Page 153 of Gin and Lava

I’m pissed at Mason. He’s obviously gone behind my back and set something up with Esme and Desmond without asking my permission. He’s told them about my jewelry and … and dammit! Why does this actually seem sweet as hell? It’s like he knew I’d always chicken out.

“Um …” My throat tightens with emotion. “This, uh, isn’t a great time to chat, Esme. I’m driving, and one of those big typhoons just started. Can we, uh—can I call you back later?”

“Oh yeah, sure. Of course. Those torrential rains are so scary. They just come out of nowhere. Are you somewhere safe?”

“No, I’m—I mean, yes, I’m fine. I just pulled off the road—” I fumble as the rain begins to splatter down in a loud drumming atop the cab. “Can you forward me the email that Mason sent you? He forgot to CC me on it.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll send it right now.” There’s a pinch in Esme’s voice like she knows something’s wrong. Classic best friend, she doesn’t even have to see my face to know I’m not acting normal.

“I’m just nervous about launching a jewelry brand,” I say to cover for the confusion swirling in my gut. “You know: Will people like this? Is this a horrible idea? Classic imposter syndrome.”

“Your work is gorgeous, Naomi!” Esme gushes. “I can’t believe you didn’t show me this sooner!”

“I wanted to,” I admit, looking at the dark clouds that fill the horizon. “I just—”

“It’s terrifying to open a business.” Esme states. “Trust me, I know. Becoming a solo contractor out here in SoCal has been difficult, even with a famous boyfriend.”

“Precisely,” I say, wishing that was all of it.

“You should get Simon to sit down with you to work out your financials. He’s a freaking master when it comes to money.”

“Right,” I nod, remembering that Simon’s the accountant side of Flambé. “I’ll, um, I’ll do that.”

“Oh, and I showed your work to Estelle. She’s totally on board. Seriously, you’re going to make a killing at this.”

Estelle? Isn’t that the female co-star of Desmond’s showBillionaire Heat!

She liked my work? That’s insane.

“Wow …!” I shake my head trying to comprehend all of this, not sure I heard her right with the way the rain is pounding. “That’s … yeah, it’s all a little overwhelming. Again, send me the email from Mason, so I know which ideas he sent you.”

“I will. I’m looking forward to hanging out with you and Mason at the wedding. I’m sorry I underestimated you two.”

Underestimated us?

What am I going to tell her when I show up to Shauri’s wedding all by my lonesome? It was all fake, until it wasn’t. At least for Mason it wasn’t.

My throat tightens when I think about how he said the L-word. Then it’s followed by a soft warmth in my chest. Only, that’s not fair. It’s not fair to him. It’s nice to feel loved and to be wanted, but I can’t take advantage of Mason like that. Especially if I don’t feel the same—or I don’t feel … or I don’t knowwhatto feel. Everything is so complicated when it comes to Mason. He just doesn’t make sense.

“I’ll see you at the wedding,” I say weakly.

That’s true.I’llbe there. I just have to come up with an explanation for why Mason isn’t with me—for why we broke up. I’ll need something I can tell to everyone, even though I’m so damn tired of lying.

“I’ll chat with you later about my jewelry,” I promise. “Catch you later, Esme.”

“Love you!”

I hang up, then navigate to my email. It takes a second for the forwarded message from Esme to come through, but after a minute of listening to the rain pound like it’s going to drown the whole island, the email shows up.

I open it and browse through the contents. It’s comprehensive. This isn’t a quick email with a couple of ideas. It’s a full-fledged branding plan using Desmond’s costars onBillionaire Heatto build buzz for my jewelry. There’s even a reply note from Esme explaining how Estelle is on board, and that she loves my designs. According to the note, Estelle is all about helping female designers make their stamp on Hollywood. Which is true, because she helped Andromeda launch her early work by wearing the Vegas designer’s gowns to several high-profile events. And now Estelle is interested in doing the same thing for me?

Holy shit!

The windshield of my cab starts fogging up, I’m breathing so hard. Is this really happening? This is exactly what I want my jewelry business to be: high-profile, gorgeous, something celebrities wear to fancy events.

Howis this even happening?

I roll down my window, letting the pelts of rain fly into the cab and soak my shoulder and t-shirt. I need the sopping cold to wake me up from this fantasy.

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