He needed her! Wanting to be part of him again, she agreed. “Of course I’ll help you.”
Erin’s house parties were reported to be among the best in L.A., and now the place was decked out for her July 4th celebration in an understated, cool, but sophisticated style, reflecting the taste level expected from Grey Dog.
California Chandon sparkling wine flowed, along with Monkey Paw Brewing Company’s pale ale. Erin was never traditional, and tonight was no different. She wore a Vivienne Westwood black, asymmetrical, draped dress with plunging V in front to reveal her dragon tattoo and black and silver stingray four-and-a-half-inch gladiator sandals. She could barely walk, but damn they looked hot.
She’d booked a live cover band with saxophone, keyboard, drums, and guitars to play a varied mix of favorites, rather than having a DJ. She was pleased, knowing her choice for music was ideal. Guests were dancing to the classic R.E.M. song, “Losing My Religion.” When Nico arrived, several heads turned, and Erin couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t seen him in a while. She’d been away at Cannes Lions, then he’d messaged her a few times from Mexico. He usually wore distressed jeans and a black T-shirt, but tonight he had on aqua-green slim-cut trousers, cuffed slightly at the bottom, with Japanese print espadrilles, a tight, V-neck white T-shirt that showed off his six pack underneath, and a blue-black linen blazer with the sleeves pushed up. A single long strand of Buddha prayer beads hung around his tanned neck. She liked his central-casting European model image choice, complete with appropriately layered silver, woven, and beaded bracelets on both wrists. He had his hair slicked back off his face, accentuating his prominent brow. Erin wondered if he thought he was dressing for the holiday festivities, but nevertheless, he was the hottest-looking guru at the party. Several women greeted him as he made his way to the bar to pick up a glass of Chandon.
When Nico saw Erin, he paused to look her up and down. Then they exchanged the traditional double-cheek kiss. “Erin, you look absolutely daring tonight,” he purred.
She replied with a bewitching smile, fingering his long beads. “And you, my dear, look like a GQ ad!”
As if on cue, the band began playing Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and, breaking out his air guitar, Nico sang along.
Erin laughed out loud and spun around on her heels with the refrain, Whoa, oh, oh, oh, sweet child o’ mine. “Let’s go mingle, Axl Rose!” she chirped, taking Nico by the hand. Dragging him into the mix of people, she made introductions to some of her powerful friends and clients along the way.
Later, Nico and Ted were discussing the Gold Fountain account, brainstorming ideas for the Beauty at Any Age campaign, and Ted’s eyes were glazing over as Nico droned on about cleansing Hucha, heavy energy. Thankfully, Jacob Kafka arrived and provided a welcome interruption. Ted reached out his hand to shake Jacob’s, saying, “Congratulations, on the award.”
Jacob modestly deflected the attention toward Nico. “I see you’re speaking to the master of energy medicine.”
Jacob embraced Nico warmly, then said, “I hear from Erin the three of us have a new project together for Gold Fountain.”
Ted nodded. “Yes. As a matter of fact, Nico was just explaining some concepts to me, but I’m afraid I’m going to need a tutorial!”
Nico laughed. “Then come to Amaru next week, both of you, and I’ll conduct a San Pedro ceremony. That will literally blow your mind.”
Erin sidled up to Nico, taking his strong bicep between her hands. She gave Jacob a friendly kiss, then pulled Nico away with her apologies. “Nico, I need you to come meet Dr. Patricia Gold, the founder of Gold Fountain. I proposed you be the face in the campaign for Beauty at Any Age, but she’s the one to impress with your magical, mysterious charm!”
After being introduced, Dr. Gold dove right in, “So, Nico, tell me about yourself.”
Erin was pleased at the million-dollar smile Nico flashed as he said, “Well, the most important thing is that, like you, I help people regain their youth and vitality. You do it on the outside, and I do it from the inside!”
Dr. Gold returned the smile, and Nico continued, “I learned about energy healing and shamanism by living with the paqos in the Andes. And I taught yoga in Kerala, India. Combining the two practices gives me an advantage.”
