AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That was an easy decision. Not just because I could tell you have something to share with the world as soon as I saw your Instagram, but because of what happened with your brother and the girl he dated.”
“Married. He married her.”
“Yeah. But if he’d had a manager, they wouldn’t have gone through half the problems they did.”
“So you took me on to… protect me?”
Yasmin raised one eyebrow. “Has it worked?”
Megan thought back over the last two weeks. Ever since the fundraiser, she’d felt out of control. But the plan from Yasmin’s office had not included having Alessandro stay overnight. When she’d deviated from that plan, things had gone sideways.
She couldn’t blame Yasmin for her fight with Cat. And she sure the hell wasn’t going to feel guilty for taking Alessandro to her bed. Even the words in her head made her thighs clench a bit. So, she’d had to take the consequences of her actions. And when Alessandro had gotten nominated and brought Megan along, hadn’t Yasmin pivoted with style and laid out a plan that got both of them to LA and into a house filled with food and soft beds and safety?
Did Yasmin see Megan’s shoulders lower? Megan could certainly feel the tension leave her body. “Okay,” she said. “So, let me start again with a thank-you. I appreciate that you’ve tried to mitigate the problems my brother and sister-in-law went through. That was very thoughtful of you.”
“You’re welcome,” Yasmin smiled. “Don’t paint me out to be too selfless, though. I wouldn’t have taken you on if I didn’t think you have a career here. A career I will earn money from.”
“Understood.” Megan still didn’t see how she was going to make any money for the woman. “But no one’s going to listen to me when I just arrived in town and I’m here to look pretty next to your A-list actor.”
Yasmin wagged a finger at her. “You and I both know that’s not what you see yourself as.”
“I’m trying to be realistic. Isn’t that what you want?”
“I want a power couple. That’s howIsee you two. How do you feel about that?”
Megan sat back in surprise. Before she could formulate an answer, Yasmin went on. “If you make it, of course. But yeah. I can see you two producing movies, launching clothing lines.”
Megan couldn’t speak. What kind of future was this?
“Helping more than one small community center in Boston,” Yasmin added. “What charities are you involved with?”
“I…” Kane’s was the only one that came to mind. And that was his. Like she’d taken on his company, his apartment, his goddamn car. “I’m figuring that out,” she hedged.
“Well, do that. Doesn’t matter which coast. Just make it relevant.” Yasmin’s finger was still pointing at her. “Clothes. Fashion. Self-esteem. That’s what I see for you.”
“Most advocates will tell you fashion and self-esteem don’t go together.”
“So change their minds.”
♦
Alessandro met Megan at the Greenerie, a hot new restaurant that allowed them to be photographed but not to be overheard, after her appointment with Yasmin. He could tell by the way she floated in that it had gone well.
He stood and kissed her cheek before the maître d’ pulled her chair out for her. She looked ravishing, as always, now in a fluttery-sleeved peach and blue summer dress that made her look tan when she obviously couldn’t be. He looked forward to all the weeks ahead, when he’d get to see her in summer clothes rather than the thick coats and heavy tweeds of Boston. Her hair was half up, showing a pair of mother-of-pearl chandelier earrings and the sweep of her jawline that he had to struggle to keep from kissing.
“Yasmin told you that you were right and she was wrong,” he stated after the waiter had taken her drink order.
“Not exactly.” She smiled. “We realized that we were both right and we had both been wrong.” She took a sip of water. “You still have time to go shopping with me this afternoon?”
“It is all I wish to do,” he replied. “She will stop sending you clothes?”
“Yes. And I will stop thinking she is an unfeeling machine.”
“That is good.” Between Yasmin and Megan, he’d back Megan any day, but he did like and admire Yasmin and would have hated to lose her.
Outside the restaurant, after a lunch spent making plans and dreaming dreams, a camera was pushed in front of them. Alessandro felt Megan pose next to him—very casual, very natural, just a step back and a slight turn to the side, with her hand flat on his arm—and he felt a surge of pride at how well she knew the business already.
“Megan,” the voice behind the camera said. “How are you enjoying LA?”
