Asking for Andre (13 page)

“I’m surprised you came in today.” He leaned over the edge of the reception desk and tried to look at her screen.

She angled it away slightly and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Of course I came to work. Why wouldn’t I?”

He smirked and threw a crumpled tabloid magazine on the counter in front of her face. “You’ve found your golden meal ticket apparently. Why bother coming to work anymore?” He stuck his hands in his pocket and walked away whistling.

Casey picked up the magazine and stared in horror. It was a grainy picture of her and Andre, walking away from his car. Her arm was through his and her face was tilted up listening to something he said. It was unmistakably intimate.

The headline read
Is Italy’s Prince Charming Cheating with a Local Cinderella?
Casey’s stomach dropped at the headline.
Cheating?

Suddenly the doors to the agency swung open and Jason Gaultier walked in, followed by Law and Mya. One look at their faces and she knew they’d seen it.

“Is Andre here yet?” Jason didn’t even bother with a greeting. He’d always been polite but apparently he was past pleasantries.

She shook her head mutely. He cursed and pulled out his phone.

“I can’t believe people were following us around, taking pictures of us.” Just the thought made her feel ill. They weren’t doing anything wrong, but having her private business splashed across a tabloid made it seem cheap and tawdry.

“Neither of us is cheating on anyone. Why would they say that? They can’t just make up lies, can they?”

Mya squeezed her shoulder. “Unfortunately, tabloids do it all the time.”

“But why would they do that? I mean I’m nobody,” Casey cried.

“That’s what makes it so interesting. If you were some fame-hungry actress it wouldn’t have made the front page that you were dating him.” Jason turned his back to her and launched into a stream of French.

Andre came in then and she ran into his arms. He held her tightly and ran a soothing hand over her hair. “It’s going to be fine. I should have expected this. Prepared you for it. It was negligent of me to assume that they wouldn’t photograph you.”

“I’m just sorry you have to be embarrassed.”

He waved that away with a flick of his hand. “I’m hardly embarrassed. I’m used to this, unfortunately. The good news is that the media has a short attention span. In a day or two no one will even remember this story.”

Jason walked up, his eyes flicking over Casey as if she barely rated importance. “Not likely. We’ve lost our funding.”

Andre stiffened in her arms. “She actually did it?”

“Yes, she’s pulling out. If we don’t find another investor in the next week we won’t be able to launch at fashion week and the fragrance line will have to be put on hold as well.

“But who would do that?” Casey cried. “Why would one of your investors care about who you’re dating?”

Andre sighed. “Because it’s my mother. Don’t worry about it. She’s always dramatic when she doesn’t have her way.”

Casey left them talking and walked over to Mya. Law was on his cell phone with his back to them. She’d assumed he was still mad at her but his expression had been sympathetic when they walked in. “Law doesn’t seem too upset.”

“No one blames you for this, Casey.” Mya squeezed her arm. “You can’t control what those idiot reporters write. It’s not your fault. We’re going to consider this free advertising and find a way to spin it to our advantage. That’s what we do.”

Casey nodded and smiled. “Thank you for being so nice about all of this. And for your advice before. I’m trying not to be so dumb, as you put it.”

Mya laughed. “Good. Now go over there and work this out. If you need to take the day off, I’m sure Law won’t care. If he asks, I’ll say it was my idea. This is one of the times I’m glad I’m a VP.”

Casey walked up behind Andre. He was talking in low tones. “She’s not going to change her mind this time, Jason. We’ll have to find another investor.”

“I’ve already tried.” Jason glowered over at her. Casey felt as if her feet were rooted in the ground. She couldn’t move if she tried.

“Try again.” Andre spoke slowly. His voice was tight, almost a restrained yell.

“If you don’t do what she wants, then everything we’ve worked for will be lost. I haven’t come this far to watch you throw it all away for a piece of ass.”

Casey couldn’t help it, she sucked in a harsh breath. Andre turned then and saw her standing behind him. His face twisted into a mask of rage as he faced the other man again.

“Apologize. Now.”

Jason shot her a look of derision. “I’m not apologizing. She may have you under her spell, but I’m still thinking with the head on my
shoulders
.
No pussy in the world is that good.”

The room went dead quiet and then Andre swung, his fist connecting with the other man’s jaw with a loud crack. Jason tumbled into a side table before jumping up and charging at Andre. The two men fell backward into the wall, punching and kicking. Casey screamed when they flew past her. Mya grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way.

An ear-splitting whistle rent the air.

“What the hell is going on here?” Anya stood with her hands on her hips surveying the men sprawled on the floor. Andre stood and walked over to Casey.

She shook her head and backed away. “Please, I can’t talk right now. I just need a minute alone.”

His face fell but he nodded and then walked out the front doors, Jason trailing a few feet behind.

Anya walked over and picked up the pieces of a ceramic bowl that had been broken in the scuffle. “The good stuff always happens when I’m late.” She tossed the pieces of pottery in the trash can.

“Oh, you didn’t miss much. Just a tabloid story with yours truly on the cover. Also the entire Lavin account is now in jeopardy because his hateful mother decided to pull her money out of the company.”

Anya gestured to the mess on the floor. “Does that have anything to do with the boxing match I just witnessed?”

Casey snorted. “That was just the encore, where my lover’s best friend told him I’m a cheap whore who’s not worth all this trouble. That’s all.”

Anya crossed her arms. “Hmm. Sounds like prime-time television. A little over the top for my taste.”

Casey walked behind the reception desk and noticed her college dashboard was still open. She leaned closer to see her grades from her last quiz. The “D” next to the quiz number hit her like a slap in the face. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes, Anya stood in front of her.

