Page 26 of Her Supermodel Stalker
“Who’s that?” Jimmy runs toward me, hugging my leg.
Amanda stops in her tracks when she spots the boy.
Curiosity and jealousy flash in her eyes. “You got yourself a son in just two weeks?”
I don’t answer. Although I would very much like to acknowledge Jimmy as my son, it isn’t the case. “Why are you here?” I ask her instead.
She rolls her eyes. “Do you really think I wouldn’t be able to find you? You’re a celebrity, Devin!”
I shrug. “I knew you would. It’s why I’m not surprised. I’m asking what you are here for.”
She glares at me. “Is that how you greet me? Does our friendship mean nothing to you? I missed you, okay?”
I can’t say the same to her, so I don’t speak. We had a one-night stand years ago, but we made it clear it was over. Amanda has been working for me since I started my modeling career. I hate to admit, but she’s good at what she does, and I owe my earlier success to her.
“Buy me lunch,” she demands. “I’m starving.”
I stifle an eye roll. Shit. She sounds as if she’s the boss. I really should fire her. I’ve had the thought but always let the soft side of me win.
Our relationship is complicated. Amanda was a bright, talented woman, and she was devoted to me. For many years she did an outstanding job promoting my image, and she taught me a lot of things, from what women wanted to see in a male model to how to behave and speak in interviews. We had a good relationship until one day I made a mistake sleeping with her. I would rather not dwell on the details, especially since we both agreed it was a mistake. I’ve wanted to fire her because the one-night-stand is keeping our relationship from being professional. While I want to forget it, Amanda doesn’t let me. She’s been nasty to the women I date. In fact, she’s directly responsible for my breakup with my past two girlfriends. I forgave her only because those weren’t serious relationships anyway, and no one was seriously hurt. I suspect she’s also the one who created the rumor about me being gay.
“Sure, there’s a Burger King nearby.”
Amanda frowns. “Burger King? Are you serious? What if you are spotted there? It’s bad for your image! In all these interviews, you speak against junk food, and I post on Twitter regularly about what your daily meals are like. And now you’ll show the world you consume junk food?”
I shrug. “I don’t care.”
“You don’t care?” she shrieks. “I work hard to maintain your image, and you just toss it away like garbage!”
“Come on, Amanda,” I sigh. “Relax. It’s not a big deal. I told people to consume junk food with modesty, never tell them to stay away completely.”
“It’s not just that,” she argues. “You’re Devin Gamble, a symbol of a refined, classy man with expensive tastes in clothes and food. You’re God to your female fans. You can’t show up in a place where their uninteresting husbands frequent. It’ll diminish your image in their minds.”
I roll my eyes at her preposterous reasoning. I have no idea she’s truly concerned about my image or simply wants to dine at an expensive place. “Okay, you win. Since there isn’t any fancy restaurant that suits my image, let’s go to my house. I’ll make you an egg sandwich.”
She presses her lips into a thin line, clearly not happy with my suggestion. And then she says, “On the other hand, this might boost your image as a carefree, approachable figure. I’ll post it a picture on Twitter.”
I shrug. “Whatever you say!”
As we’re speaking, a petite blond comes out of the building, and Jimmy squeals. “Mommy!”
My annoyance evaporates at the sight of Lexi hugging and kissing her son.
“Mommy, Devin is taking us to Burger King!”
Lexi stands up and glances at Amanda, who’s narrowing her eyes at her.
“Amanda, meet Lexi, assistant winemaker, and Lexi, this is Amanda, my publicist.”
Lexi smiles and holds out her hand. “Nice to meet you!”
Amanda isn’t that thrilled. She doesn’t even smile. “Nice to meet you, too.”
And then she turns to me, “You babysit for your employee?”
“What’s wrong with that?” I ask.
While Amanda huffs, Lexi says to Jimmy, “Jimmy, we’re not going to Burger King today. Devin is busy. Mommy brought the macaroni and cheese grandma made.”
