by Evie Monroe
“That’s fine. It will save me the extra paperwork. Oh, and you might want to start cutting back on your diet. Victoria isn’t as lenient on girls with your little problem thighs as I am.” She gasped into the phone.
“How dare you! I’m the hottest model you had, Johnny. I am the face of Mad Mode, and you’re going to regret losing me, you just wait and see!” She was still ranting as I ended the call and stood, putting the phone into my pocket.
I knew Victoria was going to try and pull help from Mad Mode when she could. She was a leech, and that’s what leeches do. I ticked through my staff wondering if there was anyone else who might be flying the coop, but it was always hard to tell. The only two people I could really rely on were Nate and Weed. Everyone else would be a feather in the wind if they knew the breeze was blowing in their favor. If they thought they’d end up on a sinking ship, I could see them bailing, but thanks to Liss and her help with the line, that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
I wondered what kind of work Weed had her doing today and if the two were bouncing ideas around like a tennis ball or slaving away at some manual task that Weed should probably have someone else doing. He had a way of pushing people aside to get the job done quicker, and though I’d scolded him for it many times, he was set in his ways.
I walked down the maze of hallways to his studio which was a huge warehouse of counters and storage. There were always lots of people moving around, and sometimes I wondered how Weed knew who belonged and who didn’t.
I found Liss lugging a tote across the room, and when I approached, she kept her head tucked and her focus on her job. “I think I’m being watched.” She turned her eyes to the side and kept moving.
I glanced over my shoulder and smiled as she headed up a ladder. “By who?” She continued to lift the box up over her head and stack it on the shelf and then she climbed down.
“By her.” She glanced up and moved past me, headed for another box.
I looked up to see Victoria standing against the wall, her faithful companion, Chester at her side, his eyes focused on Weed.
When our eyes met, she gave me a little wave. As I approached she lifted her leg propping her foot against the wood paneled wall. “What are you doing here?”
“Is she the one? The girl whose designs you stole?” She reached out and picked a piece of lint off my shirt. “I bet she still has her baby teeth.”
“It’s better than those fangs of yours.” I pushed her hand away as it lingered on my chest. “I hear that you secured a new model. I’m glad you gave her a job, it made me feel much better about wanting to let her go.”
“Yes, I’m building my business with my own designs too. You should see them, sometime. I could always come by one evening and let you have a peek at what’s going to force you out.”
“No thanks. I like to keep my place free of vermin.” I looked over in time to see Chester disappear behind a shelf with his phone to his ear.
“You know I’m just going to keep making your life hell until you sign those papers. I want what’s mine like anyone else, and I’m entitled to it. And if you think I’m going to sit by and watch some little speck like her take what’s mine, you’re sorely mistaken. I’ll bury you to get what I want, Johnny. If the rumors I hear are true about your newest collection, you’re passing me the shovel.”
“That issue is already being handled, and of course the designs are mine. Besides, I didn’t ask for your opinions or approval. Now, if you have no other business here aside from making my staff nervous, I’d suggest you take your foot off my wall and get the fuck out.”
“You always were so crass. I wonder if your new girl will be able to handle your mood swings better than I did.”
My temper flared, and I stepped up into her face. “Get the fuck out!” I hated that she always brought out the worst in me and although I didn’t believe in hitting women, she was making me need a new religion.
“Don’t lose your head, Johnny. If you think I’m going to sit around and let you make my life hard, without giving it right back in return, then you’re crazier than I thought. Sign the fucking papers.” She pushed off the wall and looked around, stunned for a moment that Chester was nowhere in sight. “Chester!”
The man walked out from behind the shelves, and as he passed Weed on his way out, the two said hello. Weed turned and saw me and came over to stand with me as we watched them leave. “I can’t believe she’s still coming around. You need to cut your ties for good with that woman and be done with her.”
“She’s just so damned determined. I’d hoped when she got her own line, she’d move on, but now I’m afraid she’ll use it as a way to stay in touch.”
“At least I get to see Chester. He’s got a cute smile, don’t you think?” I screwed my face up with disgust.
“No, I really haven’t noticed.”
“Oh, sorry. Sometimes I forget you’re not just another one of my girlfriends.” He turned and sauntered across the room to where Liss was still moving bins.
“I’m almost done, and then we’ll have the bins we need. I still say we could’ve gone out and bought some.” Weed stood at the foot of the ladder and looked down at the tubs.
“Nah, we’ll use these and save Johnny some money. You know how those rich old men are, pinching every penny.” He reached out and tousled my hair, and I slapped his hand.
“What are you two doing and how is it going to make me rich?”
Weed nudged Liss. “See? He’s always thinking about money.” I wondered if she had confided in him about us. The two had been acting like besties since day one, but I didn’t know if I wanted her and him talking about our love life. Did women even do that sort of thing? I knew that Weed and his “girlfriends” did, but I wasn’t sure if he considered her as such seeing that she was actually a girl.
“I’m going to show him how I dye the scarves and we’re going to make a batch of fabrics.”
“But that’s your thing, isn’t it?”