Dr. Gold listened intently, asking only a few questions; she was really listening to his velvety voice and the passion he held for his work.
When Nico paused to take a drink, Dr. Gold asked, “How did you decide to combine those two practices?”
He launched right in, “Those two areas aren’t really different at all. I’m sure you know, Dr. Gold, that all matter in the universe is connected. With the paqos, I learned to listen to the spirit in all things around us to help me diagnose someone’s particular disorder. I use both together to quickly cleanse people of heavy energy and move the prana—the life-force—upward through the chakras.” Nico held Dr. Gold captivated with his warmth and interesting explanation.
When Erin returned, Dr. Gold turned to her, “Well, Erin, I must say I really like the idea of my company nourishing from the outside while Nico does the same from the inside. Can we have a meeting—all of us,” she nodded toward Nico, “next week in your office?”
Erin grinned. “Absolutely. I’ll have Melissa call to find a mutually convenient time.”
“Fine,” Dr. Gold replied. “And now, much as I hate to, I must go. I have another engagement.”
She turned to Nico and extended her hand. “Nicolás, it was very nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
Nico gazed intently into her warm, brown eyes. “Patricia,” he purred softly as he kissed the back of her hand, “The pleasure was all mine.”
Dr. Gold caught her breath. “Until we meet again.”
After she’d left, Erin rolled her eyes. “Nico, be careful with Patricia. She’s a smart woman, and she’ll know she’s being played.”
He feigned sincerity. “Why would you think I’m playing her? I was being sweet—for you.”
Erin shook her head. “Come dance with me. I love this song!”
The band was playing “Walkin’ on the Sun” by Smash Mouth, and Nico burst out laughing when he realized the lyrics. “It figures! This is your song for sure, Erin!” He swiped another glass of bubbly from a passing waiter as they danced their way across the deck.
Nico didn’t greet her with the double-cheek kiss she’d come to expect. Instead, pointing to his desk, he gruffly ordered her to straighten up, starting with the mail. “You are going to have to prove yourself, Luna. You betrayed me.”
Without contesting, she solemnly sorted the unopened mail and gathered together the crumpled receipts that were strewn all over his desk. Nico was laying on his bed, one eye on the television while texting with someone. Her back was to him. Unfolding the receipts, she ironed them out with her hand and made a separate pile. Several were from Tulum, but she dared not comment. He was in no mood, and she had lost his favor. “Don’t be nosy, Luna!” he bellowed from the other room.
She jumped. The callous tone of his voice was alarming, sending a wave of anxiety through her like a charge of electricity. “I’m not. I’m just organizing things nicely for you.” Though she attempted to sound unruffled, her voice cracked slightly from suffering the pain of his rude indifference to her.
Luna had initially defended herself, but Nico had made a convincing case that she was jealous, and she began to question her intentions. She had missed him a great deal during his relationship with Sofia. However, the Nico she had back now wasn’t the same. But he was right about at least one thing—she should never have welcomed Sofia’s confessions. Now she was desperately trying to regain his trust and affection.
Stepping into the apartment, she let him know she’d completed her tasks and that she was leaving. His eyes still on the television, he was curt, “Where are you going?”
“Home. I finished.”
“Straighten up the apartment.�
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She felt like bolting, mortified at the thought of what Tyler would say if he saw her obsequiously laboring as Nico’s maid and allowing him to treat her with such disrespect. Tears welled in her eyes as feelings of humiliation mixed with sadness and remorse for betraying him overwhelmed her.
While she was cleaning his apartment, she stole glances at him preparing dinner in the kitchen, wielding the chef’s knife with skill. He worked intently, his strong neck bent swan-like over the cutting board and hair spilling forward over his eyes.
When she was done, she put her tote bag on her shoulder and said meekly, “I finished, Nico, I’m gonna go…”
“Do you want to stay for dinner?”
Welcoming his sudden congeniality, she didn’t hesitate to answer, “Sure.”
