The Girl With Diamonds (Midtown Brotherhood Book 2) (6 page)

“Ma’am, I promise you that I keep my professional life and—”

“That doesn’t matter. I know you are a responsible woman. Websites and magazines like
The Whisperer,
though. They will take that spark and fan the flame. They will make it spread. They’ll let it burn you alive before you even seen the smoke.”

Magnolia swallowed. It sounded too familiar. If one tiny news article in her college paper cost her the interview of a lifetime, Magnolia didn’t want to imagine what a magazine like
The Whisperer
could do to her career.

“I just want you to be aware.” Mrs. Stamcose stood and walked around her desk. She sat on the edge and looked Magnolia dead in the eye. “I created this internship program because I like to help young people succeed. To give them opportunities I wasn’t offered. I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.”

Magnolia nodded. “I understand.”

Mrs. Stamcose smiled. She reached over and pushed play on the video again. There wasn’t any sound, but it didn’t matter. Facial expression told the story. Austin grinned, and the scowl on her face deepened. Mrs. Stamcose released a chuckle. “Understanding and having the ability to do anything about it are two different things, Miss Cross.”

“I promise there is nothing to worry about. I’ll take care of it.”

“Good luck with that.” Mrs. Stamcose looked over her shoulder at Magnolia before turning back to the screen. “He’s cute.”

Chapter Seven

MAGNOLIA’S CHECKMATE

Magnolia survived her rink-side interview thanks to Evan’s usual overall awesomeness. He reserved the media room for them and scheduled for Magnolia to interview the coach. He told her it was because she needed the practice, and the new setting would offer a different atmosphere, but Magnolia knew Evan was dishing out the biggest favor ever.

It didn’t mean she stopped looking over her shoulder every minute for any unwelcomed visitors. Not that she should expect any. Austin probably knew
The Whisperer
posted that interview of them, and was now dead set on avoiding her too. After the way he acted at the sight of Ferocia at the rink, he probably never wanted to look in her direction again.

The thought did
not
disappoint her.

And if she said it enough, she
would
make herself believe it.

“Look at you.” Cressida’s voice was loud, and she screeched it like they hadn’t just seen each other a couple hours ago.

As much as Magnolia wanted to curl up under ten blankets and hide from the world, she couldn’t make herself stand Cressida up. She agreed to go with her to this ridiculous ‘drink wine while you paint’ class weeks ago. It didn’t matter how many times Stella told her social protocol did not dictate that she coddle Cressida’s every whim, she wasn’t the type of friend who left you hanging. She was crabby, but she was there.

Magnolia waved before signing in at the desk. The eccentric Euro fusion bar turned art studio was quaint but cute. It held a certain high class refinery that could only be found in Manhattan. Magnolia had never worn a cocktail dress to a crafting event, but Cressida warned her of the appropriate dress code for the occasion. It was the grand opening, and it was Midtown. Cocktail dress. Always a cocktail dress.

She accused Cressida of control freak issues, but now that she was here, and saw twelve other women dressed in the same haute attire, she was glad Cressida gave her the heads up. The last thing she wanted to do was stand out.

“You look like a tiger let out of its cage.”

“Would you stop it?” Magnolia grabbed Cressida’s arm and pulled her closer, afraid one of the other women might hear her.

“What?” Cressida trotted over to a nearby waitress and grabbed two glasses of wine. “All this time, I thought you were this conservative ninny from the sticks, but the past couple weeks have really brought you out of your shell.”

Magnolia self-consciously pulled at the short hem of her dress.

Cressida smacked her hand away. “You stop it. I like this Magnolia.”

Magnolia gladly accepted the wine and took a gulp. Surviving Cressida always called for wine. “I was never a conservative ninny.”

“You know what I mean. You never dressed like this at work.”

“Just because I take my job seriously doesn’t mean I don’t know how to have fun…in moderation.”

“Mmm. Girl. That cleavage you’re showing is not in moderation.” Cressida giggled into her glass. “I’m going to take you to the club after this, and show these Yankee boys what they’ve been missing.”

Magnolia playfully slapped her shoulder. “Hush. I’m going home after this. I have another interview tomorrow before the guys leave for their road trip.”

