Page 110 of The Innovator

I gulped my wine and refilled the glass. “Yup. He told me he wanted variety, and that I was ‘too simple’ for him.”

Audri furrowed her eyebrows. “He said that?”

I nodded as tears welled in my eyes. “I thought he’d just been working late, but it turns out he’s been seeing other women.”

“I’m going to kill him!” Audri said.

“Oh, honey.” Kiera pulled me into an embrace. “Men are jerks. I’m so sorry.”

“I thought we had something special,” I cried and finished another glass of wine. Reaching for the bottle, Michelle swatted my hand away.

“I want some wine too. Don’t drink it all.” Michelle poured herself a full glass and gave me just a little. “Anyone else want some before Natalie drinks it all?”

Kiera lifted her hand even though she hadn’t touched her Cosmopolitan.

“Bitch, stop hogging it,” I said with a laugh, my words slurring.Shit. Was I already drunk? “I only had two glasses of wine. Why do I feel all woozy?”

“You had four glasses,” Audri said.

“What . . .” I buried my face in my folded arms on the table and cried, “I feel so stupid.”

“You’re not,” Michelle said. “He is.”

“I can’t believe him. I’m going to kick his butt for you,” Audri said.

I sat up. “Okay.”

Kiera pushed a glass of water in front of me. “This is going to help prevent the hangover you might have tomorrow.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“Yes, you are.” Kiera smiled.

“Maybe just a little.” I placed a hand on my throbbing head. I wasn’t used to this much wine in one sitting. It was too much for me, and my body didn’t like it. “I have a favor to ask you.” I drank the glass of water and prayed I’d be fine when I woke tomorrow.

“You don’t have to ask. We’re here for you.” Michelle clasped my hand and squeezed.

“I have a new handbag collection I would love you to help me promote.”

Audri gasped. “Do you have a marketing campaign already? If not, I’d love to help out.”

“I don’t have anything yet. I plan on staying in Providence to promote Momentum. Maybe look for a retail space.”

“That’s the label?” Kiera asked with wide eyes.

“I thought I already told you?” A hand went to my forehead.

“Nope. You’ve had a lot going on with the abduction, the mystery around your dad’s death, and now this. We understand.” Michelle sipped from her wineglass.

I narrowed my eyes at her, knowing she’d taken the wine so I couldn’t drink more.

“You don’t need to go back to Paris to help with LaRue?” Audri asked.

“I can help them while I’m here. My mom has it under control, and they promoted a designer to take over my role so I can dedicate more time to Momentum.”

“Count me in.” Michelle smiled. “I’ll do a bunch of blog posts on your bags and clothes.”

“I’ll be your fashion photographer. If you have samples, I can give them away to supermodels to promote. If they know you’re the designer for LaRue, they’ll be all over it.”

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