Page 90 of Fit for Love

I lead Kendall outside to wait and ask, “Did you ever have a roommate?”

It’s a roundabout way to test the “move in” waters, but I’ve got to start somewhere.

“Sure, for a minute in college,” she says.“I hated it.”

Fucking hell.How do I pivot this so that?—

“Kendall?”says an attractive older woman passing by.

Kendall turns, and her eyes widen.“Catherine.Hi.How are things going?”

Catherine smiles.“If that’s an awkward way to ask if Tierre regrets firing you, the answer is a resounding yes.”

Ah.So this is someone from Kendall’s old job.Given the fashionable way the lady is dressed, it tracks.

“I suspected so,” Kendall says.“But of course, we both know he’d never admit that.”

“Oh, yeah.But hey, in his defense, when the rumors began about you putting together your own line, he claimed he let you go so you could ‘spread your wings.’”

“Rumors?”Kendall asks.

Catherine shrugs.“A bunch of celebs that he knows told him they’re awaiting your VersaWear with bated breath.”

Kendall narrows her eyes at me.“Have you been plugging VersaWear more?”

I nod.“And I’m not sorry.When I believe in something, it’s hard for me not to tell people.”

Catherine turns my way, clearly just registering my presence.“Are you Kendall’s agent?”

Kendall frowns.“You know perfectly well who he is.”

“I do?”Catherine arches a bushy eyebrow.“And who is he?”

“Is this a joke?”Kendall looks at me.“You know her.”She turns to Catherine.“You know him.”

“I’m sorry, fashionista,” I say.“I’ve never met Catherine before.”

“It’s true.”Catherine gives me a thorough once-over.“He’s the kind of man I’d remember.”

“This isn’t funny.”A muscle in Kendall’s jaw ticks.“You told me to see him.”

“I did?”Despite copious Botox standing in the way, Catherine’s forehead crinkles.

“Yes.Three years ago.You said to see him to rid myself of mopiness, remember?”

Catherine shakes her head.“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

“He was working at Essence,” Kendall says insistently.

Catherine shrugs, looking confused.

“You called him Ash at the time?”

Wait a second.I completely forgot that she came to see Asher the day we first met.So this was the woman who referred her?

Catherine waves a manicured hand toward me.“This man isn’t Ash.I just saw the real Ash the other day, and he couldn’t look like this even if he got all the plastic surgery in the world.”

Kendall turns my way, her eyes wide.“So… you’ve never fucked this woman?”

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