Burned Deep (Burned 1)

Fury tore through me. “I always knew you were a piece of work, Mother, but this is downright evil. If you think for one minute—”

“I didn’t tell you this before, but I’ve written the first three chapters already. I started off with some of the bigger names, just to make things juicy right off the bat.”

My stomach roiled.

“Five thousand a month would be oh-so helpful, darling.” Her tone was sugary sweet.

She was insane! Maybe all that Botox had contaminated her brain.

“Think about it, Aria Lynne. I’ll be in touch.”

The line went dead. I stared at the receiver for endless moments, my mind racing. What in the hell was I going to do with her?

chapter 13

I didn’t get much sleep that night and was monumentally relieved the next day when Mr. Mysterious texted to take my mind off my mother. I was in the middle of a meeting with PR, discussing initial guest lists for the myriad pre-launch festivities. The VIPs astounded me, and we hadn’t even yet touched on those invited to the grand opening.

Amano will pick you up at seven tonight.

I had no idea what compelled me to be sassy—it wasn’t exactly advisable with this man—but I typed: I’m not dating Amano. Pick me up yourself. Maybe I was just that desperate to see him.

I have business.

I frowned. Wished he could see it. I replied: Is this a professional request?

You want answers, don’t you?

My heart picked up a few extra beats. Had I really gotten through to him?

Someone will have to drive me home since I have to be in the office in the morning.

So do I. Bring a change of clothes.

I sucked in a breath. All eyes at the conferen

ce table snapped in my direction.

A blush crept up my neck. Covering my faux pas, I said, “Sorry. A vendor just confirmed the garland I want is available.”

“I swear you have the coolest job here,” Lacy Jackson said. She was head of Food and Beverage.

“For me, yes,” I concurred. “But PR hobnobs with society types at galas. Marketing is being wooed by every Southwest athletic team for joint ventures, and you get to sample food and expensive wines and liqueurs all day long.”

“So true.” She beamed. “It’s not a position I’d trade for all the chocolate made from Venezuela cacao pods in the world.”

“And companies send it to you in bricks, it seems,” said Carter Moore, the VP of Marketing.

They all went off on a dark-chocolate and red-wine tangent and I stole another glance at my phone.

I’m waiting.

I smirked, feeling his impatience.

Then typed, Yes.

* * *

Thank God I’d reserved the afternoon for ordering decoration samples. Although this was a critical part of the launch—everything had to look just right and be as magnificent as the Lux itself—I wasn’t making any sort of concrete decisions at the moment. Just examining and contemplating options.