Page 10 of Triggered By Love
“I can get concessions,” Alida said with a smile. “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. The fashion world doesn’t wait for anyone, and if you have a bold idea, you strike first.”
“The employee you spoke to is Ivanna Chu, correct?”
“You already know.” Alida turned to her computer. “Let me update Matt’s side of the contract and print it out. He might want informal concessions for gluing material to his flawless skin.”
Of course, nothing is free, and knowing the kind of man Matt Swanson is, he’s likely to demand sexual favors.
Avery was used to that kind of bargain, but she had limits to what she’d do. Dates, yes. Kisses, maybe, and public appearances, but nothing behind closed doors.
“As long as I get to dictate the limits, I’m fine with it.”
She got up from the low-slung chair and walked to the window. Up so high in the atmosphere of Manhattan, it felt like the world was at her feet. Fortunes were made and lost within a New York minute up and down canyons of glass-walled buildings.
Alida was right. She could no longer hide behind her personal tragedy. A year out of the party scene, away from the fashion press, especially for a new designer would be fatal. Her label needed a face behind it, and she was it. She couldn’t let tragedy derail her lifeline goal. Besides, the freedom to create eclectic designs and get invited to the major fashion shows required a level of celebrity and knowing the right people—especially in today’s social media marinated world.
Decision made, she whirled around and remained standing, looking down over Alida’s desk while the printer churned out updated contracts.
“If Matt Swanson’s doing this for free and you can guarantee I won’t suffer any blowback, then I’ll sign. However, I’m canceling him at the first sign of indiscretion. He needs to behave. No grabbing, no touching, not even a sniff of controversy. The boy better be on his best behavior.”
“That won’t be a problem.” Alida’s chin tilted up, and she winked. “He’ll be your boyfriend and your responsibility.”
“What? Wait!” Avery’s jaw dropped. “You’re not serious.”
“Actually, those are the terms,” Matt said, coming through the door without nary a knock. “You go on a few high-profile dates with me, let the press and gossip rags write it up, and I’ll endorse your Cocky Heroes line.”
“My personal life isn’t for sale,” Avery said. She picked up her copy of the contract and shook it at him.
“You’re not dating anyone, are you?” Alida checked. “I didn’t think so, and it doesn’t have to be for real unless you two decide to take it to the next level. The way I see it, Avery, you need to make a splash on the social circuit. Matt needs to be seen as a steady, loyal kind of guy. It’s a win-win.”
Matt raised his hand in a swearing on the Bible motion. “I will take my cues from you, Avery. Our dates are in your control. I’m sure Alida filled you in. I swear, I will look but not touch.”
“How many dates?” Avery asked, turning the pages of the contract.
“I wouldn’t hold you to an exact number,” Alida said. “It’s for publicity and buzz. You two play it by ear. Who knows, maybe you’ll hit it off.”
“You’re in control.” Matt spread his hands and gave her an engaging smile designed to lower her guard.
If they thought she was afraid, they needn’t worry. While she wasn’t ready for another relationship, no one was asking her for an emotional commitment. She could do this.
“Sure, a few parties. I can fake it.” She tipped her head as confidently as she could and placed her hand in his. “Let’s get your measurements and start an advertising campaign.”
Matt gave her hand a tight squeeze. “You won’t regret this.”
Chapter Five
Jason didn’t truly havean off day, not where Avery was concerned. But come Saturday, he did have a day off duty where he should do normal things like laundry and groceries. He’d already gone to the gun range where Avery had her firearms lesson. This time, he stayed out of sight, waiting for her while cleaning his gun and chatting with the gun range owner, who was polishing the sign above the counter that read,Making good people helpless won’t make bad people harmless.
Jason knew Avery’s schedule down to clockwork. She rented space inside the studio and workshop of an established designer, and she worked long, but regular hours on the weekdays. She shopped for materials in the wholesale areas of the garment district, used the same freelance models as her associates, and attended as many trade shows as she could.
She worked some weekends, but her spare time was devoted to exercise, skills-building, and spending time with family, which included Brando’s widowed mother. Her desirable apartment was in the Melbourne Building, an upscale complex on the west side of Central Park.
The proximity to Central Park meant she regularly ran through the park for exercise. Thankfully, her guardian twin brother, Damon, ran with her most evenings, but on the weekends, he partied too much or stayed up late working at his video game and online entertainment company, leaving Avery to stroll through the park on her own.
Sure enough, after Avery finished with the gun range, she stopped at a neighborhood market to buy groceries and then headed upstairs to her apartment. Jason was already dressed as a jogger and ready to follow her through her workout routine.
A group of men hung out on the corner, smoking and bouncing a basketball between them. They didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go into the park, so Jason jogged by and tried not to stare.
On his way to Avery’s doorway, he was hit in the back by the basketball. He missed a step, tripped on the curb, but caught his balance and managed not to fall on his face. The rough laughter of the men grated in his guts. That had to have been on purpose.
