I lift my cup covering my grin. “There’s a little more to it.”
“Oh, please. It’s not like I need measurements or anything, but boss lady, you wouldn’t be floating into work every morning if it were a little.” His eyebrows waggle with his last two words.
“That’s not what I mean. Besides the Disney education, Trevor is doing more. He’s keeping me sane.”
“If sanity is all we’re discussing, I think I should have a little credit.”
“Okay, you get a little.” My brows do the same dance as his. “Trevor gets a big part of the credit.”
Stephen’s head shakes. “I’m more than happy to continue this with the penis innuendos. However, you and I...” He motions between us. “What we have is bigger than that, and I’d be happy to give you a list of references who will attest to this...” He motions to himself. “Is not a little, nor do I take—”
“Whoa! Way too much information.”
“Tell me about Trevor’s part in your sanity?”
I shrug. “For the first time, I understand the dream. I can see it. And I want it all. I want the relationship that comes with simple things like making someone’s favorite meal. I also want the career where I’m appreciated and feel essential.”
“So he made you pizza?”
“No,” I say with a giggle. “He made me chicken tacos.”
“With guacamole?”
“Yes. He called Kimbra and asked what I liked to eat besides pizza.”
“So,” Stephen says, “you have a nice guy. That career appreciation thing... would that be like in juniors?”
“I don’t know. I was completely satisfied there until this opportunity came along. It was all so fast. The call, the flight. Boom, we were here. It’s been a whirlwind. I don’t know if it’s being back here that I was excited about or if it was more the idea of moving to lingerie. I want the career and the relationship. The thing is that I don’t want to compromise one for the other.”
“Has he asked you to compromise?” Stephen asks.
“No. Trevor would never do that.”
Stephen looks down at his watch. “We need to get back. I just wanted to be sure you didn’t want to go upstate with me. I’m taking the four o’clock train.”
“I think I’ll stay here and assess the mess that is my life.”
“Assessing is good. I’ve been doing some of that.”
We gather our plates and cups, throwing them into the nearest trash bin. “What are you assessing?”
“How about I keep you posted?”
“Now I’m curious.”
“That’s good. The next time Witch Vicky gets you all bothered, think about my secret. Don’t let her have all of your attention.”
I nod as we turn onto Fifth Avenue. “I have a secret too.” Before he can question, I go on, “I received a call from Neil today.”
“Neil Butler? In London?”
“Yes, our other boss. He asked about you.”
Stephen shakes his head. “Oh no. You and me, we’re a team.”
“You could do it, Stephen. You were amazing in juniors. You understand the styles and clients. Your predictions are spot on. The designers love you and so do the models. I’d be a fool to think I’m not where I am because of you.”
“Stop it, Shana. We stay here in New York together, or we go back to London together. We’re a package.”
This time I reach out to him, taking his hand in mine. “Thank you, Stephen. I really don’t hate you.”
“Oh, boss lady, I know.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Trevor
“You and Shana Price?” Max says with a shit-eating grin as he smiles at me over his glass of bourbon. “I guess that means you won the bet, her being one of the models and all. Hell, I can’t believe I didn’t recognize her.”
“You really didn’t?”
“No, not until later. I think it’s that thing where someone is out of context. I wasn’t expecting to see her here, much less onstage wearing a negligee.”
My mind goes back to that moment. I understand what he means. I was flabbergasted and shocked all at once when I realized it was her. Then again, I think she was the most beautiful woman on the stage. I’m surprised that every man’s vision didn’t immediately gravitate to her.
“So how much do I owe you?”
I wave my hand. “No one won, and meeting up again with Shana had nothing to do with a bet.”
“Fair is fair,” he says.
“We all chipped in. Everything is even. Besides, the gamble would have been less if we’d just have stayed at my apartment as I suggested in the first place.”
“Your apartment used to be Eric’s too, and that’s not exactly bachelor-party excitement. And...” Max’s voice trails a bit. “…two bedrooms and four men. That scenario only works with a different crowd.” He leans back against the bar and surveys the room. “Not that I’m on the hunt for that crowd.”
I’m not exactly sure what he means, and I don’t know if I want to know. Before I can respond, he speaks again.
“She’s a fiery one.”
His assessment of Shana makes me smile. “What can I say? I like to be burned.”
“Well, that little tirade she gave me the other night...you’ll be in for worse from Stephen if you hurt her.”
“Apparently, according to my brother, Stephen would need to stand in line. My sister-in-law will also kick my ass.”
Max shakes his head. “Man, you’re on a hit list.”
“Only if my intention is to hurt Shana, and it’s not.”
Max shrugs as he turns back toward the bar and reaches for his glass of bourbon. After swishing the contents for what seems like too long, he mumbles something about intentions and how they can be misconstrued.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m no expert at relationships, but all that bullshit people spew about communication…there might be something to it.”
“Umm. Okay. Hey, I’m not trying to change the subject,” I say, doing exactly the opposite of what I said.
“Yes, you are. Go ahead.”
“I was surprised when your firm said you were still the contact here in the city. I thought you were leaving after the bachelor party.”
“That had been my plan. But you’re right. I’m not here as a friend but as an investment specialist. I almost forgot this is a business meeting.” He looks at his watch. “Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?”
I pull out my iPad and bring it to life. “This proposal has been out to...”
While I feel a little guilty talking to Max without letting Shana or Stephen know that he’s still in town, this really is a business meeting. When I contacted Max’s firm to question what was happening with a proposal I’d generated, I never expected to see Max.
I’d said goodbye to him, Matt, and Eric on the Sunday morning after the party.
We’d managed to keep Shana’s little blowup away from Eric. Through it all, the groom-to-be seemed to have a good time. Less than a month to go and he’ll officially be a married man. The wedding is a destination thing with an exclusive guest list of his and Cynthia’s family. Last weekend was our time for his friends to be together to send him into the world of matrimony with memories.