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Ho, is that the diamond princess?
Where can I get those shorts? And that shirt combo?
OMG. Billie Calloway is a fashion icon without even trying.
Is she smirking? Whoa.
Never seen her happier.
I shake my head, pushing it away, feeling like I might throw up. There are thousands of comments, and it was posted forty minutes ago.
“This is bad. This is the worst-case scenario.”
My thoughts start to spiral. With one post, Asher officially unraveled my and Louis’s fake relationship.
Harper sits in the chair in front of my desk. “I think this is the best thing that could’ve ever happened to us. The shorts you werewearing are a part of our spring line. We sold out ofeverysize in yellow.”
“What?” I look at her, puzzled. “We couldn’tgivethose shorts away.”
“Seems like you’re the magic. And Asher. We’re not through our financial issues, but we should end this quarter much higher than we forecast, which is a start. Maybe we really can turn this around? You’re a genius. This is actually working,” she states. She waves her hand in front of my face as I zone out. “Are you still with me?”
“I’m sorry. I’m shocked, and I’m livid. I didn’t do this. I can’t take credit for this. Right now, I don’t have control of the situation, Harp. That scares me,” I admit. “This will hurt Louis and anger Josh. Why would Banks do this? He’s trying to destroy everything,” I growl, standing. “Ihatehim so much!”
She’s looking at me, confused. “Hate? After this photo?”
“Especiallyafter that photo.” I remember what followed after—how he had my body begging for him. I would’ve given him every part of me.
I glance over my shoulder at his office. The lights are dark, and his computer is off. The sign he hung last week is still securely in place. And of course, he’s conveniently late.
“I need to speak to him. Right now.”
“Let it be,” she says. “It will all work out. But I do have one question. Who took the picture? Brody?” she asks.
I huff. “Nosy Mrs. Chambers stepped off the elevator as I was telling Banks to go fuck himself after I learned he purchased the loft across from mine!”
Her mouth falls open, and her eyes are as wide as saucers. “Asher owns that loft? He’s your neighbor?”
“When I watched him leave my place and unlock that door, I realized he owned it. I lost my shit, and Mrs. Chambers snapped a photo of the aftermath to prove a point, apparently,” I explain, understanding the optics of how this looks. I almost hyperventilate. “No one will believe that I’m with Louis after this! I wouldn’t be surprised if Banks had set this entire photo up with her.”
“He does seem to know you really well.”
My nostrils flare. “Fuck Asher Banks!”
Harper gives me a cheesy grin. “I would.”
“Shut up,” I tell her, placing my head on my desk. “I don’t know how to fix this. What are my options other than going into hiding until the Lustre contract expires?”
She chuckles. “All you have to do is make Asher uncomfortable.”
“Impossible,” I mutter. “He has no boundaries.”
“Heactslike he has no boundaries, but everyone has a limit, a weakness, even him. Just live in the moment, B. Take the punches and start saying yes to situations instead of no. The spotlight is on you.”
“That’s the part I don’t like. Necessary evil.”
Harper stands with a grin. “You’ve got this, boss.”
“Wedo. I won’t let you down, Harp.”