Ask Me

by M. Malone

Then I can start figuring out how to start running to Andre instead of away.

  Walking back into Mirage isn’t the dramatic movie entrance I thought it would be. In my head I’d planned out how I’d walk bravely through the doors and sit proudly behind the reception desk with my head held high against any criticism.

  In reality, I walk in and no one notices or cares.

  It’s refreshingly normal. As Mya reminded me last night, we live in the age of the twenty-four hour news cycle. No matter how big of a splash something makes, it’s quickly replaced by something else.

  “Welcome back.” Anya rounds the edge of the front desk and leans on the counter next to me.

  “Thank you. I’m glad to be back. Although I’ll miss having my mom’s cooking.”

  Anya pulls a brown paper sack from her bag on the floor and holds it out to me. “Maybe this will help then. I brought beignets from that place you like.”

  I squeal and rip into the bag immediately. I pop a beignet in my mouth, where the soft pastry melts on my tongue like butter. “Man, these are better than sex. Who needs men when you have melt-in-your-mouth French pastries?”

  “Would you say that if you knew Mr. Lavin was asking about you the other day, I wonder?” Anya smiles craftily when I swivel around to face her. “Well, that got your attention, didn’t it?”

  “Andre was here? What did you say?” I narrow my eyes. Anya is quirky enough to do or say just about anything.

  “He wasn’t here. He called last week to finalize plans with the marketing team for the press conference today. Before I transferred his call, he asked if I’d heard from you. If you needed anything.”

  She leans against the file cabinet and crosses her long legs. “I think he was trying to find out when you’d be back without being totally obvious.”

  “I’m sure he was just making polite conversation.” I tuck a stray curl behind my ear and try to look nonchalant.

  “Maybe. But I saw the way he looked at you... I even like the way he says your name. Cassandra,” she purrs, rolling the “r” the way Andre does. She lets out a dramatic sigh and pops another pastry in her mouth.

  “I figured you two would have worked it all out by now.” She taps the heel of her black stiletto against the carpet. It makes a soft scratching sound every time it hits the floor. “I guess that means the sex wasn’t that great, huh? Which is surprising because that bathroom picture was hot.”

  I choke slightly and then gulp down the piece of beignet that was stuck in my throat. “For the record, the sex was amazing. I just thought some time apart would be good for us. To make sure he’s thinking with a clear head. With the head on his shoulders, as his friend pointed out.”

  “That guy was a jerk.” Anya makes a face.

  “Yeah, but he’s saying what a lot of people are thinking. My mom even saw that article. She thought I was prostituting myself to pay the bills.”

  “But we know the truth. And personally, I’m putting my money on Mr. Lavin. I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls again today.”

  The thought makes me smile. After my night of ice cream therapy with Mya and Ariana, I feel like I’m ready to see him. Maybe tonight after work I’ll call him and we can talk. My insecurities won’t disappear overnight but that’s something I’ll have to work on.

  James passes by and waves. “Casey, welcome back. The Lavin press conference is about to start. Anya, I need you. Uh, Casey you can sit this one out if you want. Considering the circumstances.”

  Anya chuckles once he’s gone. “Well, that was awkward. Come on. The press conference is being televised so everyone’s in the boardroom watching. It’s not like you have to actually see him in person. This is the first project you’ve assisted on so you should be there for the formal announcement. Then we can sneak out for a little retail therapy. I’m sure someone is having a sale.”

  Anya leads the way down the hall to the biggest conference room. Most of the other employees are already there. Milo is near the front, his attention on the large flat screen mounted on the wall.

  After I made the suggestion that Andre star in his own campaign, he emailed the idea to Mya that night. She loved it but since the article came out right after that, I never got to see the final campaign.

  It’ll be interesting to see what the team has come up with.

  The soft murmur of voices in the room quiets as the camera zooms in on Andre climbing the stairs to a small podium. The space behind him is swathed in large white curtains. He’s no doubt planning to unveil the new campaign in dramatic fashion.

