Page 9 of Is It Casual Now?

nine

“All right, but if you have tequila, I’m out.” Tori chuckled and brushed a kiss on Siena’s cheek as she opened the door.

“I’m never living that down, am I?”

“It wasn’t just you.” Tori patted Siena’s back as she walked past, shutting the door behind them.

“Where’s Miranda and Rebel?” Siena asked as she sat down at the kitchen table.

“They’re over at Miranda's parents. Tierney and Miranda are trying to spend more time with them. Want wine?”

Siena laughed and nodded. What she actually wanted was something much stronger, but she also needed as clear a head as she could muster.

After a call to Tori, Siena had rung Aili. She’d called in a favor once Harley had fallen asleep. Aili would have preferred to have spent time with her goddaughter awake, but she was consoled with a home cooked meal and Siena owing her a favor.

“All right.” Tori slid one glass in front of Siena as she slipped into the chair opposite, her own still in her hand. “So spill. What’s going on? ”

“Where the hell do I start?”

“At the beginning.” Tori smiled, and Siena remembered how easy it was to let Tori be the person in her life to give her Harley. There wasn’t judgement or condescension, just open goodness that radiated.

“Some people like to be wined and dined, I like to be fajita’d and margarita’d.”

“What?” Tori sat back, eyes blinking in confusion.

Siena laughed. “That’s what Jamie said to me the first time I met her in person.”

“Jamie?” Tori raised an eyebrow in suspicion. “And if this involved margaritas which means tequila, then I think I know how this turned out.”

Fuck, her reputation really did precede her, didn’t it? Siena’s cheeks burned as she went into the complications and coincidences that had happened since she heard that god-awful pick-up line.

Tori sipped her wine. “Well, I have to admit. That’s an interesting situation you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“So,” Siena prodded. “Do I go ahead with this meeting tomorrow or not?”

“First…” Tori put the glass down carefully on the tabletop. This wasn’t going to be something Siena liked, she knew that much. “I need to ask some questions. Is that okay?”

“Yes.” Siena sighed. “It’s why I’m here. You’ve always been better at the life stuff. I mean look at you. You’ve not only made your business into a booming success, but you made your own dreams come true, despite the opposition you got from everyone—including me.”

“It’s just about being brave, Siena. You know that. But back on topic… I can’t help wondering why this woman has gotten under your skin so much.”

“Of course, she’s gotten under my skin. She writes trash that makes my life harder. And then just conveniently finds me in a bar and picks me up? And then her twin sister is teaching Harley?”

“It’s a load of coincidences, I get that. But you aren’t exactly known for your one-night stands.”

“So?” Siena’s defenses rose up, and she grasped for them.

“Well, there was obviously something about her that pulled you to her. Beyond the history in work lives that you didn’t even know you shared at that time.”

“Tequila! You said it.” Siena crossed her arms and glared at the wine on the table. Tequila would be nice right about now.

“Be truthful—and serious—right now. You need to hear it from yourself more than I do.”

Siena winced. She hated and loved when Tori called her out like that. “Fine. She’s beautiful and charming. No doubt it’s how she gets information she shouldn’t have access to and why she’s so damn good at her job.”

“Oh, now it’s information?” Tori picked up her wine glass and brought it to her lips. It didn’t fool Siena, who still saw the smile around the rim of the glass.

“What do you mean?”

“First you called it trash, now it’s information.” Tori waved her hand out in front of her, as if that would be enough of an explanation to get them to where they were going.

Siena groaned. Trust Tori to pick up on that.

“Fine. I haven’t found a lot of what she writes to be complete bullshit. And the stuff that is bullshit is always framed as questions or things she’s wondering. But she’s fucking with people’s lives. They have a right to their privacy—celebrity or not.”

“I know.” Tori nodded in agreement. “So despite the history and her sister teaching Harley, which by the way—I love Ms. K. She’s wonderful. And no wonder Jamie is getting under your skin if they really are identical. ”

“Only in looks,” Siena added, far too quickly. She gulped at her drink as though that would stop Tori from noticing.

“Yes.” Tori chuckled. Of course, she noticed. “So despite these things. Why wouldn’t you go to the meeting tomorrow? Wouldn’t it be better to have someone like that on your side instead of always fighting against them?”

“Not sure she has a side to get on, at least not one I could trust.” Siena tossed up the idea.