“Our thing. You bought that line, right? It’s all yours now. Well, as soon as the money hits my bank account.”
“The money should be there by the end of the day. And I’m throwing in a bit extra to cover this technique.”
“I’ll let you.” She shrugged, and Weed laughed.
“It’s nice having someone so easy-going to work with. I wish everyone in this business was as understanding.”
“You bought the line. It’s no different than if you hired me to do the work for you. And besides, it’s going to be a nice investment back into my own business.”
“More competition. Just what I needed. Especially since I’m actually afraid of you.”
She giggled. “Afraid of little me?”
“Yes, you actually have the talent to put me down. Oh, and speaking of putting things down, Gretta has left us.” I gave Weed a pat on the back, and he let loose a long breath of what seemed like a relief.
“I hope it wasn’t anything I did,” said Liss. The worry in her striking blue eyes had me wanting to reach out and caress her and tell her that everything was going to be okay.
Instead, I fought against my urges using my better judgment. “No, it was nothing you did. This is a cut-throat business at times.”
“Let me guess; Victoria?” Weed shook his head as I nodded.
“Who is Victoria? Is she the woman who was just giving the evil eye?”
“Evil is a good description. She’s Johnny’s—
“My worst enemy.” I exchanged a look with Weed that told him to keep his big mouth shut. He closed his mouth, pulling his glossed lips in tight, and then nodded.
“Yes, that’s the understatement of the century.” Weed bent down and picked up the tubs and then headed out the back door with them.
“Are you busy? I’d like to show you how the scarves are made too.” She looked at me with hopeful eyes, and it made my blood pump faster.
I stepped in closer to speak in her ear. “I just came out to find a broom clo
set, but I guess I could make time.” When I stepped back the color of her cheeks were as red as rose petals.
“You better behave. I’m on the clock, and my boss has a mean temper.” She picked up the extra bin at her feet and headed out to join Weed.
Chapter 14
Liss
Weed and I had spent most of the morning going over everything for the upcoming fashion show, and we’d even chosen a new outfit for the new model Johnny had hired two days ago. It hadn’t taken long to find someone willing to take Gretta’s place.
“My friend is going to be performing tonight if you want to come down to the club and watch her. I know you haven’t really gotten to see much of L.A., and with your time being short, you need to make the most of it.”
“Thanks, but Johnny and I are going out to dinner. He asked me the other night.”
“The other night, huh? So, just how close are you and Johnny? I mean, should I be expecting the next fashion power couple or is that jumping the gun?” The blush on my cheeks was a dead giveaway, and he gave me the side eye and leaned back against the counter and folded his arms.
“We’re just; I don’t know. Does it have to mean anything for two people to go out to dinner?”
“That depends on how close the two people are or how attracted to one another they might be. You can’t tell me that he’s not caught your attention.” He shook his head and pulled out his fingernail file.
“Of course, he has. He’s gorgeous.” My voice had lowered an octave, and I tugged at the front of my blouse. Just thinking of the night we’d had together and how hot he’d been then, made me feel a bit warm.
“It’s hard to believe you two haven’t been messing around, or have you?” He narrowed his eyes, and I suddenly couldn’t fight the grin off my face.
“You have.” He gave me a nudge. “You bad girl.” He suddenly didn’t seem so impressed.
“It’s not that big of a deal, is it? I mean, we’re both adults.”
“He’s very much an adult; old enough to be your father adult. As long as you two have talked and you know what you’re getting into.”
“We have, and I do, thanks. It’s nice to have someone concerned for me.”
“You’re like the little sister I never had. And since I’m going to skip out half a day to go and get ready for my friend’s big night, how about you go with me? I’ll get you the best mani-pedi you’ve ever had.”
“You mean, we can just leave? Like whenever we want?”
“I haven’t punched a clock in years, and I’m sure Johnny will appreciate me taking you out to make you sexy for him.”
“Awesome. I’m in. But I want to go shopping. I’ve never hit any big Hollywood stores before, and it’s been a dream of mine.”
“Let me show you my city, honey. I’ll even buy lunch. You won’t regret it.” Weed held up his hand, and I gave him five. We hurried to finish up the few things we still needed to do, and then we were off.
Weed drove a huge hot pink Jeep that he’d had lifted and decked out with every accessory known to man. I had to take off my heels and have his help using step bars just to climb inside it, but it was a fun ride into the city.
He took me to a nail salon where I was treated like royalty just for being with him and then after we went to a few stores.
“I think we have time for one more before lunch if you want. I could use a drink.” He fanned himself and then scratched his head with his long nails, which were done to perfection. The silver star nail was now replaced with rose gold and crystals.
We stopped out front of the shop and then we walked inside, arm in arm like a couple who’d been married for years. As my eyes adjusted, I couldn’t believe what I saw. “Weed, look!” I walked up to the mannequin and checked the detail on the dress it wore.
“Well, it doesn’t take long for the knockoffs to hit the shelf, does it?”
“It hasn’t even been a week.”
“The greedy work fast, darling. There’s nothing you can really do about it, so I wouldn’t let it get your dander up.”
