Page 73 of The Publicity Stunt

"Are you free for lunch today, by chance?"

Her eyes glance at her reflection in the mirror by the door, and she can't believe she left the house like this. "Are you in New York?"

"I am. I know how much you love that Italian place around the corner from your apartment. Can I buy you lunch?"

She knows she shouldn't, but part of her wants answers. Everything feels like it started because of him, and she would like to know why. "Give me an hour."

"No problem. See you soon."

Making a beeline for her bedroom and into the shower, she hopes Tessa doesn't realize she's home. The tour is over, but Tessa has stuck around. Not that Bri minds, but it feels like there's something more going on. She just doesn't have the energy to pry lately to find out what’s going on.

"Where are you going?" Tessa calls as Bri stands in the shower.

Shit. "Out to lunch."

"Alone?"

Rinsing the soap off her skin, she opens the frosted glass door just enough to stick her head out. "No."

"With who? Because I have to wash my hair before I can leave the house."

"Not with you. You'd probably throw fists if you came with."

She gasps. "You're meeting Kace?"

Bri wishes. More than anything, but she also knows she'd give in if she sits down to talk to him. "No, I haven't seen him since the hospital visit two months ago. Easton called."

"Easton who?"

Bri grabs the towel, dries herself off, and wraps it around herself before stepping out of the shower. "The only Easton you know. Well, I know. You might know more."

"Why?" Tessa asks and follows her into the walk-in closet. "You're not thinking of getting back together with him, are you? You aren't desperate, Bri. No matter how low you may feel, getting back with Erectile Dysfunction, especially in bed with him, is not the solution."

Laughing, she turns her back and slips on panties and her bra before removing the towel. "It's not like that, Tee."

"Then what is it like? Huh?"

"He called to meet for lunch. I don't know what he wants, but I know what I want."

"And what's that?"

She grabs a black, off the shoulder sweater and slips it over her head before stepping into a pair of well-fitted jeans. "Answers."

"Answers to what?"

"Why he did what he did. I'm also really curious if he really had no idea the kid wasn't his. Despite what everyone thinks, he's not that stupid. He just does really stupid things," Bri says and slips on a pair of black booties.

Tessa follows her back into the bathroom where she puts on just enough makeup to not get completely annihilated by the paparazzi when she's inevitably photographed.

"And you can't do this over the phone?"

"He's buying me pasta."

"Well, that explains everything then," she snaps. "Think about what you're doing, Bri."

Turning to face her, Bri stares up into her eyes. "Tee, I know what I'm doing. I don't have any feelings for Easton, and I just think this could give me the closure I'm looking for with this whole situation. What he did put everything into motion, and I just need something concrete. And pasta. I need pasta."

"You always need pasta," she jokes. "Okay, but just be careful. Promise?"

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