directly in our direction.
I set my glass down and caught Desirae's eye.
"Did you tell him I was going to be here? Is that why you were giving me all of those warnings?" I asked, the paranoia creeping in before I could stop it.
Desirae's eyes went wide as she turned around to confirm what I was seeing. She spun back quickly.
"No. I would never do that. What would I gain from warning you about him in one breath and then calling him in the next?"
Before I could respond, Henderson was already crossing the room toward our table. My security moved fast and had him stopped before he could reach us, both guards holding him firmly while the entire restaurant turned to look. He started shouting at them and they looked back at me, waiting.
The last thing I needed right now was a scene. I waved for them to let him go.