Cressida groaned and started leading Magnolia over toward the studio side of the building. Rows of spiraled iron stools set paired with easels in neat little rows separated down the middle by an aisle of red plush carpet. A couple women already took up the front row next to the platform that displayed a table and bowl of fruit they would attempt to replicate later. There was supposed to be a live model, but Magnolia had complained during the staff meeting that morning that the Greek model turned pop singer had canceled at the last minute. So, now they were stuck with apples and oranges.

Magnolia took the first open seat next to Cressida on the aisle. “Speaking of interviews,” Cressida said, whispering to her, “Stella texted me and said you totally ditched my idea and interviewed the coach today.”

“Wasn’t my call. Evan arranged it.”

Cressida held her glass to her lips. “That Evan. I will have to deal with him.”

“You will do no such thing. He’s a good guy. He was only looking out for me.”

Someone cleared their throat behind Magnolia’s shoulder, but it wasn’t until she heard the voice that she turned around. “Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

A girl with bright auburn hair smiled at her. She sat at the easel on the other side of the aisle. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but are you a reporter for MSG?”

Magnolia groaned. This was it. The beginning of the end. This girl probably saw the video and recognized her. Ferocia’s evil plan to ruin her career was quickly taking hold. “I am.”

The girl’s eyes lit up. “I thought that was you.”

Magnolia scrunched her nose, and the girl laughed. “I really don’t mean to bother you, but I had to tell you that I loved the interview you did with Austin Blakely.”

Austin was right. The magazine was evil. Ferra Decantur was worse. Something much worse.

Magnolia ran an annoyed hand down her face, sighing into it. “You shouldn’t believe anything you read in
The Whisperer
or that you see on their ridiculous website
.
”

The girl smiled. “I didn’t see it on
The Whisperer
. Well—I mean—I did, but that’s not where I know you.” She stuck her hand out to shake, and Magnolia cautiously took it. “I’m Leila Rylander. You also interviewed my husband the other night. Henrik. Though that interview wasn’t quite so memorable.”

“Your husband?” Cressida suddenly perked up. She leaned over Magnolia’s lap, practically scooting into the seat to share it with her. “You’re married to Henrik Rylander?”

“Yeah.” Leila turned her head curiously to the side. “Why?”

Cressida squeezed Magnolia’s shoulder as if reining in her excitement. “I want to ask you so many inappropriate questions.”

“Cressida!” Magnolia smacked Cressida’s shoulder.

“Oh, c’mon, Mags, you know you’re curious how far down all those tattoos go.”

Cressida slid back into her seat with a little encouragement from Magnolia’s elbow. She had to teach that girl manners. When Magnolia looked back around, Leila continued to smile. “So…you and my brother.” She paused, her smile broadening. “That interview.”

Magnolia’s lips pressed tight. She definitely just said brother. That meant she’d been right. Austin and Henrik were related. Leila seemed nice enough, but the last thing she wanted to talk about was that interview. Especially with Austin’s sister. She couldn’t handle one more person taking up for him.

Leila reached over and touched her hand. “It’s okay. I know Austin was a jerk.”

Leila must have read the surprised look on her face.

“I grew up with hockey guys,” Leila said. “They might look like adults on the outside, but they forgot their maturity back in college. My brother is no exception. Austin should have saved his shenanigans for after the interview.”

“Thank you.” Magnolia deflated. All the nervous energy and annoyance she built up faded. Finally. Someone understood.

Leila picked up her glass of wine and took a small drink. “That being said. My brother isn’t a bad guy.”

Then she gave Magnolia the look. The sister look. Magnolia had two sisters. She knew what that look meant.

“I’m sure your brother is—”

“Amazing,” Leila said, interrupting. “He’s the best big brother imaginable. I went through a lot the past two years, and Austin never left my side, not even for a moment. My daughter, Lucy, the one you met at the Blazer’s game. She is crazy about her uncle. And Henrik. Don’t even get me started about his bromance with Austin. Henrik almost risked our relationship because he was so scared of losing Austin as a friend.”

Cressida leaned across Magnolia’s lap again, clinking her empty wine glass against Leila’s. “Amen, sister. I’ve been preaching this to her all freaking day.”

Again, Magnolia pushed Cressida back into her seat. “You told me to stay away from the athletes.”

