Cassie (11 page)

He smiled. “Jealous?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? She’s a fucking supermodel.”

“You’re a fucking supermodel,” he said.

I laughed.

He grabbed my face and looked at me. “I mean it. You could model your own clothes if you wanted to. I could ask Victoria to show you a few things.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I like fashion, not modeling. And I love food too much to be a model.”

“Not all models have to be ridiculously skinny until the point they’re anorexic. If you were in a lingerie ad, I can guarantee guys would jerk off to your picture.”

That made me blush.

“I’ll arrange everything with her.”

“I’m really looking forward to this.”

“I am too,” he said. “And the revenge doesn’t stop there. I’ll make sure your clothes get recognized by the right people. Pia’s magazine will be the only exclusion. I’m sure her superiors won’t like that very much. They’ll do the dirty work for us.”

“Thank you for doing this for me,” I said.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re letting me help.”

“I wouldn’t if you had any doubt about my love for you.”

“It’s a good thing I don’t.”

I sighed when I thought about Janet. Now there was no going back.

Tony caught the look. “Don’t think about her.”

“I miss her.”

“I miss her too.”

13

When we met Victoria, I was immediately self-conscious. Models were usually Photoshoped so they looked totally different in real life. That wasn’t the case with her. She was as beautiful and sexy as she was portrayed in every picture. She wore five inch heels and still walked gracefully. I would fall on my face. Her legs were long and lean and she had a tiny waist. Her breasts were perky and noticeable. I wondered if she had any work done.

When she approached Tony at the table, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. I didn’t like that very much.

“How are you, darling?” she asked in a British accent.

“I’m well. How are you?”

“I’m doing better now.” She smiled at him then flipped her brown hair over her shoulder.

“Vicki, this is my girlfriend, Cassie.”

Vicki? He had a nickname for her? I kept a smile on my face and shook her hand. Her wrist was so small I could break it with my fingers.

Her smile seemed genuine but I couldn’t be sure. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You too.”

When we sat down, Victoria sat across from Tony. I immediately put my hand on his thigh, claiming him like a psycho. Tony didn’t seem to mind. I knew it was unfair, but I already hated this girl. She stared at Tony like she was fascinated with his appearance.

“You look good,” she said. “You’re still diligent with your workout?”

“Every morning,” he said with a nod. He didn’t compliment her appearance, which I was grateful for.

“So, how are you? I’ve missed you.”

I felt my anger rise. Tony said he didn’t sleep with her but something obviously happened between them. He
wouldn’t lie to me, but I didn’t think he was completely honest either.

“I’ve been busy with the team,” he said. “It gets hectic during the season.”

“Are they making it to the playoffs?” she asked.

“They better,” he said with a laugh.

She sipped her water when the waitress came over.

I wasn’t hungry at all. I just picked a random entrée from the menu.

Tony looked at me. “Babe, what are you getting?”

“Uh, the house salad.”

He raised an eyebrow.

I had never ordered a salad when we went out together. I didn’t even eat them at home.

He didn’t press me and turned to the waiter. “I’ll have the turkey sandwich, and she’ll have the same.”

“What?” I said.

Tony ignored me.

“And you, miss?” the waiter asked.

Victoria glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the Santa Fe salad with no avocado, no cheese, and no dressing.”

I almost rolled my eyes but I stopped myself.

The waiter nodded then walked away.

“So,” Victoria asked. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

Tony placed his arm over the back of my chair. “I want to ask for a favor.”

“I’d do anything for you, Tony.”

I was hating her more and more.

He nodded. “Cassie works for Castle Magazine as a fashion designer.”

Victoria looked at me. “Oh. I assumed you were a model.”

I was speechless. “Uh…”

Tony smiled at me, clearly enjoying my embarrassment.

“No,” I said.

“Have you considered it?” Victoria asked. “You have a nice complexion and perfect proportions. And the angles of your face are desirable.”

