Page 139 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
His eyes stay on me for a few more seconds, then he grunts and goes back to his paperwork. I start checking the final list of organizations Elizabeth wants to partner with this year to deliver holiday meals and presents. Then I hit the phone.
Just as I finish the final call, Audrey Duff walks in, her narrowed eyes on me. Her bleached hair is curled and swept to one side, tumbling over a shoulder. A skintight dress in the same shade of red as her lips is molded to her slim body, and she strides across the vestibule in stilettos with needle-thin heels.
Crap.Is she here for an encore? I quickly check my desk. Nothing she can throw in my face. And she isn’t holding a Starbucks cup, so I’m probably safe.
She stops in front of me.
“Elizabeth isn’t available today,” I say with a fake smile.
“I’m not here to see her. I’m here to see you,” Audrey says, in a voice so creamy and dulcet that it feels like melted butter in my ear.
I suppress a shudder. “I don’t believe we have an appointment.”
“I don’t believe I need an appointment to see an assistant.”
Condescending much? Would it kill her to be nice, since she obviously wants something from me? “Is there something you want to discuss?”
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior on Friday if it, you know, upset you. That wasn’t my intention.”
“If it upset me? Wasn’t that exactly what you wanted when you threw the wine in my face?”
“Honestly? No. I was doing it to upset Tony.”
Can she hear herself? Must be the acting experience to spew non-logic with a straight face. “Then you should’ve thrown it in his face.”
“But as you saw, I didn’t. So I’m apologizing,” she says like she’s talking to an imbecile.
“You don’t even know why you’re sorry, do you?”
“Just accept the gesture. I’m not going to grovel.”
Wow. What the hell kind of an apology is that? I cross my arms. “I wasn’t expecting an apology, so I’m not sure what you’re trying to do here.”
“All you have to do is sign this.” She slaps a sheet of paper on my desk.
Since I’m not dumb enough to put my name on something without reading it first, I lean forward and skim it. It basically states Audrey apologized and I am satisfied and bear her no ill will whatsoever. In addition, I want nothing but the best for her.
I look up. “Why would I do that?”
She sighs impatiently. “Does it matter?”
“Are you afraid I’m going to sue?”
Blinking, she pulls back, then titters. “Oh my God, no, I’d never.” She fans her face with a hand. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard! No, it’s for Ryder, sweetie. Ryder Reed. He got upset about the whole restaurant thing and won’t make the movie with me. I need this. It’s going to be my breakout. So this will show Ryder we’re all good now.”
Even a month ago, I might’ve signed it, not wanting to ruin a woman’s dream. But not now.
“No.”
“What?”
“Your apology was half-assed, and grudgingly given. I couldn’t care less what happens to your career.”
“What?”
I wince. Is she trying to make me deaf now? “You heard me.”
“You mousy little bitch! You think you won?” She reaches across the desk, trying to grab my wrist.
