Page 8 of Nothing to the Wedding
THREE
ROXIE MADE HER excuses when Alice and Carolyn invited her to join them for shopping and lunch.She couldn’t accept their promise to make a day of it because she had a prior engagement.
The Platinum Suite’s butler—who they wouldn’t normally have around when Zairn was in charge—brought her guest inside.
“Ms.Kyst,” the butler said, stepping aside to gesture at the other man.“Reeve Crosby.”
Pasting on a smile, she opened her arms.“We don’t need to be introduced.”The butler was already departing.“We’re old friends, Reeve, right?”
“Always happy to get your call, Roxie.”
Funny, given it had only happened once.
“Shame I can’t say the same.”Her smile stayed in place and her tone amicable.She didn’t give his twitch of confusion time to fully manifest and just sailed on.“Please come sit down.”
This was nice.Polite.Friendly.She could be personable when required.The press didn’t always get that side of her.She wasn’t openly hostile… often.Zairn called it a “symbiotic relationship.”Yeah, the media had done them favors, and it was easier now she had a hold of steering.Being a passenger was much less fun.Her guy wasn’t wrong though.She should listen to him more often.What was she thinking?There was no one she trusted more.But that ego of his had to be kept in check, couldn’t let him get any big ideas…
She and Reeve sat at opposite ends of the same couch, and she poured coffee from the pot on the table.Gracious.Placid.Completely non-threatening.No claws needed.Not yet anyway.
“Heard Zachary Kintyre had his kid,” Reeve said.“Got any pictures?”
“Oh, yeah, hang on while I send you a dozen.”
She paused and tipped her chin his way, showing a smile that countered his.They both knew there were pictures, and they both knew she wouldn’t share them.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Couldn’t she?She finished pouring and handed him a cup.
“His wife had more to do with producing the kid than he did.”
“She’s great.Lilya’s great.”
“Yes, she is.”She settled back.Enough small talk, this was no dilettante’s luncheon.“We have business.”
“Yes, we do.”He produced a tablet from his messenger bag.“I haven’t had a lot of time with this.I didn’t know you were going to call—though I love that you did.You can.Any time.I almost brought Beverley with me but—”
“Beverley Woo?”
The producer.Interesting.
“She’s the best way to get to Karryn Keller.”Super famous top-tier TV interviewer.“You want the best.You deserve the best.”
Oh, did she?Nice of him to notice.Though the opinion may change when he wasn’t buttering her up.
“I think there’s been a misinterpretation.”
“What do you mean?”he asked, unlocking his tablet.
Before he could get as far as opening any app, she slid closer to push the device down.“I didn’t invite you here to ask questions, I invited you here to answer them.”
And his brow lowered.“Answer them?”
“Anjelica.”
“I don’t know her.”He was quick to shake his head though had an air of reveling in the reversal of roles.Her Casanova wasn’t the only one with an ego.“I could try to…”
“I’m not interested in you trying anything.”