“I lied. Sue me.”

Magnolia shot Cressida a death glare and slowly turned back to Leila, trying to regain her thoughts. “Like I said, I’m sure Austin is a great guy, but I’m in New York to salvage my career. I can’t risk my job so your brother has someone to flirt with every week.”

“This one has a chance to move to L.A. in the spring,” Cressida said, giving Magnolia a not-so-gentle congratulatory slap on the back.

Magnolia eyed Cressida. “How do you know about that?”

Cressida snorted. “I have my ways.” She leaned closer. “I hear everything.”

Leila was laughing now. “How many glasses of wine has she had already?”

“Too many.”

Leila scooted up to the edge of her seat, moving her feet into the aisle between them. “I don’t think this thing with you is about flirting for him. I think he has a crush on you.”

Magnolia nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s the difference?”

“With my brother—there is a big difference. I can’t remember the last time he had an actual crush.”

“It’s the smile,” Cressida said, remaining in her spot for once. “You can tell by his smile. It’s different than his usual one. It changes when he looks at her.”

Magnolia shot her a glare. “No one asked you.”

“Yeah. I noticed it on the video, but it didn’t hit home until I saw him talking with you at the game Saturday. That wasn’t his normal flirting smile.” Leila nodded now as if Cressida made perfect sense.

They had to stop this now. She had to stop it before they all started making too much sense. She’d made up her mind already. “It’s best if we stay away from each other. I think we can all agree that we don’t need to give Ferra Decantur any new reasons to be interested in us.”

Leila bit her lip, and then took a rather guilty sip from her wine glass. “I may need to apologize, then.”

“Apologize for what?”

Leila winced. “I texted Henrik that you were here right after I saw you walk in.”

Cressida popped up to her feet.

Magnolia’s heart started to sputter, and she ignored the pat on the shoulder from Cressida. “You think he’d tell Austin?”

Leila’s smile was soft and warm. “Those two tell each other everything.”

“Oh. Hell.” Cressida shook her shoulder harder now, until finally Magnolia turned around.

“What is it?”

Cressida placed one hand over her heart like she might faint and started slapping Magnolia on the head with the other. “This got interesting real fast.”

The bell above the door chimed. Magnolia swatted Cressida’s hands away and turned toward it. Five very large figures, resembling a string of crime fighting heroes, stood at the desk. In the middle, like the Norse God of them all, was Austin. A black on black combination of shirt and jacket only complimented the holey jeans and reckless glint in his eyes.

It was the wine. Only the wine that caused her blood to run warm and her thoughts to fuzz into a haze. Magnolia purposely turned around in her seat. Austin said for himself that
The Whisperer
was dangerous. He would never risk being seen with her after Ferocia posted that—

Damn it, they walked toward her.

Henrik approached first. He threw his arms around his wife, taking her seat before delicately placing her in his lap. “Good afternoon, ladies. Funny meeting you here.”

Leila kissed his cheek. “I told them about the text.”

It didn’t deter his grin. Henrik simply cleared his throat and tried again. “Good afternoon, ladies. Thanks for inviting us.”

Then came the rest of them, a parade of dirty fantasies. First Callen Copley with his lip ring and I-don’t-care attitude. He winked as he trotted by. “Georgia.”

Then Samuel O’Dell. He gave her a simple, but perfectly sweet smile. “Georgia.”

Last was Drew Rylander, or at least, Magnolia assumed it was Henrik’s younger brother. He couldn’t deny the matching blond hair. He gave her a chin-up acknowledgement. “S’up, Georgia.”

She held her breath. She knew what waited for her next.

“Magnolia.”

She took her time turning around. Slow and steady. She made sure not to look him directly in the eye. Like the sun, she feared Austin might blind her. Or worse, cause her to lose the grip she had on her stool and topple over with lust.

Austin Blakely would break her. She knew that now. It was only a matter of time. She couldn’t let that happen.

Cressida took a step backward, already moving in the direction of the other guys like a magnet drawn to its opposite. “This must be what heaven looks like,” she said, giving Magnolia a pat on the head. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”

Magnolia tried to grab her hand, to pull her back to sanity, but it was no use. She was on her own. Austin motioned toward the empty seat beside her. “Do you mind?”