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I laugh and it feels good. Cash may have broken my heart, but he didn’t break me. I’m still standing and laughing. “You are ridiculous,” I tease.
“But you love me,” she says with a smile, and I nod, because I really do.
Lunch is scheduled at a spot where the press is sure to spot Cat James meeting with Grace Kensington.
I’m still not used to being Googleable. Nor is it something that excites me. I’m sure it has the potential to be good for business, but at thirty-six, I’m too old for this.
I’ve become a meme, an almost divorcée, and a gossip rag queen.
Who would have thought? Certainly proven my mother right. She must be so proud.
Cat walks in as if she’s strutting the runway. Unlike me, she has no qualms being the center of the tabloids. Her long dark hair sways with her every step, and her curves are the envy of every woman in the restaurant and hold the attention of every man.
But she’s above it all. As if she’s used to people staring. I guess that’s what happens when you’re the only female heir to the James fortune. It’s no wonder we never got along.
We arenothingalike.
When she spots Tessa and me seated at a table, her lips turn up in a sly grin. “You couldn’t handle me on your own, Grace?”
She remains standing as she looks down at me, perhaps believing that she’ll intimidate me.
Unfazed, I shrug. “I just don’t reallylikeyou, Cat. I figure if I have to share a meal with you, might as well have my best friend along for the free lunch.”
Tessa looks back and forth as if she’s embarrassed to be seen with either one of us. “Down girls, down.”
Cat looks the other way before sitting. “Well, at least you’re not being fake.Anymore.”
I let out a stilted laugh. This woman has got to be kidding me. “Seriously, you are the one who needs help finding a man.”
Cat purses her red lips, and the golden bangles that adorn her wrists jangle as she practically vibrates in anger. “Do you really thinkIneed help finding someone to spend time with me?”
I remain aloof. “Why else would Jonathan be begging me to take you on as a client?”
Her laughter echoes across the table before she stills and launches her attack again. “To helpyou.Believe me, I’m not doing this of my own free will. I’m doing this because I had to cover up your bullshit lies that almost destroyed my family and did destroy Cash. Do you know how much you hurt him? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
My cheeks flame at her insinuations.
Also, screw Cash. I couldn’t care less how he’s feeling right about now.
Tessa puts her hand over mine under the table and squeezes. Then she pulls back her shoulders and launches at Cat. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
As if irritated by our mere presence, Cat scoffs, “I don’t expect you to back me up, Tessa. She’s your friend, I get it. But even you have to admit that what she did was pretty shitty.”
I can’t help myself but laugh again as I look away and fold my arms. A waiter appears to pour us waters and take our drink order. “I’ll have a dirty martini,” I say without hesitating. It’s either going to taste delicious going down my throat or look fabulous dripping down Cat’s face. Jury’s still out which way we’re going.
When they both order the same, I bite back a small smile. At least Cat knows a good drink.
“As I was saying,” Tessa begins again, “you have it all wrong.”
Cat stares at her with a raised eyebrow and a standoffish gaze.
Tessa breathes out a long breath. “It was me. I’m the one to blame. Vanessa was upset at the party because she found out about Grace and Cash. She thought they were playing her the whole time.”
“Well,shewas,” Cat says, motioning to me. “My brother would never do that though.”
I let out an exaggerated “ha!” Her brother would have slept with me the night of his first date with Vanessa. Hell, he didn’t want to go out with her to begin with. But sure, let’s blame me.
Tessa’s eyes pinch together. “You and I both know that your brother was head over heels for Grace and that Grace continued to push him away. Let’s not rewrite history.”
