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“Yes. Good to hear. That means I can eat something. Please. You’re a Godsend. Thanks Cassandra.” She types something on her computer then looks over at me. “
I glance at the magazine cover and shake my head. Seeing the picture with him surrounded by women bothers me. It shouldn’t because he isn’t mine. He isn’t anything to me.
Yes, he is.
That time has passed. The ship has sailed.
I’m finding I need to continuously repeat those words. If not, I hope for other things. Things that aren’t an option because I set fire to our relationship.
Finally!
Yep, I’m taking ownership of my part in the way our lives turned out.
“Daire Deville, ‘the panty melter’. They reference that name with every story they write about him.”
I look at the magazine then back up at her.
“Right. The ladies love him. He loves them right back. I don’t see how you do it.”
Hope stops what she’s doing then turns to face me.
“You’re right. He does love his fans. All of them. He’s more than willing to put aside whatever he’s doing to make sure they know how much he appreciates them.” She stands then shifts some papers then suddenly looks over at me again. “Wait ... what did you mean? How do I do what?”
“Be the woman in his life when all these other women are fawning over him or throwing themselves at him.”
Hope gives me an incredulous look before doubling over laughing. I giggle as well for a moment. Until it hits me that I don’t know why we’re laughing. This causes her to laugh even harder.
“You believe Jaxson and I are ... a couple?” She’s in hysterics all over again and I’m growing increasingly pissed off by the nanosecond. “I’m not even going to apologize. I can’t because I needed that laugh. That was priceless. You didn’t know. I thought everyone who is close to Jaxson knew this about him.”
“Knew what?” The words are spoken between clenched teeth. This is what Journee or even Noelle feels like when people take forever to get to the point. “What is it that I don’t know?”
“Jaxson hasn’t ‘dated’ anyone in quite some time. All those females who throw themselves at him are stopped at the gates or doors.”
Now, I’m even more confused because I was just staring at her wedding ring and band. I noticed it was similar to the one Daire wears on his hand. Well, Journee helped me notice they were similar. I lift my left hand then tap my ring finger with my thumb.
“Okay. Clarification needed. What about your wedding bands?”
She looks down at her hand as if she forgot all about the heart shaped diamond and ruby encrusted ring shimmering in the rays of sunlight that bounce right off it. I guess having that stunner resting on your hand perfectly securing your relationship status wouldn’t cause me to worry either.
Jealous much?
I refuse to acknowledge those words.
“Oh. Right?” Hope drops into a large, red chair that sits in the corner of her office. It’s the perfect reading nook with the bookshelf on one side and a little table beneath the one-panel window. “I’m so used to having this on that I don’t realize it’s there most of the time. My husband ... my late husband picked this out for me. It represents ... represented us perfectly. I should probably stop wearing this.”
The last of her explanation is mumbled. Her words are practically whispered as she begins to play with it. She dabs at her eyes with a tissue I didn’t see her grab before placing a kiss on the ring.
Knife to the gut. I’m literally gutted watching her. I’m fighting my own damn tears and I didn’t even know the man.
“Okay. Now I feel like the biggest dope. I’m ... I didn’t mean to make you cry, Hope.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting that ... question. The rings. This one is mine. My husband’s is here.” She points to her thumb. She spins the piece around before she looks back at me. “Um, the one Daire wears is fake. I mean, it’s a real ring with diamonds and whatever other gemstone but it isn’t linked to anyone. It's his way of keeping people at bay. He simply lifts his hand, and most people will back off.”
“Oh wow. Okay. W ... why would ...?”
I try to get the question out, but I’m cut off. Hope looks at her watch then up at the large clock in the center of the wall. I can’t help but look at the ornamental art piece that keeps Hope on schedule. It’s beautiful. At first glance, it looks as if there are clear jewels that swoop up as well as down. From the jewels, there are peacock colored leaves following the pattern. If a person were to move closer, they could see the entire clock is made from metal and stones.
“That’s a Jaxson addition. He said it felt like the right piece for me and this office. He was right. I mean, of course, he was right. He has an eye for these things. He’s the reason this office is designed the way it is. All the décor is designed around that piece. I wish we could talk longer but I need to eat something then several interviews before I must get ready. If you want, we can talk after?”
