Asher would give anything for Derek to have chosen someone else for this job, but as he’d pointed out, Asher had the home on the island. And a promise was a promise. Even if this trip was guaranteed to be the longest of his life.
Chapter Two
While Nikki packed for the beach and waited for Derek to return, her cell phone rang. Wary, she glanced at the device, seeing the one friend she had in the modeling world’s name flash on the screen.
She answered on the second ring. “Hi, Meg.”
“Girl, what is going on with you?” Meg yelled into the phone. “The whole world has seen your ass.”
Nikki winced. Though Meg could be crass and blunt, she was the only one nice to Nikki when they were surrounded by other models. The rest had labeled Nikki a diva, and her life on the runway was basically a version of Mean Girls. More and more, Nikki wanted out of the life she’d chosen out of necessity, but now wasn’t the time to think that far into the future.
“Can you not remind me about what the world has seen?” Paranoid, she looked around her bedroom and pulled down the shade.
“Don’t worry about anything. Knowing you, you’ll make lemonade out of this mess.”
Nikki rolled her eyes and packed a few more bathing suits. “You seem to think my life is charmed. I can assure you it’s not.”
Meg snorted and Nikki ignored the sound. Meg went on discussing the mean comments on the sites showing the photos, all the while assuring Nikki things would pass. The beautiful blonde had grown up poor and arrived in Manhattan with nothing more than a backpack and a dream of being a model. She’d chosen the last name, Cologne, for her career, hoping it would make her stand out. Nikki considered Meg lucky she hadn’t met the wrong person before finding a job at an independent clothing store whose owner had friends in the right places.
A knock sounded on her door and Nikki froze. “I have to go.”
“Call me and tell me what you plan on doing about this mess,” Meg said before Nikki disconnected the call.
She tiptoed to her door and peeked through the peephole, to see it was her upstairs neighbor Winter Capwell, with her dog, Panda, a black and white Havanese, by her side. Although Nikki didn’t know Winter well, they’d run into one another coming in and out of the building, and in the gym on the top floor. They’d exchanged numbers last week, agreeing to go for coffee one day soon.
Winter was a journalist, which immediately put Nikki on edge, and she hadn’t reached out to her as a friend for that reason alone. So far, all they’d talked about were streaming shows, books, and how much they both loved dogs. Nothing to set off alarm bells, but there was always the chance that Winter’s interest in friendship was really an attempt to get close to Nikki for other reasons. With Nikki’s sudden notoriety, she worried the other woman had a hidden agenda for showing up now.
Nikki kept the chain on and opened the door. “Hi,” she said, glancing at her neighbor.
Winter was dressed in workout clothes, tight leggings and a cropped top, her long dark hair, similar to Nikki’s, in a ponytail. She was probably coming from or heading out for a dog walk.
“What’s up?” Nikki asked.
Winter’s eyes softened as she took in Nikki’s obviously wary gaze.
“You saw the photos?” she asked. Because why else would Winter be here?
The other woman nodded. “I thought maybe you wanted company?”
“Really?” Nikki asked, her sarcasm heavy.
“Honestly. Off the record. Nothing you say will go beyond us. I just thought maybe you could use a friend.”
Winter’s warm tone and honest expression got to her. The sweet gesture caused Nikki’s eyes to fill with unexpected tears. With that one sentence, Winter was kinder than her friend Meg had been.
Nikki undid the chain and stepped aside. “Come on in.”
Winter walked inside and Nikki locked the door again. “I’m sorry if I’m acting weird. I have trouble trusting people right now.”
“I understand, believe me.”
Nikki dropped down and petted the fluffy dog’s head. “How are you, Panda?”
The dog rolled over for a belly rub.
“We were going out for a walk when I decided to stop by,” Winter said.
Nikki rose and she led Winter to the sofa. They sat down beside each other, and Panda lay at her owner’s feet.
“Listen, I get that things are hard right now but it’ll blow over. These things always do.” Winter spoke with certainty.
“Thank you. I hope so.” Nikki wasn’t going to get into details about the photos or her fear. For one thing, she was still wary of giving a journalist information. And for another, there was no sense freaking out her neighbor about someone getting into her apartment.
“Is your family upset?” Winter asked.
Nikki narrowed her gaze. “Why are you asking?”
Winter sighed. “I didn’t mean anything by the question. Most parents would be worried about their children if someone tried to exploit them.”
Nikki shook her head. “You’re right. Sorry I jumped to conclusions.” Was it any wonder she didn’t have any good friends? Her brother had his tight-knit group of guys and she envied their closeness. No ulterior motives to be found. “I’m just tense.”
“Can I make you a cup of tea?” Winter offered.
Nikki shook her head and glanced down at her shaking hands. “I had coffee. That was obviously a mistake. What story are you currently working on?” she asked, eager to change the subject.
“I’m interviewing the partners of K-Talent Productions, Sasha and Xander Kingston, Cassidy Kingston, who’s taken on a bigger role, and Harrison Dare. As relatively new as they are to the movie and production business, they’re racking up awards and accolades. And their female-centric focus is of particular interest to me.”
Intrigued by the subject matter, Nikki leaned forward. “Really? I find the intricacies of what happens behind the scenes on a movie set fascinating. I wish I could learn more.”
It seemed more exciting than walking down a runway and showing off designer clothes. Not that she was knocking the career she’d been fortunate to cultivate so young in life or the other girls who loved it. Nikki was just interested in finding something different. Something more.
A rap sounded and she jumped, as did Panda. The dog began to bark and Winter shushed her. Nikki walked to the door and glanced through the peephole again.
“Derek,” she said, relieved. “It’s my brother.” She undid the locks again and Derek strode past her. “Did I hear a… dog?” His eyes fell to Winter and Panda.
“Derek, this is my neighbor, Winter Capwell. Winter, my brother, Derek Bettencourt.”
He narrowed his gaze. “I thought I said not to let anyone in?”
“You said no one I didn’t know. I know Winter.”
Winter’s smile was tight. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you’re looking out for your sister. I’m going to take the dog for her walk. Take care, Nikki. I’ll check on you soon.”
Nikki nodded. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Derek walked Winter out and locked up again before turning to Nikki.