Boardroom Bride

“I thought he was trying to steal my lingerie line because he’s afraid to compete with a powerful woman,” I say, emphasizing the last part so the recording device will catch it. “But I think he just wanted to see me naked.”

“Fair enough,” Lis says. “And speaking of power, when was the last time you two heard from your former CEO, Jackson Halo?”

This catches me off guard. Jackson has nothing to do with my relationship with Tanner. He’s old news, ancient history.

“It’s been a while, actually.” I can’t even remember the last time we spoke.

“What about Tanner?”

“You’d have to ask him. I’m Tanner’s lover, not his secretary.”

Lis is writing something in her notebook, and I have to admit it makes me nervous to see her putting so many notes from such a nonspecific answer.

“Crooked Halo really took a nosedive. I can only imagine what the aftermath was like. Any thoughts on that?”

“None.” None that I’m going to share with her. “I mean, it all worked out well for me. I’m running my own business now.”

There were plenty of rumors going around about Jackson when I used to work for him, but nothing I could substantiate while I was posing for pictures and walking the runway. I was a model, not an accountant. So I focused on my job and tried to stay out of his business.

And now that he’s been accused of tax evasion and insider trading, I’m staying way out of his business. As far away as I can get.

“He’s in Seychelles, right?”

Last I heard, but it’s not like I came over to visit. “He could be anywhere by now.” And that’s the truth. “We were never that close. You know as much as I do. Maybe more.”

“What inspired you to work with him, if you’re not that close?”

“Um, he found me. My modeling agency booked a photo shoot for me, and that was that.”

“What do you think he saw in you?”

“I’m smart, driven, professional…”

Lis drops her head to her chest like she’s falling asleep. She even snores a little.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

I laugh. “It’s pretty easy to get a job if you take your clothes off during the interview.”

“Isn’t that oversimplifying it a bit? I didn’t think modeling was that easy.”

“It’s not. I’m surprised you know that.” Looks aside, I try to think about why I succeeded where equally beautiful models had failed. “I guess it’s vulnerability. The tougher a woman is on the outside, the more rewarding it is when you see what she’s hiding underneath.”

Lis nods and fills her notebook with her loopy handwriting. Then she looks up.

“But you ended up on the business side of things.”

“That’s right.” I’m relieved. I think I’ve managed to turn the conversation back to me and away from Jackson Halo.

“Did Mr. Halo encourage you to do that?”

I guess not. I take a deep breath.

“I’m pretty self-driven, actually. And I never intended to be a lingerie model forever. Why wouldn’t I branch out?”

“But he must’ve enjoyed seeing you climb the corporate ladder: creating your own line and running the show. He hasn’t reached out to…congratulate you? Offer advice?”

“Advice? I’m at the top of my field. I don’t need him watching over my shoulder.”