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“You know how busy a time that is, Max. We’ll see.”
“Ah, come on. No time for a good friend?”
“Sure, why not. We’ll have lunch or a drink in Manhattan when I’m there.”
London ended the call and literally twirled around the room. She was one of the lucky few to have the best of all worlds: an enviable career, amazing boyfriend and a cordial relationship with the ex who just happened to be a Hollywood A-lister. Maybe she’d make her film debut after all.
No matter the story line, it couldn’t rival the fairy tale with Ace that she was living right now. Not a chance.
CHAPTER 28
What started out as a simple fashion show for charity had grown to a Paradise Cove event not to be missed. Once word got out that London was involved and that the fashions were by OTB Her, ticket sales went through the roof. The venue had changed several times, as had the date. Originally slated for July, it had been moved to December and given a theme: Her for the Holidays.
The summer passed in a blur. London all but moved in with Ace in San Francisco, spending the entire month of August there as they finished the spring line. Now it was September, the month of the four major spring fashion shows. After spending so much time in California, London looked forward to the trip to New York. She and Ace had rented an apartment for the two weeks they’d be there, something she equally looked forward to, since besides fittings, PR appearances and a meeting or two, she’d hardly seen her man.
It was just after noon when the private plane touched down in Manhattan. Fall was very much in the air. A driver whisked them away to Bryant Park and their rented apartment. Ace had to go to work. London had the day off.
“What are you going to do in this big city all by yourself?”
“I thought Jules and I might go shopping.”
Jules was the assistant who’d replaced Carly, now living in Los Angeles. Relocated, she said, to pursue an acting career.
“Just remember to be careful, okay?”
“I will. Oh, and I might meet Max for a drink. Please—” she hurried on over Ace’s objection “—don’t be mad. I put him off all summer and promised to meet him.”
“I don’t like it, London. More specifically, I don’t like him. I don’t trust him.”
London leaned into Ace’s hard chest and slid her arms around his neck. “Trust me,” she said huskily, kissing his lips. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“You’re not what worries me.”
“You still think he’s behind that kidnapping, don’t you? Why, Ace? The police have never been able to prove who did that or why, and Max is not that kind of guy, I’m telling you.”
“You don’t think it’s strange that after Milan, when you briefly got back with him in Paris, the flowers stopped? The packages stopped. Everything stopped until a month or so after you told him it was over for good. And then came the flowers at OTB. And the diamond necklace delivered to your family’s condo.”
“Are you forgetting what my dad found out? That my stalker was released early for good behavior and was out and back home in Europe when I was in Paris? That’s who I think is behind all of this. And if the detective my dad hired can ever find the guy, I think my theory will be proven correct.”
“If you say so.” Ace looked at his watch. “Okay, baby. This is the fifth text Frida has sent me. I’ve got to get over to the space. Don’t forget we’ve got dinner reservations tonight with the editors from Vogue.”
“I won’t forget, babe. See you then.”
Ace left. London called Jules. “Hello, Jules. Where are you?”
“In Times Square. Do you need me?”
“Not officially. Thinking about going shopping and want to know if you want to come with.”
“I’m here with a couple New Yorker friends of mine. I can come if you want, though.”
He said it, but London knew Jules didn’t want to leave his friends. She heard it in his voice.
“No problem. Starting tomorrow you’ll be joined to my hip, so go ahead and hang out with your friends.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Have fun.”
