Page 93 of Brooke's Bliss
He paused for a moment as though trying to find any kind ofway out.“But she would be talking about your line.It’s the next one out.It’sthe one everyone is going to be talking about.You would be hurting yourself.”
“Oh, that line?It doesn’t have my name on it, asshole,” sheshot back.“No one outside of Bianchi knows it’s mine, and if you try to say itis, I’ll explain to the press that I have no knowledge of that line.Do notassume that I work off the same principles that you do.Right now the onlything I care about is fucking you over as thoroughly as possible.”
“Fine.I think the deputy’s here.”There was a deepbitterness to Mark’s tone.“I’ll let him know it was all a misunderstanding,and I’ll be out of here as soon as possible.Shitty town.And you know what?Ididn’t want to dress that cow anyway.I have no idea why the press isfascinated with that overweight bimbo.Good luck.If it works, maybe you’ll getmore of the fatties to try to design for.”
There was a click over the line.Rage bubbled inside Brooke.How many times had she heard that?Fashion was supposed to be for everyone, butthe truth of the matter was if you weren’t a sample size then you were a token.
She had what she wanted.She should let it go.
She pushed the number to connect her to an old friend.
“Hey, Brooke.”Logan’s calm voice came over the line.“Iheard you got attacked.”
Even through her anger, she was amused by how fast the Blissgrapevine worked.“Has he morphed into Sasquatch yet?Or an alien?I’ve heardwe’re crawling with them lately.”
“No, some city asshole.Maybe your old boss,” Logan replied.“I mean of course by the time it got to me you were absolutely in the hands ofaliens from theFaraxissystem.Apparently they likeour females.But I speak Bliss, so I know it’s probably your ex-boss, whohappens to be irritating the shit out of everyone at the lodge.I talked toLucy earlier.Pretty sure that was the guy she was complaining about.I caughtup with her at my moms’ store.”
It was good Logan remembered how things worked here.Hewould understand exactly what to do.If there was one thing beyond toleranceand acceptance that Bliss was good at, it was revenge.“He offered me my jobback but only if I introduce him to Georgia.”
Logan paused as though thinking about it.“I’m sure shewouldn’t mind him coming over for a couple of drinks.”
“Fuck that.”See, Logan had spent too much time in the city.He was getting soft.“I’m not letting that lowlife in the same room as myfriends.That’s not what I’m calling about.I’m going to need you to tell Seththat in six months he needs to purchase House of Bianchi outright and burn itto the ground and explain to every other design house that the same will happento them if they hire Mark Hallway.I need time because I don’t want him turningaround and pressing charges against Bay.He’s got a show soon, and I don’t wantthis hanging over his head.”
Getting him into a suit would be hard enough.
Damn it.She’d been a bitch to him.He might have alreadywritten her off.She’d let her emotions get the better of her, and it mighthonestly be for the best.What could she offer them?
“Do I want to know what he said about my wife?”Each wordout of Logan’s mouth was coated in ice.“I ask because you would never takethis kind of revenge for yourself, so this is about Georgia.”
“You do not.Just know she should never be let around anyonefrom that company,” Brooke replied.“They’re all snakes.”
“So you’re not going back?”Logan asked.“You want me totalk to Seth?Look, I think you’ll find Georgia would love it if you woulddesign for her and her alone.You know moneybags will open up his wallet.”
“I would love to sit down and talk to Georgia aboutdesigning some clothes for her, but I think I’m going to give costume design areal shot.Cleo is starting to direct some films, and I think it’s a challengeI would like to take on.”Even as she said the words, her heart ached becauseshe knew Bay and Shane likely wouldn’t come with her.
Logan’s voice went low over the line.“And what about theKent brothers?I’ve heard you’re getting married.And yes, I also know afuck-you sibling move when I hear it.Rye push you too hard?”
“He’s been a wildly massive overprotective asshole, but hehas his reasons.”No matter how sad she felt that her brother was ashamed ofher, she wouldn’t throw him under a bus with Logan.“As for Bay and Shane,well, maybe they’ll still be willing to see me when I’m in town.”
“We won’t,” a deep voice said.
From below she could hear Cleo correcting something theactors were doing, but all of her focus was suddenly on the man at the top ofthe stairs.Shane stood there looking stern in his jeans and T-shirt.
Damn, she was about to get her heart ripped out.“Logan, Ineed to call you back.”
“Okay, but you might want to talk to Lucy since she’s beendealing with the guy.She’s going out to the G to help Nell and Henry.They’vegot some kind of lesson with Noah today, but Henry’s worried because she’s beenhaving Braxton-Hicks contractions, and damn I can’t believe that not only do Iknow what those are, I can speak competently about the effects on the mentalhealth of the mother.Who the hell am I?Do you think I can get my comic booksback?”
She loved Logan, loved how far he’d come.“I think you canread all the comics you like.You’re still going to be Dr.Logan Green,therapist to all.I’ll talk to you later.”
She hung up and pulled all her strength around her.She hadto get through the next couple of minutes.She slid the cell into her jeans.“Hello, Shane.I’ll be out of the house before tonight.Tell Bay I’m sorry hefelt like he had to deal with Mark.I’ve made certain Mark is going to drop allcharges, so he should be out in an hour or two.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”Shane asked.
She pointed to the stage.“They’re rehearsing.Keep yourvoice down, please.I won’t cause any trouble.Like I said I’ll be out tonight,this afternoon if I have to, and I’ll arrange with Bobby to get a pickup outthere so I can leave you Stef’s car.”
Shane stared at her, his eyes nearly glowing in the lightcast from the stage.“Just like that?”
What did he expect her to do?“Like I said, I’m not going tocause trouble.”
