Page 49 of Ride

“Stop worrying, I only got your arm. I don't share, Pepper.” He captured my lips, pulled back, and did something else with his phone and turned it off.

“What did you post?’

“Nothing. Slide backwards for me.”

“I’m going to regret this tomorrow.” I shook my head and spread my legs wide, getting comfortable on my back.

Chapter Eleven

Amena

The buzzing of my phone never stopped—not since the day Laikin posted us online with my hand on his naked chest. Something stirred up because they wouldn’t let me be in peace, and it made me wonder if people really did not have a life other than making comments about other people's relationships. A few times when Winter and I went out, or I had Kayne with me, photographers swarmed us, running up to us and wanting to know if my son was really Laikin’s. At first, I was pissed when they tried to spin it like I kept my child away from his birth father and was only looking for money. Then Sarai helped clean things up and had Laikin do a few interviews to shut the naysayers down. Virgil was the worst husband, but I would never deny Kayne was his son.

Today I had my client coming to do a fitting after a few weeks of delays. She’d been in and out of the state on business and other filming projects. The upcoming awards season was nearing so she had to be on point. My name would be heard throughout and would hopefully spark some more clients on my roster.

I shuffled a few pieces around on the rack and sauntered to the door, letting her inside.

“Hi, Marlowe. Was it hard to find my office”

“Not really. It’s close to downtown LA. Being high up makes it even better.” Marlowe removed her shades and opened her arms wide for a hug.

I moved to the side, motioning for her to come inside and take a seat. I already brought the rack of clothes to the middle of the room and lined up the ideas for pieces with the schedule of events on my iPad.

“These look amazing!” Marlowe expressed as her left hand fanned through the rack of designer outfits.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. I had been wondering whether she would like what I had set out for her. “I have a few pieces for daytime and if you plan on going out at night.”

“For those days, I will probably have a few dinner parties. My agent planned a celebration dinner if I win, but we should never get our hopes up,” Marlowe joked.

Marlowe had become the biggest actress in the industry. A few people had named her the next Regina King. She’d taken on many diverse projects, from drama and action to comedy. Her latest TV miniseries on Starz had a lot of industry folks saying she would win an Emmy.

“Win or lose, a dinner sounds good.”

“I didn’t get a chance to ask if you can come with me—in case of a mishap.”

I threaded a hand through my hair, thought about going on a press tour with her, but already knew that with Kayne’s schedule and Laikin being busy we barely had time. Plus, I wouldn't want to put any distance between us when we just got back together.

“The offer sounds amazing, but being a single parent leaves me with little time.”

“Oh, yeah. How old is he again?”

“He’s three going on forty,” I laughed.

Marlowe cackled at my response. I took a skirt and blouse off the rack and held them up for her to try on in the dressing room.

A knock at my door got our attention. “Oh, that’s my friend. I invited her over. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No problem. Go ahead and try those on for me. I want to make sure the measurements work.” Without checking the peephole, I twisted the doorknob… and found an unexpected guest.

“Well, I hope your taste is better than what you wore to the gala.” Callie barged through, eyeing me with a calculated expression.

“What are you doing here?”

Callie planted her hands on her hips. “Marlowe is like a sister to me, and she asked for my opinion.” While Callie crossed her arms over her chest, Marlowe emerged from the dressing room with a wide smile. It faded as she stared from Callie to me.

Marlowe inquired, “Is something wrong?”

“Ugh, no. What do you think of the pants and shirt?” I tugged on a silk blouse, which hung off the shoulder. I hated to lose her as a client because of her friend hating me over a man. Marlowe turned left to right in front of the wall mirror, from behind me I heard a snarky tone. “What Callie? Think it’s too much?”

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