Page 91 of The Bad Girl
My attention draws to the television where beautiful women with long legs walk down sunny streets without a care in the world.
“You know, this is all just advertisements for these salons these women are going to. I bet the owners pay photogs to stand outside to capture their A-list clientele.”
“I’d put money on it.”
The screen cuts away, and now there’s a black limo parked next to a red carpet. A suited man opens the door, and Maxwell Stryder climbs out.
I turn to Harry. “Oh my God, it’s Max!”
Harry gives me a reticent smile.
Maxwell offers his hand to the person waiting inside the limousine, and a dark-black hand with blue pastel nail polish takes it.
My mouth gapes open in surprise. “Is that—”
“Akinyi Adebayo,” Harry says quietly.
My head snaps to Harry. “You knew about this?”
“I am his assistant, and since you’ve been canned, I’ve had to step up and make dinner reservations, like a common pauper.”
I watch Akinyi as she snakes her arm through Maxwell’s and glides down the red carpet to the entrance of Deco 6.
My stomach twists in knots. Maxwell was never an option for me, and our coupling was one part situational, one part educational, and wholly stupid, but still, I can’t help but feel like my heart is getting ripped from my chest.
I swallow, clearing my throat. “She’s beautiful.”
“She is.”
“When did this…happen.”
“Recently. They’ve known each other for a while. She flew in a few days ago.”
“And you wanted me to see this. It’s why you came over.”
Harry looks away guiltily.
“Why?”
“Oh, just bragging and letting you know I’m doing a fabulous job at handling his affairs.”
“No, that’s not it. Why are you showing me this?” I gesture towards the television.
Silence is Harry’s only response.
“You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?”
“That I fucked Maxwell on the boat.”
Harry gasps, his hand flying to my chest, his jaw becoming unhinged. “You did what?”
“Don’t give me that fake surprised bullshit. Maxwell told you, didn’t he?”
“Yes…”
“And you just wanted to shove this in my face or something.”
