Page 128 of Mr. Aster
“Do you honestly think you’re funny?” I asked, my PMS bulldozing any semblance of patience I had left. “Because you’re not. I am the only one who writes the gossip in this so-called magazine. The rest of the articles are pretty decent. I have a question for you,” I said, cutting him off before he could respond. “Why do we even call this a magazine, anyway? People read our shit with online subscriptions or by downloading the app. We don’t even sell magazines.”
“You’re in a shit mood today, aren’t you?”
I rubbed my forehead, diffused instantly by Max’s confused and almost sad response.
“I am, and I’m sorry,” I smiled.
“Why don’t you get out of here?” he said. “You look pale and, quite frankly, awful.”
I stood up. “I’ll take that advice,” I responded. “Maybe I’ll go to the beach or something.”
“You really fell for that guy, didn’t you?” he asked.
“I did,” I half-smiled. “It was stupid, I know, but yeah.”
“How long has it been since you’ve heard from him?”
“He tried calling two weeks ago, the night before he took off out of nowhere on his private jet. He didn’t leave a voicemail, so I can only assume he didn’t want to dump me that way.”
“Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding, and you’re taking two weeks of no communication the wrong way.”
“While I appreciate you digging for answers to my problems, I’m going to have to stop you. I don’t want to discuss it with you or anyone else.”
“Understandable,” he answered. “The Mitchells, though? Would you mind meeting with them at a short?—”
“Avery already invited me,” I smiled. “I’ll try to go. I haven’t really wanted to be around anyone since Sebastian stopped talking to me because Idon’twant to talk about it. So, if I go, hopefully, the distraction of the new Real Estate Tycoons that Jim is rubbing elbows with will keep everyone’s attention off me.”
“Perfect,” he said. “Juniper has always been intrigued with the three Hawk brothers. He can’t resist stories like theirs, climbing the social ladder overnight. People love those stories.”
“Yeah, everyone except the people who are already at the top of the ladder,” I said, rolling my eyes at how right Sebastian was about Juniper and his weird obsession with these elites. He was like some pervy old voyeur; he couldn’t get enough of peering into the lives of wealthy people. “Juniper needs therapy or something. He’s like some weirdo stalker who obsesses over this shit.”
“You’re the one writing the column, darling,” Max chuckled.
“It pays the bills,” I said, “and now that I’m moving into that studio on Melrose, I’m certainly going to need to keep writing.”
“You shouldn’t have rented there,” he said. “I told you to look at Orange County.”
“I told you I did. Orange County is just as expensive,andit’s out of my way. I got a great deal and a three-month lease here, and I’m good with that.”
“One day, you’ll finally decide to move here permanently,” he said as I grabbed my purse and laptop and started to leave.
“Not likely,” I smiled. “Once I stop acting like a broken-hearted nerd, I’m going home to Napa Valley. No one could ever convince me to put down roots in the city. I’m a Napa girl at heart.”
“Enjoy yourself today and stay away from this place for a few days. It’ll do you some good.”
“I believe that,” I winked, waved him off, and left the office.
I tried not to think about it, but one question kept running through my mind: if Sebastian had strong feelings for me like he made me believe, how could he gotwo weekswithout calling me?
I called him back when I saw his missed call, but he didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if he was calling to break things off or what, so I didn’t leave a voicemail, either. I had no idea what to think. I didn’t know if I’d pushed him away or if he just ran away like a big coward who was afraid of relationships.
All I knew was I didn’t show weakness, even if I felt it. So, it was time I put on my game face and go to Avery and Jim’s house in Malibu tomorrow. They were hosting the Hawk brothers for a small dinner with a few close friends, which was exactly what I needed right now, to be at their beach house and enjoy the beauty of Malibu. That and meeting the fresh meat that Juniper wanted his next story on—the Hawk brothers.
Being at Jim and Avery’s place in Malibu was always a refreshing treat. I’d only been there a handful of times, but what was better than being in a gorgeous mansion on the beach?
Jim and Avery, no matter how many people they hosted, were always so chill, making it a relaxing atmosphere no matter what.
“So, while Jim and the guys are entertaining the guests, I want you to tell me how you’re doing,” Avery asked as Nat, Ashley, and Mickie went to the poolside bar to grab drinks for us.