  I move a little closer. It’s hard to tell where he is until the camera pans out and the unmistakable image of the National Monument appears behind him in the distance.

  He’s still in town.

  My heart dances a little in my chest. Even though he told us he was staying until the campaign was resolved, after all the drama of last week I wondered if he would return to Italy. I look down at my feet hoping no one else notices me mooning over him.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. It is with great pleasure that I make two announcements today.” Andre leans on the podium, giving the impression of being completely at ease before the large crowd. It’s only when the camera zooms in closer that you can see the shadows beneath his eyes.

  “I am pleased to unveil the new face of Lavin Couture.”

  There’s a dramatic flourish as the large, white sheet on the left is yanked down to reveal a stunning ten-foot photo of Andre. There’s a moment of shocked silence before the audience breaks out into cheers. Andre chuckles and bows in response.

  “After much debate, someone very dear to my heart pointed out an obvious truth.” He pauses and stares directly into the camera. “This beloved woman told me that I was the essential ingredient that makes Lavin Couture what it is. It is an extension of my personal style and up until this point, it was my whole life. Not anymore.”

  The reporters in the crowd jockey to get closer to the stage, shouting questions and waving their hands in the air. He pointedly waits until they stop shouting.

  “Last week I was the subject of a vicious tabloid article. It included pictures that are a shocking violation of my privacy and while I am used to being the target of such gossip, the woman I love isn’t. I am done allowing the press to use scare tactics and lies to sell papers.”

  The crowd is quiet.

  “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.

  Or maybe I should just refuse to ever let her out of bed, then she might start to get the idea.

  “Casey, you were wrong about a lot of things, but your words made me think. We do come from different worlds.”

  She swipes under her eyes with her sleeve. “We really do.”

  I walk to the window and peer outside. She follows and looks over my shoulder. All I can see is the side of another dingy building and the rusted stairs of a fire escape. “My Milan flat has a much better view. It’s on the Piazza del Duomo.”

  She flinches. “Really? Isn’t that the famous town square in Milan?”

  Her lack of money and social status doesn’t matter to me but it obviously bothers her so what I say in this moment is pivotal. I’ll never again allow the cruel words of others to hurt her. Where I come from, a man takes pride in protecting and providing for his wife.

  I close my eyes and let the word roll through me.

  My wife. Mi amore.

  I take her hand and squeeze. “Yes. It’s really a beautiful building, too. With marble floors and the most exquisite architectural details. It’s such a shame that I won’t be keeping it.”

  I pull out my phone and hit the second speed dial. “Ciao, Philippe. I’m giving you my flat in Milan. Ask Mamma for the…”

  The phone is snatched from my hand mid-sentence.

  “Are you crazy? You can’t just give away a condo.” She taps hurriedly at the screen of the phone. “Sorry, Philippe,” she calls out before finally disconnecting the call.

  “I was going to give him the car I keep in Milan as well.” I tuck my hands innocently in my pockets as she stares. “If my family is not accepting then we probably won’t go there too often. Besides, maybe you will feel more comfortable with me if I am less rich, no?”

  She laughs then, a full throaty sound. “I’m starting to think I’ll never be comfortable with you. Perhaps that’s a good thing. I’ll never be bored.”

  “If I was a poor man, I couldn’t love you any more than I do. Does any of the rest really matter?”

  She rests her head against my chest. “You make it seem so easy. Nothing in my life has ever been easy. I’m afraid to believe in this.”

  I tip her chin up and kiss her softly. “Did it ever occur to you that I too am afraid? You might decide to love someone else and break my heart.”

  Casey snorts and gives me her first genuine smile. “Not happening. I can’t imagine loving anyone else.”

  I lean down until our noses touch. “It’s going to be a transition but I believe in us. And there are things we can do to make the transition easier.”

  “What’s that?” She reaches up and threads her fingers through my hair. She’s touching me all over. I think she’s missed this almost as much as I have.

  “Well, you could move back into the penthouse like we’d originally planned. My personal security will be able to protect both of us better if we’re in the same place.”