“Casey? Are you okay?”

Casey shook her head hard. “Can you find that newspaper for me?”

Anya rustled through the papers on the reception desk. “Here it is. Although I think calling it a newspaper is an insult to newspapers everywhere. This is trash, pure and simple.”

“Look at the headline, Anya.”

Anya frowned down at the paper. “Is Italy’s Prince Charming Cheating with a Local Cinderella?” Her eyes widened. “Casey you can’t believe anything you read in a tabloid. You don’t really think he’s cheating, do you?”

Casey shrugged miserably. “How would I know? For all I know, he could have a penthouse just like the one he has here in other cities. Maybe he has a woman playing house with him in every city he travels to. I’m in way over my head here.”

“I’m sure he can explain, Casey. The way he looks at you… I don’t think that’s an act.” Anya pushed the paper away. “Don’t let what some stupid tabloid reporter made up bother you. They’ll print anything to sell papers.”

At that moment Jason came back in, stopping short when Anya turned to glare at him. “What do you want?”

He edged by her warily. “I just need to get my briefcase. I dropped it in one of the conference rooms while I was making calls.” His eyes met Casey’s briefly before he turned away.

“Wait!” She ran from behind the desk and stood in front of him. She held up the paper and his eyes narrowed. “Is there any truth to this?”

He looked at his feet. “Not exactly.”

“Not exactly? I
knew
it. He’s really married isn’t he?” Casey cried.

Jason looked up, startled. “What? I didn’t say that! He isn’t married to Lucia, they were only engaged.”

Casey gritted her teeth. “Oh? They were only engaged, is that all? My mistake.” She walked back behind the reception desk and snatched her purse from the floor. After a moment of hesitation, she picked up the tabloid and folded it under her arm.

“Wait, let me explain. They broke up, I swear.” Jason said.

Casey pointed at the door. “Just leave, Jason, please? Haven’t you done enough for one day?”

He threw up his hands and walked down the hallway leading to the conference rooms. He emerged a few minutes later with a black briefcase. He tried to approach again but Anya blocked his path.

“I think she just needs a little time to deal with all this. I’m sure Mr. Lavin will be back soon and this whole misunderstanding will be cleared up.” Anya motioned toward the door. He frowned at her but turned to leave.

Just as he pushed at the door, he looked back at Casey. “I’m sorry.” Then he was gone.

Anya came over and pulled Casey into a quick hug. “I meant what I said to him. I’m sure this whole thing is just a misunderstanding.”

“That’s just it, Anya. With some men, there’s always a misunderstanding. There’s always an excuse. I’ve seen this movie before and I already know how it ends. This time though, I can’t afford to play the game.”

She pulled a blank sheet of paper from the printer. “Would you give him something for me?” She wrote each word with precision, as if the care she took writing the words could somehow soften the blow of the contents. She’d been foolish to think that having what she wanted could be easy. Rich, handsome princes only came to the rescue in fairytales.

Anya slapped a hand on the edge of the paper she was writing on. “I really hope that’s not a ‘Dear John’ note. Mr. Lavin has had enough betrayal for today, don’t you think?”

Casey pulled the paper free carefully and folded it into a neat square. “I have to do what’s right for me, Anya. I’ll be back later. Right now, I need to get out of here before I lose it.”

She glanced at the mess on the floor again, his friend’s words coming back to haunt her.
No pussy is that good.
Jason was an asshole but he had a point.

Andre had worked to make his business a success for years. If he lost all that because of her, eventually he would resent her. It would be like a slow poison eating away at any life they built together. She couldn’t allow him to throw everything he’d worked for away for something that could never last anyway.

And she couldn’t throw her pride away again for a man she couldn’t trust.

* * * * *

Andre leaned against the building next door to the agency and closed his eyes in frustration. After walking around the block a few times to cool off, he’d come back to Mirage to find that Casey had left. Law had refused to tell him where she was or when she’d be back. He’d gone to her apartment and banged on the door but he hadn’t heard any sound inside. So, he’d finally just come back here.
To the scene of the crime.
He shook his head remembering all that had transpired just a few hours ago.

All he had was a handwritten note Anya had given him along with a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

Andre unfolded the plain white sheet.

I can’t do this anymore. I’m so sorry. I’ll come by the penthouse later to get my things.

He’d read the carefully written words over and over and they still held no meaning. All that came through in his mind was the note of sadness, finality. She was ending their relationship over lies. He couldn’t let that happen.

“I can’t believe you’ve been waiting out here all this time.”

He jumped at the unexpected sound of her voice. She stood just inside the doorway wearing a burnt-orange sweater that brought out the caramel tones in her hair. She looked like sunlight. He had to step closer to be sure he wasn’t imagining her.

“Why did you leave like that? I’ve been going crazy trying to find you. Law wouldn’t tell me where you were. I’m pretty sure I even threatened him. You’ve driven me to criminal activity.”

Her lips twitched but she didn’t move or attempt to come closer.

“I’m sorry I left that way.” Casey rubbed her arms and fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. “Everything was falling apart and I needed a minute to think. We don’t really know each other at all.”

“I know you.” Suddenly angry, Andre stalked over to her and drew her against him. She fit in the cradle of his body perfectly. “I may not know every detail yet, but I know your heart. I know
you
.”

“Who is Lucia?” Casey demanded.

Andre stilled. “Who told you about Lucia?”

Casey’s eyes closed and she let out a long, slow breath. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is that
you
didn’t.”

“No, Cassandra, please listen. I broke up with Lucia long before I met you. She’s someone my mother wants to see me with. But she’s not who I want to be with. That’s you. Only you.” Andre squeezed her arms gently but she stepped back, out of his embrace.