Page 66 of Knowing You
‘Please don’t tell me you’ve signed with Thoth, Casey,’ she continues. ‘Did Violet tell you that she used to date Lenny – before he left her for me?’
Casey’s arm feels slack against mine.
‘I thought not. She’s used you to get her own back. Hats off to you, Vaughan. I didn’t know you had it in you. It’s quite flattering, really, that—’
‘It’s not true,’ I stutter.
‘And if her boss put her up to it, well, everyone knows I stole theEarth Gazerseries from under Thoth’s nose.’
Casey looks at me. ‘I didn’t.’
‘I guess Felicity would see signing you as the perfect payback,’ she says and smirks. ‘What’s more—’
‘Christ, just shut up,’ Lenny says to her in a low voice. ‘Can’t you tell that something isn’t quite right here?’
What does he mean by that?
I wait for Beatrix’s retort but she simply looks puzzled for a moment, looks at me again and then backs off. Lenny is just about to speak when a senior agent he works for collars him. With a backwards glance, he walks off.
No.
No, I internally scream.
That didnotjust happen.
Not after months and months of hard work.
I feel sick. Dizzy. Beatrix can’t crush my plans. That stupid bitch can’t be allowed the last word.
And then there’s Casey. Not the author or tool for payback, but the man who’s stolen my heart; a heart that will spontaneously combust if he gives it back.
I grab Casey’s hand and drag him out of the party room. After a quick word with a member of staff, we’re allowed to use the manager’s office. I shut the door behind us and pull Casey down onto the chestnut leather, studded chaise longue. I reassure him that I’ll explain everything. That things are not what they seem.
Does that include me?
‘What’s going on?’ he says.
I can do this. I can save our relationship. Yet I have to turn away for a moment, too ashamed to let him look at me.
Am I ashamed of the old version on the phone – or ashamed of the woman I’ve become?
‘Vi. Is it true? What Beatrix said? That Lenny left you for her? About theEarth Gazerseries? That all I’ve been is a player in some sort of revenge plan?’
‘No. I mean, maybe at first.’ I can’t lie anymore. I just can’t. The words fall out in between painful gulps. ‘Beatrix was so desperate to sign you. I knew that turning up at this party with you on my arm would—’
Casey’s head drops into his hands. ‘I thought we were good together. I can’t believe that you’ve just used me.’
I pull his hands away. ‘Wearegood, Casey. My feelings changed. Can’t you tell how much I like you?’
He looks up. ‘I don’t know. I don’t know you. You’ve seemed like such a sweet person – and intelligent, with ambitious goals and integrity. Have I been dating a real person or has it all been an act? I don’t get it. And why change your appearance so much?’
‘Please don’t do that.’
‘What?’
‘Patronise me. You saw the photo.’
‘You looked great.’
