Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

“The article contained many falsehoods but the one I want to correct is that I was cheating. I am not engaged and Miss Michaels is the only woman in my life. I love her very much but this entire thing has understandably scared her off. However, unlike most men who want to make a grand gesture, I have access to a billboard.”

A second later, the other sheet is pulled away. The picture on the billboard is of a brunette with wild curls, a perfume bottle in the shape of a lotus flower perched in her outstretched hands like an offering.

“So I give you the first Lavin perfume, in honor of the woman I hope will be my future. Casey’s Dream.”

Everyone in the room turns around to gape at me and I cover my mouth with my hands.

Is that really how he sees me?

But I know it is. It’s been there from the beginning in every touch, every word and every kiss. He has shown me that his love for me is true in every way possible. I just wasn’t hearing it because I wasn’t ready to believe it.

There’s nothing to stop us from being together except fear. Fear of what might happen. Fear of how others will react. But what I didn’t consider back then was that the fear will be countered by joy.

The joy of going to sleep with him.

The joy of waking up with him.

Every day with him will be an adventure. It’ll be the two of us against the world.

Anya hugs me from behind as everyone else looks back at the screen in amazement. “I told you I was putting my money on him. When men are cheating they hide the relationship. They don’t go on television and tell the world you’re the love of their life. Th

e man just named his first perfume after you. Are you really going to let him get away?”

“Not a chance.”

I pull out my phone and quickly type out a text. My thumb hovers over “Send” for a moment before I press the button.

“Anya, I hate to tell you this but it looks like you’re going to be covering the phones by yourself again for a while.”

She heaves a sigh. “Story of my life.”

25

* * *

I stand awkwardly in the middle of Casey’s living room. Her message just said Meet me at my place. I’m ready to talk. I thought the call was a good sign until I showed up and the door was opened by Ariana.

She pointed me toward the couch and told me to wait. But I suppose she’s getting ready to go to work because her demon baby is currently on the couch and I’m not sitting next to that thing.

The door behind me opens again and Casey comes in. “You’re here. I didn’t think you’d get here before me.”

“I came straight here when I saw your message.”

She looks between me and the couch. “Let’s go to my room so we can have privacy.”

I follow her down the hall to her room and wait while she closes the door. We stand awkwardly for a few seconds before she takes a deep breath.

“I saw the press conference. I can’t believe you named your perfume after me. It’s overwhelming. I really don’t know what to say.”

Madre di Dio.

I hope she didn’t only call me here to say thank you. I don’t want her gratitude. I want her to look at me the way she used to, with those shining eyes that made me feel like I could conquer the world.

“I’m so sorry for the things I said to you. The things I accused you of. You deserve so much better than that. So much better than me.” She whispers the last bit so softly I almost don’t hear it. It breaks my heart that she could even think it.

“There is no one better than you.” I kiss her forehead, my lips lingering until she finally leans into the embrace.

All at once, the stress of the past week falls away and my soul is at peace again. I hold her against my heart. If words can’t convey how I feel maybe the beat of my heart can bang out the message.