AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She smiled at my concern before answering. “Should I be asking you that question? You ran in here so fast I thought for sure you were going to fall on your ass in those heels.”
Ally gestured to my classic black heels that had gold studs on the toe. The shoes had four-inch heels and were a favorite of mine because they were one of the first pairs I designed and sold. Running away on them as quickly as I had was easy for me—I lived in heels.
“Are you kidding me? These shoes wouldn’t let me fall.” Ally beamed at me, and I continued. “If you’re asking if I’m okay since Terry’s declaration about finding something to sleep with on upcoming shoots—which I may have to be present at—then yes, I’m just peachy.”
“I’m sure he—”
“I don’t know why it shocks me. Yes, I knew he was around LA from time to time, and not once did I try to speak to him. I decided to just live in denial. I heard the rumors and the whispers. Some women even told me what he was like in bed, for crying out loud!” I paced as I talked. “Those women had no idea who they were talking to. Terry hadn’t hit it big when we were together, and I hadn’t established this company. No one knew about us. Those women did nothing wrong. Neither did Julia, except introduce me to a side of Terry that I didn’t know existed.”
“That couldn’t have been easy. But you haven’t exactly been a saint either. I’m not sure that he knows about Bryce. He may have seen the two of you together at events. He may not know what the extent of your relationship with him is, but it’s not as G-rated as you made it seem at those events.”
“Fair enough, but Bryce looked like a friend, not a fuck buddy.”
“Yes, but we both know he’s more fuck buddy than friend,” Ally challenged.
“I’m an adult!” I cried, throwing my hands up in frustration.
“So is he, Mia. You may not like how he chose to fix himself, but you don’t get to have an opinion about it. He did what he thought was best for him at the time.”
“Why did he need fixing?” I yelled, exasperated by her statement. “He’s the one who left me.”
“He thought he was doing you a favor. There were bigger things at play here than you know about, Mia. You two just need to sit down and talk it out. Let him show you his and you show him yours.” Ally gave me a wry smile as she finished. I immediately picked up on her double innuendo.
“God, you two have been around each other too long if that little comment makes you smile like that.” I shook my head, trying not to be amused but failing.
“Right or wrong, you don’t get a say in it and you don’t get to be mad.”
“I know I don’t get to be, but I am.”
“Then maybe you should ask yourself why that is.” Ally gave me a pointed look. She was right and I hated that, but still, I resisted.
“Nope, not going to happen. I’d rather chew broken glass.”
“Well, while you enjoy that light snack, he’s out in reception waiting to speak with you.” I could tell she was enjoying the easiness that had settled into our banter. It hadn’t been there since Terry showed up and blew Ally’s cover.
“Ask him if I can call him tonight,” I told her. Ally raised an eyebrow at me. I knew she was thinking that I should just do it myself, but I couldn’t face him right now. “Just do it.”
“Yes, of course. Whatever you want,” Ally said as she turned to leave the office.
“Oh, and Ally?” I called after her. “You’re off the hook for what you did for Terry. I may not like it, but I get it. And I’m sorry for lashing out.”
“It’s okay. I know why you did.”
We smiled and nodded at one another before Ally turned and exited the office.
I moved closer to the door so that I could hear Ally and Terry’s conversation. A part of me was surprised that he was still waiting out there and hadn’t barged in on us.
“Mia says she’ll call you tonight, if that’s all right with you,” Ally told him.
“Are we going to have one of our in-the-dark conversations?” Terry asked her in return. “Or are we actually going to discuss the issues?”
Oh, Terry, we are still going to be in the dark for this conversation. I waited for her reply.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what kind of relationship you two have, nor do I know what the in-the-dark conversations are.” There was an edge to Ally’s voice. She must have been losing her patience with both of us and not enjoying being the middleman.
“Fine. I’ll be waiting,” Terry said. There was silence for a brief moment before Ally was back at my door. Terry must have left.
“Did you get all of that?” Ally called in the direction of my office.