“Are you being serious?” I blurted.

Victoria smiled. “Yes, dear.”

Tony turned to Victoria. “She’s so humble about her appearance, it borderlines complete ignorance.”

“Well, you are very beautiful, Cassie,” she said.

I turned the shade of a tomato.

“Anyway,” Tony said. “She’s having some problems with her chief editor. Basically, her boss continues to reject her work, and she’s going to be terminated for it. We want some revenge.”

“And how can I help?”

“Go into the studio and watch. When Pia disgraces Cassie, jump in and compliment Cassie’s work. Then insult Pia. That’s it.”

She smiled.
“Pia Giovanni?”

“You know her?” I asked.

“She’s a bitch,” Victoria said. “Yes, I know her. And I’ll do it.”

“Thank you so much,” I blurted.

“Absolutely,” she said with a nod.

“I also wanted to talk to you about something else,” Tony said.

“I’m listening,” she said.

“Cassie is starting her own clothing business. She could use some help getting off the ground, marketing her work, shipping it to distributors, things like that. I would love it if you could lend her a hand. Of course, you can say no. There’s absolutely no problem with that. I understand if you
have other responsibilities and may have legal issues supporting Cassie’s work.”

Victoria was quiet. She ran her fingers through her hair then sipped her water.

“Take all the time you need,” Tony said.

The waiter brought our food and set it down.

Victoria picked at her lettuce and I nibbled on my sandwich. I wished Tony had just ordered me the salad. I felt like pig when I looked at Victoria.

“I’ll do it,” she said.
“After Cassie shows me her work. If I don’t like it, I can’t put my stamp of approval on it.”

Tony nodded. “I
completely understand. Thank you very much.”

She nodded and ate half of her salad. I didn’t understand how she functioned on such a small portion of food. I ate my entire sandwich because I was starving. All the fries were gone too. Tony still had some on his plate so ate those too.

Tony smiled at me as he watched, amused. “You’re so cute.”

I flinched at the compliment. Victoria must have heard him.

Tony placed his hand on the back of my neck and touched me gently. When his fingers brushed my hair, I shivered. His eyes shined bright with the love he had for me.

“You guys are cute,” Victoria said.

“I think it’s just her,” Tony said. “How are you and Fernan?”

“Good,” she said. “He’s in Italy until next week. I’ve been a bit lonely.”

“I’m sorry,” Tony said.

She sighed. “I’ll manage.”

After Tony paid for lunch, we went to the sidewalk. He embraced Victoria then pulled away. She kissed him on the cheek then smiled at him. Even though she was seeing someone, I didn’t like it when she kissed my boyfriend. I kept a straight face since she was doing me a huge favor. Victoria hugged me next then kissed me on the cheek. I realized the affection might be a cultural practice. She was from England. Maybe I completely misread that.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.

Tony nodded. “Thank you, Vicki.”

“Anything for you.”
She got into a cab and drove away.

Tony put his arm around my waist then held me close. “It looks like our plan is in motion.”

“Yeah.”

He stared into my face. “What?”

“Nothing…”

Tony sighed. “There’s no reason to be jealous.”

“I’m not.”

“I can see it on your face.”

“Well, you lied to me.”

His eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“There was something between you.”

He looked away and watched the people go by. His hand fell from my waist then moved into his pocket. “We dated.”

“So you lied to me?” I felt my anger explode. After Danny lied and cheated on me, I had absolutely no tolerance for that.

“No,” he snapped. “I’m not a liar. I’ve never been one nor will I ever be.”

“Then what happened?”

“We dated for a few weeks. She and I fooled around but we never went that far.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t like the idea of him kissing her, but it was better than him sleeping with her. “Why did you break up?”

He sighed. “I think Victoria is an amazing woman. She built the empire she has now, starting with absolutely nothing. But she and I just didn’t…hit it off. She’s very superficial and shallow. I knew she wasn’t with me for my money because she’s richer than I am, but I didn’t feel anything for her. I thought I would fall for her but it never happened. So I ended it before she got hurt. And I’m glad I did it because she and I are still friends. There’s nothing more to the story.”