Still feeling like she was walking on eggshells, she set two places at the coffee table with placemats and cloth napkins, then poured two glasses of wine. He dished up two plates of roasted chicken with rice and beans—her favorite. There was something about his rice and beans that made them more delicious than any restaurant she’d ever been to. Unexpectedly, he lit a candle and sat down next to her on the sofa, leg to leg. Afraid to breach the precarious peace, Luna remained silent as they ate.
Then he surprised her again by saying, “I’m sorry I’ve been in such a bad mood. Thank you for helping me today.”
Luna nodded and smiled, saying nothing for fear of setting him off. He seemed to soften, but she suspected he was testing her. She would have to remain patient, and hopefully he would warm up to her again.
After dinner, he played the guitar. Luna tucked her feet under herself and was listening when she noticed a hardcover picture book on the coffee table and pulled it over to page through. The book was filled with pictures of Nico with Alexa Morgan; so, out of curiosity, she paged back to read the foreword. Written there was a dedication, “To Nico. Love, Alexa.” Luna continued paging through, looking at the pictures of them on the beach, on a boat, doing yoga, having cocktails—all in Tulum, Mexico. What the fuck? But she pretended it was just an ordinary book and kept looking without commenting. When she got to the end, she looked up at Nico.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he cautioned. “Alexa is my client, and we went to Tulum on business. All the movie stars go there for Reiki and yoga, and she thinks it’s a good idea for me to have a presence there. We met with investors and I had private sessions with celebrities who paid a lot of money. She said I can charge thousands of dollars for the San Pedro and despacho ceremonies.”
Luna didn’t say anything, just closed the book and pushed it away dismissively, like spoiled food.
His attempt to mollify surprised her. “Luna, don’t worry. I’m the busiest I’ve ever been. All these things are happening for me. I’ve been using the documentary for promotion and that’s going great, and Alexa has guaranteed me a movie part with a big director. She’s a client and a business partner, like an agent.”
Luna nodded, but her displeasure was apparent.
Nico smiled persuasively. “I need you to design a line of yoga clothes to sell at the studio in Tulum and the new center in Beverly Hills. Everything is on track for me to become a celebrity brand.”
She put her head on his shoulder the way she always used to, and though she thought he flinched, she stayed close. She wasn’t sure how much of what he’d spouted was real and how much was his pipe dreams. But she was encouraging, “I’m so glad for you, Nico. It’s all happening, just as you dreamed it would.” She paused, then added, “Just be careful what you wish for.”
He pulled away, looking at her reproachfully, as if he sensed she didn’t entirely believe him. “What do you mean, Luna?”
Remaining calm, she said sweetly, “I mean that people think it’s great to be rich and famous—a celebrity. But I work with celebrities every day, and just because they earn millions and have adoring fans doesn’t mean they’re happy. Money and fame are no guarantee of happiness; that’s all I’m saying.”
To her relief, Nico nodded in agreement, seeing she was speaking philosophically and not judging him. “I know, Luna. But I’m only one person, here in this little studio in L.A. with a tiny apartment in the back. I want more than this.”
Encouraged by his explanation, she went on, “I know you do, Nico, and I understand. But you need to prepare yourself for the pressures that come with celebrity status. Don’t think it’s easy. An awful lot of people want a piece of you, and you never know who your friends are.”
Nico squeezed her thigh. “I know you are my friend.”
She returned his smile, and he added, “Just please be here for me and help me. I can handle it if I have your help.”
Luna put her head back on his shoulder, and in a soft, consoling voice, said, “I love you, Nico. Of course I’ll help you…and be there for you in every way I can.”
He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to remind her, “Don’t ever betray me again, Luna. Next time, I won’t forgive you.”
17
Sam and two assistants were lining up the wardrobe, and new talent filed in hourly for fittings. Luna left her laptop open so when she had a few minutes she could work on Nico’s business plan. She’d been researching the yoga industry, as well as Reiki and energy healing, yet Nico was driving her crazy asking why she hadn’t finished yet. Picking up a call from him, she snapped, “Nico, I’m working as quickly as I can. This is a lot of work!”
