Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

I snort. “That was just the encore, where my lover’s best friend told him I’m a cheap whore who’s not worth all this trouble. That’s all.”

Anya crosses her arms. “Hmm. Sounds like prime-time television. A little over the top for my taste.”

I walk behind the reception desk and notice my college dashboard is still open. I lean closer to see my grades from my last quiz. The “D” next to the quiz number hits me like a slap in the face. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths.

“Anya, can you find that newspaper for me?”

She leans over and grabs it from the floor. “Here it is. Although I think calling it a newspaper is an insult to newspapers everywhere. This is trash, pure and simple.”

“Look at the headline. According to this, Andre is just sowing his oats before he marries some Italian socialite.”

“Italy’s Fashion King sows his wild oats with a local Cinderella.” She frowns down at the paper. “They think they’re so clever. You can’t believe anything you read in a tabloid.”

I shrug miserably. “For all I know, he has a penthouse just like the one here in other cities. Maybe he has a woman playing house with him in every city he travels to. I’m in way over my head here.”

“I’m sure he can explain, Casey. The way he looks at you… I don’t think that’s an act.” Anya pushes the paper away. “Don’t let what some stupid tabloid reporter made up bother you. They’ll print anything to sell papers.”

At that moment Jason comes back in, stopping short when Anya turns to glare at him. “I just need to get my briefcase. I dropped it while I was making calls.” His eyes meet mine briefly before he turns away.

“Wait!”

I run from behind the desk and stand in front of him. The last time I was fooled by a man, I ignored all the signs. Maybe if I’d been a little braver and asked a few questions, I wouldn’t have been so blindsided.

I hold up the paper. “Is there any truth to this?”

Jason looks at his feet. “Not exactly.”

“Not exactly? I knew it. He’s really married, isn’t he?”

Jason looks up, startled. “What? I didn’t say that! He wasn’t married to Marcella, they were only engaged.”

I grit my teeth. “Oh? Engaged, is that all? My mistake.” I walk back behind the reception desk and snatch my purse from the floor. After a moment of hesitation, I pick up the tabloid and fold it under my arm.

“Wait, let me explain. They broke up ages ago, I swear.”

I point at the door. “Just leave, Jason. Please? Haven’t you done enough for one day?”

Anya motions toward the door. “She needs a little time to deal with all this. Mr. Lavin will be back soon and this whole misunderstanding will be cleared up.”

He looks over at me. “I really am sorry.” Then he’s gone.

Anya pulls me into a hug. “I meant what I said to him. I’m sure this whole thing is just a misunderstanding. Just because he was engaged to that lady at some point doesn’t mean anything.”

“That’s just it, Anya. With some men, there’s always a misunderstanding. There’s always an excuse. I’ve seen this movie before and I already know how it ends. This time though, I’m not waiting around for the closing credits.”

I pull a blank sheet of paper from the printer. “Would you give him something for me?”

I write with precision, as if the care I take writing the words will soften the blow of the contents. It was foolish to think that having what I wanted would be easy. Rich, handsome princes only come to the rescue in Disney movies.

And it seems I kissed a prince and he turned into a frog. Andre was right. We really have done everything backward.

Anya slaps a hand on the edge of the paper. “I really hope that’s not a Dear John note.”

“I’ll be back later. Right now, I need to get out of here before I lose it.”

I glance at the mess on the floor again, Jason’s words coming back to haunt me. No pussy is that good. He might be an asshole but he had a point.

Andre has worked to make his business a success for years. His public image is everything and a crucial part of his success, even if he doesn’t want to admit it. He’s been the darling of the fashion world for years without a whiff of scandal until now.