Page 66 of Wicked Angel
“How did you leave your relationship with JC? I mean, personally.”
“I don’t know. Neutral.”
“Neutral? As in…”
“As in our relationship doesn’t exist anymore.”
“That doesn’t sound neutral.”
“Call it what you want.”
Okay; moving on. “Any other affairs I should know about? Of a recent or highly inflammatory nature?”
He just stared at me. I could tell I was irritating him. Putting him through what he probably felt was an inquisition, in his own kitchen. He hadn’t even sat down, just stood across the island from me like he wasn’t relaxed enough to sit down.
He was on guard. I couldn’t blame him.
I was being rather nosey.
“I’m not your little sister’s friend right now, okay?” I told him. “And I’m really not that much younger than you, if it makes you feel better. I’m your publicist. Get used to me asking you questions. I’m not pulling any punches because you’re my best friend’s brother. You’re my client, and you need to know you can trust me with your private business. At least, any of it that I should know. And I’d like to be informed if you’re keeping a bunch of rotting skeletons stuffed in the closet that could be unearthed at any moment.”
“No skeletons,” he said flatly. “Not a serial killer either, just so you know.”
“Great. So, no other affairs?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”
“I talk when I have something to say.” I took a sip of my water, giving him a moment, but he still didn’t answer the question. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you prefer women who just sit around looking pretty and saying nothing at all?”
“Yeah,” he muttered, taking a sip of his water. “Maybe.”
“Well, there’s a word for that. It’s called furniture. I’m a sentient being with a mouth. Get used to it.”
His aquamarine gaze went straight to my mouth.
I quickly kept talking. “So, affairs?”
“No.”
“Specific people you’ve perhaps wronged or had major issues with in the past, who may be looking to kick you, publicly, while you’re down?”
I half-expected him to say,Where do I start?
But instead he just said, “None that I can think of. Why?”
“Helps me to know who and what to look out for. On that note, any long buried arrests, convictions, lawsuits, or secret babies I should know about?”
“And why would you need to know about that?”
“Damage control. These things, celebrity scandals, have a way of blowing up. Escalating. First, a scandal breaks, then another blemish on the celebrity’s past comes to light, then another, and before you know it, skeletons pouring out everywhere. Plus, I’m sure Shayla would want to know if she’s a secret auntie.” I kept a straight face, waiting for his response to that.
He replied with a similarly straight face. “No criminal record and no babies. That I know of.”
“Great. Any other dark secrets from your past?”
He looked away so quickly I couldn’t even read the expression in his eyes. When he met mine again, his face was carefully blank.
But he didn’t answer me.
