Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

I shake my head mutely. He curses and pulls out his phone.

“I can’t believe people were following us around, taking pictures of us.” This is exactly what Andre was warning me about but I thought that I’d have time to get ready for it. Apparently it’s been happening all along.

We weren’t doing anything wrong, but having my private business splashed across a tabloid makes it seem cheap and tawdry. And the article isn’t even accurate! I pick it up and read it again, my blood pressure rising with every word.

“Neither of us is cheating on anyone. Why would they say that? They can’t just make up lies, can they?”

Mya squeezes my shoulder. “Unfortunately, tabloids do it all the time.”

“But why would they do that? I mean I’m nobody.” I’m on the verge of crying.

“That’s what makes it so interesting. If you were some fame-hungry actress it wouldn’t have made the front page that you were dating him.” Jason turns his back and launches into a stream of French.

Andre comes in then and I run into his arms. He holds me tightly and runs a soothing hand over my hair. “It’s going to be fine. I should have expected this. Prepared you for it. It was negligent of me to assume that they didn’t already know about you.”

“I’m just sorry you have to be embarrassed.”

He waves that away with a flick of his hand. “I’m hardly embarrassed. I’m used to this, unfortunately. The good news is that the media has a short attention span. In a day or two no one will even remember this story.”

Jason waves him over. I leave them talking and walk over to Mya. James is on his cell phone with his back to us. I’d assumed he would be mad but his expression had seemed sympathetic when they walked in.

“James doesn’t seem too upset.”

“No one blames you for this, Casey.” Mya squeezes my arm. “You can’t control what those idiot reporters write. It’s not your fault. We’re going to consider this free advertising and find a way to spin it to our advantage. That’s what we do. Cole Fitzgerald, our head of PR, is on his way in. Actually that’s probably who James is talking to right now.”

“Thank you for being so nice about all of this. And for your advice before. I’m trying not to be so dumb, as you put it.”

Mya laughs. “Good. Now it’s probably best if you take the day off while we sort this out. Avoid going outside. I’m sure Andre will be able to tell you the best way to avoid the paparazzi. This will all blow over soon.”

She’s right. Maybe that’s what he’s talking about with Jason. I walk up behind

them to hear them talking in low tones.

“Find out who took those pictures. I want a name.” Andre sounds furious.

“The investigator is already on it. Not that it matters at this point.” Jason makes an irritated sound. “We need to get to the office and figure out how to spin this thing. I haven’t come this far to watch you throw it all away for a piece of ass.”

I gasp. Andre turns then and sees me standing behind them. His face twists into a mask of rage as he faces the other man again.

“Apologize. Now.”

Jason shoots me a look of derision. “I’m not apologizing. She may have you under her spell, but I’m still thinking with the head on my shoulders. No pussy in the world is that good.”

The room goes dead quiet and then Andre swings, his fist connecting with Jason’s jaw with a loud crack. Jason tumbles into a side table before jumping up and charging at Andre. I scream as they fall backward into the wall, punching and kicking. Mya grabs my arm and pulls me out of the way.

An ear-splitting whistle cuts through the air.

“What the hell is going on here?” Anya stands with her hands on her hips surveying the men sprawled on the floor. Andre gets up and walks over to me.

I shake my head and back away. “Please, I can’t talk right now. I just need a minute alone.”

His face falls but he nods and then walks out the front doors, Jason trailing a few feet behind.

Anya picks up the pieces of a ceramic bowl that was broken in the scuffle. “The good stuff always happens when I’m late.” She tosses the broken pottery in the trash can.

“Oh, you didn’t miss much. Just a tabloid story with yours truly on the cover. Also the entire Lavin account is now in jeopardy because someone sold compromising pictures of us to the tabloids.”

Anya gestures to the mess on the floor. “Does that have anything to do with the boxing match I just witnessed?”