Page 95 of Fake it For Good
“You think she seduced you?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Why would she need to seduce you?” he asked. “You were paying her regardless. I’m not trying to be a dick, but I’m just pointing out the facts.”
“You know, she wasn’t the girl Della chose for me,” I said. “It was Noelle’s friend. But they thought because Noelle knew more about toys, she would be a better fit.”
“And wasn’t she?”
“Yes, she knows toys, but I think she saw an opportunity,” I said. “She knew she would be required to go to the party with other toy industry people. She asked me if I would be okay with her talking about her nonprofit. I thought it was a good idea, but she didn’t ask me until after we had slept together. She softened me. I told her about the divorce. She knew I was in a vulnerable position.”
“Let me get this straight,” he said and leaned forward. “Didn’t you tell me you went to her hotel room that first night?”
“Yes.”
“And then you invited her to your house,” he went on. “Not for anything work related. There wasn’t going to be anyone there for her to network with. She went there to be with you. Not once, twice. Two times she went out there.”
“Three if we’re being technical,” I muttered.
“Dude.” He shook his head. “You’re fucking this up.”
“Maybe, but it’s over. I’ve already sent the money. It’s done.”
He slapped the armrests. “Alright, then. Your mind is made up. For the record, you’re an idiot. I’ve got to get some work done. If you pull your head out of your ass, let me know.”
He walked out of my office. My head was not in my ass. My eyes were wide open. This was for the best. It was time to move forward. When I came back from our time off, I was going to hit the ground running. I was going to be too busy with work to deal with a relationship. I had a feeling Noelle was also going to be very busy. If even half the contacts worked out, she was going to have her hands full. We both got what we wanted.
I grabbed my phone and ran my thumb over the screen. I pulled up my contacts list. Her name stared back at me. I pushed on it and then hit the delete button. It was over. There was no point in keeping her number.
The deletion of her name from my phone hit me hard. It was just a number, but it felt like so much more. It felt like I was cutting off an arm. I took a moment to get myself together. If one saw their life flashing before their eyes just before death, I saw my very brief relationship with Noelle flash before me in a series of clips.
I slid my thumb up and found the number for the Faux’s Agency. I had lied. I didn’t send the money yet. I knew the moment I did, it was over. I cleared my throat and made the call. After giving the okay to release the payment, I put the phone away and tried to focus on my work.
34
NOELLE
It was cold. Freezing really. The shitty radiator in my apartment worked half-ass on a good day. I was glad the place was small. I would never be able to afford to heat the place. I was under my blankets and had no desire to get out of bed. I wanted to stay in bed forever.
Last night, I had gotten home, stripped out of the dress, and jumped right in bed. I was heartbroken. He had taken me by such surprise. I could still feel the sting. He’d been a different man. He accused me of using him, but I was the one that felt used. I spent a long, sleepless night replaying everything we had ever talked about.
I believed him. I bought his story. Now, all of it was being called into question. Did I fall for a line? I didn’t want to believe it, but I was naïve to the world of men and manipulation. I had dated, but nothing serious. I was naturally jaded and skeptical of most people. I didn’t trust easily. I couldn’t get my head around the idea that Cane had lied to me. He had played me. Why would he manipulate me to get me into bed? The guy could have anyone he wanted. He didn’t have to shower me with pretty words.
“Such a fool,” I groaned. “Such a fool.”
My phone rang on the nightstand. For some stupid reason, I hoped it would be Cane. Then I didn’t want it to be Cane. I didn’t want to talk to him. But I did. I reached for the phone without taking my head out from under the covers. The brightness of the screen hurt my eyes.
“Shit,” I groaned. It was the agency. It was likely a complaint. I was probably fired. Like fired for good. I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to go out on another date. I didn’t care. I was done with that whole business.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Noelle,” Della said in her usual cheery voice.
“Hi, Della.”
“I’d like to have you come in so we can go over the final contract,” she said. “Do you have time to come in before the holidays?”
I was lying in bed. That was my big plan for the day. I would say that meant I had some free time. “Sure. I can be there in an hour.”
