Page 18 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

“What’s going on?” he asked, leaning forward with his eyebrows raised.

Nadine sighed, swirling the wine in her glass as she gathered her thoughts. “It’s complicated, Phil. It’s about Cassandra Wynter.”

The name hung in the air between them, heavy with fame. Nadine couldn’t keep the nervous edge out of her voice as she described the two intimate moments they’d shared. “I honestly don’t know if she’s actually attracted to me or if she’s just trying to keep her enemies close. And maybe she thinks if she dominates me sexually, she can dominate me professionally. And I am worried that that is indeed the case. We have a seventeen-year age gap…and it feels like I’m playing with fire.”

Phillip listened intently, nodding along. “Intense, huh? So do you think she has feelings for you, or is it all business?”

“I can’t tell,” Nadine admitted, biting her lip. “We’ve had these incredible moments, but there’s this nagging doubt that maybe she’s more focused on what it means to have someone like me around…a young fashionista who could pose a threat to her legacy.”

Her friend scrutinized her closely. “You need to be cautious, Nadine. Just like in business, relationships can be tricky. But don’t let your fears prevent you from exploring this. If you have real feelings…let it unfold.”

Nadine felt a sense of relief wash over her as Phillip continued. “Also, consider where Cassandra might be coming from. She’s got years of letdowns and trust issues herself, if she’s still single. After all this time, she may be worried that you’re using her just as much as you worry about her using you.”

A silence enveloped them as Nadine processed those words. She took a sip of her wine, letting it cool the heat that had begun to rise in her chest. “So, you think I should give it a shot?”

“I think you should focus on your instincts,” he replied. “If the chemistry is real, let it happen. Just remember to keep your guard up and protect your heart.”

Nadine nodded, a sense of clarity slowly seeping into the turmoil of her thoughts. There was something liberating about voicing her insecurities, and the weight she’d been carrying began to lift.

“Thanks, Phillip,” she said, her voice a bit more steady now. “I always feel like I can breathe a little easier after talking to you.”

“Anytime, darling. Now, let’s order dessert, because those worries can wait until tomorrow. Let’s fatten that ass up for your next steamy moment with Ms. Wynter. You know, I’m not really the best at relationships. I’m addicted to the single life. It’s calculated chaos!” He gave Nadine a sheepish look.

“I see that not everyone takes their own advice.”

He chuckled. “You have no idea.”

“Tell me!” She knew he was leaving out his own adventures, as they were always wild romantic comedies.

“Ugh, Nadine, you won’t believe what happened!” Phillip said, rolling his eyes dramatically. He leaned closer, his voice dropping as if he was sharing top secret information.

“What happened?” Nadine asked, her curiosity piqued. Phillip was always full of wild stories, but he seemed more agitated than usual.

“I went on a trip to Mexico with this older guy. He’s really rich—like, real estate rich,” Phillip began, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

Nadine raised an eyebrow, trying to process the information. She’d always known Phillip dated men who were eclectic, but genuinely respectful to him and his sloppy finances. “Was this spontaneous or a planned trip?” she asked.

Phillip scoffed, shaking his head. “More like a weird experience! He acted like he owned the place. This guy was so entitled. It was embarrassing. He was so proud of his wealth, as if that automatically made him better than everyone else.”

Nadine nodded, feeling her concern grow. “That sounds awful. What did he do?”

“First off, when we got to the resort, he kept showing off. All the other guests were staring at us, and I felt like a trophy he wanted to flaunt,” Phillip explained. “There were these men at the pool—so many of them. They were hooting and hollering, making comments like I was just some object they could own. I guess I just couldn’t tell if they were like, making fun of me, or really into me.”

Nadine frowned. She felt a pang of empathy for her friend. She couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable that must have felt. “That’s degrading,” she said softly.

“It was!” Phillip continued, rolling his eyes. “And then, later that night, he wanted me to do a provocative photo shoot. Like, with the weirdest clothes. You would not approve.” His expression changed, as if he was also recounting some momentsfondly. “But it was at a gorgeous spot with beautiful lighting. The view was to die for.”

Nadine couldn’t help but giggle. “It sounds like a mixed bag. The scenery was nice, but the way he treated you? Not okay at all.”

Phillip waved a hand, brushing off her concern. “Yeah, but it was kind of worth it. I mean, the resort was five stars, and the food was amazing!” He leaned back, glancing up as if recalling the taste of gourmet meals.

She stared at him, her mind racing. “But you should be treated with respect, Phillip. That’s more important than fancy food or a swanky hotel.”

He smiled knowingly, as if he’d heard her concern many times before. “I get that, Nadine. But come on, it’s not every day you get to experience this kind of luxury. Also, I may or may not be tempted to consider going to Bora Bora with him next,” he said, winking.

Nadine shook her head with a mix of disbelief and affection. “You? Bora Bora? What’s next—a month-long trip on a yacht?”

Phillip laughed, and for a moment, the weight of their conversation lifted. “Hey, you never know! Maybe just a weekend getaway, nothing too crazy.”

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