Page 75 of Catch Me
What I don’t tell them is that I don’t plan on attending alone this time. There’s still about six weeks between now and my intended trip back home. In that time, I’ll wrap up filmingLate Nightsand a number of other work obligations.
If all goes according to my plan, I’ll get to have at least one week back home. During which, I plan to show Ivy where I come from.
The honking horn behind me reminds me that I’m still in traffic. I pull through the green light, spotting the restaurant that I’m going to on the right.
Instead of the front, I turn down a side street to avoid the vulturous photographers who hang out in front of Lagoonsto get pictures of the celebrities who come in and out.
Which is the main reason why I despise this restaurant. The food isn’t that great, but it stays open because it’s known as the place to go to spot celebrities.
I turn into a back, secret parking lot that connects to the underground parking lot. There’s a valet to meet me here.
“Right this way, Mr. Knight,” the young hostess greets me as I enter the main dining area.
I barely take in the marble flooring and gold accents as we pass through the dining area filled with A, B, C, and even D list Hollywood stars and social media influencers with their managers, PR people, and attorneys.
Though I send a few nods to the people I know, I remain steadfast in my aim to get this meeting over as soon as possible.
“Ms. Jones, your plus-one has arrived,” the hostess says.
Amber Jones lowers her menu with an effervescent smile on her face. “Thank you, Sheila,” she says to the hostesses.
As soon as our hostess walks away, a male waiter is there, filling both of our glasses with water.
“Drinks to get you started?” he asks, offering us both a drink menu.
I don’t bother looking. “Unsweetened iced tea for me.”
“I’ll have a sex on the beach,” Amber practically purrs as she hands the menu back to the waiter with a wink, of course.
“You made it,” she says once we’re alone.
“You said you had some news to share.” I stare at her over the edge of my glass of water.
“Does everything have to be about business? We just sat down. How’s filming going?”
I knew this would happen. Amber is the type to hold on to whatever advantage she has until the very last moment.
“Great. What did you need to tell me?”
Her shoulders slump. “Andreas, you’re not playing fairly here. Just because we’re exes doesn’t mean we can’t be cordial to one another.”
I cock my head to the side, giving her a glare that has her sitting back a little in her seat.
“Don’t play that BS with me, Amber. When have I ever been anything but cordial and considerate with you?”
We dated for two years and broke up because we both grew out of the relationship. We didn’t split with any hard feelings, so the fact that she’d bring up our past relationship like it’s something I’m holding onto just pissed me off.
Before she can reply, the waiter returns with our drinks. I stop him from leaving to give us time to look over the menus. There’s no need for all of that. I choose the steak and goat cheese salad while Amber opts for the salmon.
“Back to the point,” I start as soon as our waiter leaves.
Amber huffs. “Have you given more consideration to what my team proposed? You know this would benefit us both.”
She’s referring to the proposal of our fake relationship contract. It wasn’t Stan who brought it to my attention this time. This was brought to me by my public relations team.
“The fact that you set this luncheon up, tells me you already know what response I told my team to send your way.”
She rolls her eyes toward the ceiling. “Yes, I got yournot a chance in hell. Did you have to be so harsh?”