“The quality is certainly lacking.” I curled my lip, and the saleswoman came up and greeted Weed.
“That’s our latest piece. Hot isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I’d say. Hot as in, stolen.” I huffed and took out my camera to take a picture. I didn’t know whether to be flattered or pissed off.
“Excuse me?”
“We work for Mad Mode; this is a knock off of one of our original pieces.” Weed knew how to handle the situation better than me so, I let him do the talking.
“Oh, yeah. We offer ours at half the cost.”
“Half the quality too, I see.” Weed squeezed my hand and gave the saleswoman a grin that said pardon me while I kill my friend.
The woman’s mouth hung open as Weed pulled me out the door. “Get a grip, Liss.” I wanted to scream. I’d not only had my designs stolen not once but twice.
“Johnny wasn’t kidding when he said this was a cut-throat business.” I headed to the Jeep and Weed followed.
“Don’t take it too hard. They say that copying is a form of flattery.” He shrugged and helped me up into my seat. He walked around and climbed up into his seat, and it seemed much easier for him being six-feet-two and wearing five-inch heels.
I crossed my arms in front and slumped down in my seat. “Who says that? The ones doing the copying?”
“It’s all part of the game, Liss.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry if I don’t like getting cheated again. It isn’t like those people are going to cut me a big check like Johnny did for my designs.” Johnny had been overly generous with my payment and the bonus for the dye technique.
“Have you told your father about what happened yet?”
I got a sinking feeling in my gut and shook my head. “No. I’m not sure how he’ll react. I mean, I don’t know whether I should tell him about the mix-up and hope he doesn’t think I was cheated, or tell him I made a deal and let him tell me how I should’ve asked for his advice, which I would’ve done if I’d known I was making a deal.” I had always included my dad in my big decisions, and I didn’t want this to hurt his feelings.
“Do you feel like you were cheated, Liss? I mean, I know it was done in a messed-up way, but what if Johnny had loved the designs and come to you to buy them?” He started the Jeep and turned to look before taking to the road.
“Oh, I would’ve sold them in a heartbeat. I mean, yes, they are my heart, but that’s a lot of money, and my little shop back home would take years, if ever, to make half of that. It’s not like sitting there sewing my fingers to the bone was going to make me a household name or anything. At least now my designs can get the attention they deserve. I’m still the designer. Public knowledge doesn’t change that.”
“Well, that’s what you tell your father. That you’re happy with the deal. That’s all he’ll care about anyway. You are happy, aren’t you?”
“Of course. I finally feel like I’m a part of something. In college, I didn’t have many friends. Only a couple from class and Sabrina, she’s my oldest and closest. But lately she’s been gone, and I’ve been so wrapped up in my work. I like being here. And I love being a part of all this. I don’t ever want it to end.”
“Our friendship will never end. No matter where you are. Don’t think all doom and gloom. I don’t need to cry, honey. Stop making me say all this sappy shit, girl.” He chuckled and wiped a stray tear.
“Sorry. Johnny’s lucky to have you. He said you'd been friends since college.”
He nodded and took the next right and pulled up at restaurant parking lot and chuckled. “We sure have. He was a roommate of mine along with this big group of guys. We shared a three-bedroom house and split the rent. I stayed in an alcove off the dining room and used the closet under the stairs for my wardrobe. Well, it wasn’t the easiest place for a guy like me to store to my dresses, and since I hadn’t quite come out to the other guys, I didn’t want anyone to know or find my thing
s.”
“You mean, no one knew?”
“No, I was not even passable in those days, not that I am much now, but I was all boy, gangly limbs, and no glitter.” It was hard to see him that way in my mind. He reached over into his purse and took out his license. “This is me with my boy suit on.” He waved a finger in my direction. “Now don’t you go telling anyone I showed you that.”
“How come you don’t identify as a woman? I mean, you wear women’s clothes, you wear makeup, and you date men, right?”
He laughed. “How come you don’t wear a fake tan and call yourself Abigail? It’s not who I am, honey. I’m Andrew Weedman, whether I have my lip gloss on or not. I shouldn’t have to wear a label just because I have a crazy fashion sense.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
He laughed again. “You’re not offensive, Liss. You’re just not informed. Like those boys back in college. I had to take whatever acceptance they’d give me, and that was what made telling them so hard.”
“So, Johnny accepted you?” I knew Johnny was a little strange himself.
“Yes, Ma’am. And for a few days after, he’s the only one. It wasn’t until I was on my way out the door, packed and ready never to return, that the others came around. I found out later that Johnny had shamed them all. He’d even gone out of his way to switch rooms with me. He had the biggest room in the house. And if you notice, at Mad Mode, I’ve still got the biggest room.”
“He’s a good guy, isn’t he?”
“The best. And so, I’ll always be grateful. “
“Yeah. Do you ever think his company will be in trouble? He said something about the Victoria lady who was at the studio the other day. How she’s his worst enemy. Is she trying to take over his company or get him to sell?”
Weed’s expression turned into a frown. “You mean, he didn’t tell you who she was?” His eyes narrowed.