  She nods. “Moving back in is a definite yes. Because all my clothes are there and I’m not packing all that stuff back up. What else?”

  “I can turn off the comments on my Instagram posts. It won’t stop all the trolls but at least we won’t have to see it.”

  “You don’t have to do that. Let them rage. As Ariana pointed out, they’re just jealous. And it’s not like I can blame them. I would be jealous, too.”

  I bury my face in her hair. “There’s one more thing that would really shut up the haters. Something that would show the world that I love you and I’ll never stop.”

  Her breath catches as she finally realizes what I’m leading up to.

  “Marry me, Cassandra.”

  She puts a hand on my cheek. “You don’t have to marry me to keep people from talking. I’m not running away anymore. Let them talk. As long as I have you, I’m happy.”

  “You think that’s why I’m asking you?”

  “You’re worried about me. You’re very sweet.”

  “I’m not sweet. I’m a man with an obsession. You’ve gotten away from me twice before. And I never want to lose you again.”

  She looks thoughtful. “I’ll make you a deal. Let’s take some time and let things settle. Then I want you to ask me again.”

  “Deal. That gives me time to plan a more romantic proposal. If I want to lock this thing down, I guess I’m going to need that orchestra and the fireworks. And a diamond big enough to blind anyone who gets near you.”

  She snuggles closer. “You know I don’t care about that. Although…”

  “What?” I lean back to find her watching me closely.

  “I just have to admit that you being wealthy isn’t entirely a bad thing. You should have never told me about your place in Milan, you know. I’ve always wanted to go there. You’ll never get rid of me now.”

  “Good. I don’t want to.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

  “Then can we go to Milan? And Tuscany, because it looks so pretty in the movies. Oh, and I definitely have to see Rome, too.”

  Holding her close, I kiss her lips and then her neck. “Anything you want is yours, my love. All you have to do is ask.”

  the answer

  * * *

  I’m still that guy.

  No, really. I am. Being with Cassandra hasn’t changed me, not in the sense that people usually expect. I’m still living a charmed life. Trips around the world, fast cars and yes, even faster women.

  Except now those women all know that my heart belongs to the woman by my side.

  Casey accompanies me on most of my business trips now. She made the decision to take some time off while she finishes her degree. I know it made her uncomfortable to put so much trust in us, but being with me isn’t the kind of thing you can do halfway. She’s proven to me that she’s
in it all the way. We’re a team.

  And I have no problem admitting that she’s the best part of the team.

  She has elevated me. Refined me. Made me more myself than I’ve ever been. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said I didn’t care what anyone thought of me.

  But I did.

  There’s an expectation that you have to obtain certain things to have a good life. But money, status and power aren’t the only things that matter and aren’t even the things that make us happy.

  For me, it’s her.

  Because thanks to her, I no longer feel the need to seek validation. Interesting, isn’t it? That the side effect of being so completely and perfectly loved would be confidence.

  Not that I need any more of that, right?

  Casey tells me I’m still arrogant. But I still can’t figure out why that’s a bad thing. Clearly I’m pretty damn amazing to convince the most beautiful girl in the world that I’m worthy of her. There are days I still wake up and wonder when she’ll finally discover that she can do better. Then she kisses me and nothing else matters.

  That’s the secret I was looking for all along. I kept searching for the meaning of life, trying to understand what the point of it all was. But the answer is the simplest thing in the world.

  The point isn’t to have the highest net worth. Or to be the most successful. Or to have the most stuff. No matter how many cars I buy or pieces of property I own, none of it matters.

  That’s what my father was trying to tell me all those years ago. Finding the right person, the right puzzle piece, doesn’t change you. It just completes the picture. I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to be perfect for her. And the reward for figuring it out is getting to spend the rest of your life with someone who loves you exactly as you are.

  That’s why I’m here.

  Haven’t you figured it out yet? That’s why we’re all here.

  Now you know.

  Epilogue

  * * *