He sniffed, “Don’t exaggerate just to make it seem like a big deal. It should take a couple of hours. You’re just bullshitting to waste time.”
Infuriated, she barked back, “Well then, would you rather do it yourself?”
Harshly, Nico snapped, “Luna, don’t start, or you’ll be very sorry.”
At her wits’ end, she sobbed, “Nico, please don’t speak to me that way. I’m working very hard to make this right.”
He sighed, “OK. Just keep working on it and keep me posted.”
Only a couple of minutes after they’d hung up, he texted her to put in pictures—lots of pictures—of him throughout.
Luna texted back:
We can add them later.
Moments later, her phone rang and bracing herself, she answered. Without pausing for hello, Nico yelled, “Do as I say! I want the pictures in there now—so I can see them!”
His obsessive demands were giving Luna a stomachache.
When he then demanded she come by after work so he could review her progress, she balked, “Nico, I can’t stay long. I have plans this evening.” But he had already hung up.
At Amaru, after waiting in Nico’s office for him to finish a class, Luna poked her head into the room to signal him. He finished chatting with a pretty young student before brushing past her, annoyed. “Don’t ever do that jealous number, Luna. I’m working and these are my students. They already think you’re blowing me!” he said brusquely.
She gaped, “Nico, that’s disgusting! I’m certain they don’t think that!”
“Well, Erin and Alexa think so. Erin asked me the other day, ‘Is Luna still in love with you?’”
She let his snide comment drop. “I don’t have much time; Tyler’s waiting for me. Can we please review this project?”
Sitting down, Nico started reading, bouncing his leg rapidly. Luna pushed on his thigh to stop him, as she had done in the past, but this time Nico glared at her. She was taken aback, “What’s the matter, Nico? Why are you behaving this way toward me? I’m helping you.”
He pushed back. “You’re taking too long, and people are waiting for this. It will be your fault if I lose this opportunity. This all should have been done months ago. You think this is a game? Take off your jacket! You aren’t going anywhere!”
Luna was incredulous, “What do you mean?” When he didn’t reply, she protested, “I have to leave now. You can read this tonight, and I’ll come back to review it with you tomorrow morning and I can work all day on Saturday. Tonight I have plans with Tyler.”
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br /> She moved to stand up, but Nico grabbed her elbow roughly. “Luna! I said you…are…not…going…anywhere!”
Panicking, Luna’s voice rose several octaves, “Tyler will be furious. This isn’t right! I can do it tomorrow. Why do you always want me in trouble with Tyler?”
Softening his tone a notch, Nico cajoled, “Luna, I’m your friend and I need you. And as a friend, I need you tonight, not tomorrow.” His voice took on a darker tone. “So you call Tyler and tell him your friend needs you tonight.” He paused to let her absorb his command. “Besides, you owe me. If it wasn’t for me, you never would have won that award. If you don’t stay and help me, then walk out that door and never come back.”
Luna froze. There had been times in the past when Nico had persuaded her to stay, saying he needed her. But this time she was frightened—he wasn’t persuading, he was demanding. Squelching her fear, she tried to steady her voice. “Nico, please,” she begged, “I promise to come and work tomorrow. I don’t want to piss Tyler off.”
Nico was cold and uncompromising. “I want you to do it NOW. This project is already late. Are you telling me dinner with friends is more important than my business—and our friendship?” He let the implied threat hang in the air for a few moments. “Because that’s what you make it sound like.”
Luna trembled, knowing Tyler would be angry. He already resented the amount of time she devoted to Nico. But having almost lost Nico, Luna had to prove herself or risk losing him forever. Relenting, she steadied herself and called Tyler. “Honey, something’s come up. Nico needs the proposal I’ve been working on for a meeting tomorrow. I didn’t get a chance to finish and didn’t realize it was late. So I really need to stay. I’m so sorry, but can we please cancel our dinner plans?”
She held her breath. Tyler answered in a measured way, “I’ll cancel our plans, but I’m not happy. This is wrong, and you have to think about what you’re doing to our relationship. Let me know when you’re coming home.” Then he abruptly hung up.
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