“You intentionally misled me.”

“No, I didn’t,” he said. “But I didn’t want you to miss this opportunity because of something so petty.”

“Petty?”

“Yes, petty,” he snapped. “I love you. I haven’t loved something like this in a really long time. The last person who had my heart broke it years ago. So, there’s nothing to feel threatened by. I could have her whenev
er I wanted her, but I don’t. It’s just you.”

I avoided his gaze and looked at the street. I knew I was being immature but I couldn’t help it. It didn’t bother me that he dated her. It bothered me that he downplayed their relationship. “Danny cheated on me and lied to me for months. I’m very susceptible to lying. It’s something I don’t tolerate.”

“And I didn’t lie.”

“You still stretched the truth. I don’t accept that behavior.”

He sighed. “Cassie, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. But I doubt you want to hear about every girl I’ve dated or fucked. I’m just trying to protect your heart. I know I wouldn’t want to hear about it if the situation was reversed.”

“The truth is still better.”

Tony wrapped his arms around me and looked into my face. “You can trust me, Cassie. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t. I made a mistake and I won’t repeat it. I’ll always be blatantly honest with you. If that’s what you want.”

“One more chance.”

He nodded. “I won’t let you down.”

“Thank you.”

He kissed my forehead then ran his fingers through my hair. “I really hope this doesn’t change our plan. Victoria’s help is essential in both places. If you have her support for your company, your clothes will be sold everywhere. Magazines will want to interview you. And I bet Victoria would even model for you if she likes your style. Please don’t let your jealousy interfere with that.”

“It’s not the jealousy that bothers me.”

“Then don’t let my stupidity ruin it.”

I took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“Now let’s go home.”

We went back to his apartment and watched TV on the couch. I curled up next to him and enjoyed the scent of his skin. His fingers ran through my hair and touched the back of my neck.

“The guys are coming over.”

“Is a game coming on?” I asked.

“Yep.”

“I’ll get out of your hair,” I said as I moved away.

He grabbed me. “Just because I’m watching a game doesn’t mean you have to leave. You’re always welcome here.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

He stared at my face. “Did Danny do that?”

I wasn’t expecting the question. I didn’t like talking about him.
“Yeah.”

“Well, I’m not him. I like it when you’re here. You don’t need to leave.”

I smiled. “Okay. I just didn’t want to cramp your style.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Having my ridiculously gorgeous girlfriend sit on my lap while I watch the game isn’t cramping my style, baby. It’s a little uncomfortable because I have a hard on all the time, but that’s it.”

I blushed.

The guys came over an hour later. The TV wa
s turned up and the pizza arrived. I sat on Tony’s lap while he watched the game then went into the kitchen when I wanted another beer. Scott came beside him.

“How are you?” he asked.

I hated looking at him. He always reminded me of Janet. “I’m okay.”

He nodded. “
Just so you know, Tony’s birthday is this week.”

“It is?
He didn’t tell me.”

“Janet said he’s always really quiet about it. I figured he didn’t tell you.”

“Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“Of course.”

“Does Janet talk about me?”

He shook his head.

“What about Tony?”

“She says she misses him like crazy.”

“She hasn’t thought about talking to him?” I asked.

“No,” he said. “She’s sticking to her guns. She really doesn’t want you two together.”

I sighed. “I hate this.”

“I know,” he said as he patted my back.

“I hate not seeing my best friend. But I hate Tony not seeing his sister more.”

“It’s a crappy situation.”

I stared at Tony while he watched the game. He didn’t talk about Janet but I knew he was upset about the situation. He and Janet were close, as close as she and I were. I was breaking up a family by staying with him. It was unfair and I didn’t do anything wrong, but I still felt responsible. The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.