“Trust is just another brand of bravery.”

“Why did I come here again?” Siena smiled so Tori knew she was joking—or at least half joking.

“Just think about it, Siena. Having someone in the press on your side might come in handy in the long run. Especially if you’re telling me you haven’t read anything that was entirely bullshit.”

“No.” She hated this truth. It would be so much easier if Jamie had spouted unfounded shit. “I haven’t found any outright lies, but she uses her platform to plant the seeds.”

“Okay, sure.” Tori nodded. “But what if you gave her the right seeds to plant?”

“What?”

“Surely there’s something you could offer her?” Tori raised her eyebrows not subtly leading Siena down the path she obviously assumed made sense.

“No.” Siena shook her head. It might make sense on the outside, but there were so many more dynamics than people realized. “Giving her access to me is one thing. I’m not giving her access to Bunny and Piper.”

“Wouldn’t it be a positive thing to have the person who’s written so much bad speculation be the one to actually write a story of truth?”

“You’re assuming she can be trusted.”

“And you’re assuming she can’t. ”

Siena chuckled and shook her head as she looked down into the depths of her half-gone drink.

“What’s so amusing?” Tori asked, her lips in a soft smile though confusion filled her eyes.

“Just thinking no matter how much things change, I’m glad that some things remain the same.”

“Us bickering is a good thing that’s remained?”

“No. The fact we can have different opinions and not turn them into a screaming match.”

“I like that, too.” Tori smiled and sipped from her glass.

The silence was comforting until Tori brought the discomfort right to Siena’s face.

“So you are attracted to her still,” Tori said.

“Shouldn’t that be a question?” Siena wasn’t ready to admit that openly to anyone, not even herself yet.

“Definitely not.” Tori laughed. “So what do you plan to do about it?”

“I guess I’ll go tomorrow. Get this interview over with.”

“Not what I asked. And you know it.”

“Of course it is.” Siena smirked and breathed a sigh of relief as Tori rolled her eyes but let the conversation go. They talked a little longer, and by the time Siena left, she felt a little lighter. Not exactly better, but at least decided.

Sleep teased Siena all night. It never stayed long enough. She would wake again an hour or so after finally drifting off, feelings of control slipping away from her.

Tori had been right. Again.

With all the bad press Jamie had given to Bunny and Piper over the years, she would be the only one who could truly make a dent in any of those questions she had posed article after article .

It took Siena twice as long as normal to get ready. She changed out of her black pin-striped pencil suit and decided on loose black pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a vest. She kept debating on whether or not to take a jacket. Uncharacteristically running a little late, she grabbed the jacket off the hanger before she raced out of her front door. Well, she was late for her liking. She heard her mother’s voice in her head. If you aren’t ten minutes early, then you might as well be late.

The cozy cafe she had chosen was only a few blocks away from her place. Close enough for her to feel as though they were meeting on her own turf. But far enough away that it wasn’t Siena’s locale. And Jamie wouldn’t know precisely where she lived. The weather outside already promised to be a drizzly, bitter affair, which meant that winter would soon be upon them.

Siena looked down at her outfit and worried her bottom lip. Since when had she ever felt so concerned about what she wore when meeting the press? She scoffed at the thought as a rideshare pulled up. After getting inside, she settled into the back. Her mind wandered without her permission.

She had never willingly met with any sleazy journalist before. The only time she’d encountered them, it’d been unexpectedly at events where she had directed security to get her clients through safely. She’d met with real journalists all the time, but Siena wouldn’t classify Jamie as one of them.

Siena loved her job. There was a thrill in it. A rush she lived for. But it had never been her desire to be the face of anything.

Scoffing, she noticed the driver flicking his eyes to the rearview mirror and checking on her. She met his gaze and gave a small smile, cheeks warming with embarrassment. It always seemed such a private space in the back of a cab, too easy to slip into alone mode, when in reality you were still in public .

As far as she knew, her face had never been publicly circulated with her name. There were photos of her in the background. Not many but a few. But whatever deity, if any, that looked after the entertainment industry had found her worthy of remaining unrecognizable.

She mulled over this fact as the driver pulled up two shops away from the cafe. Siena could have kissed the grizzled man for not pushing for small talk as nerves already tingled beneath her skin. When Siena had started managing, she had been able to project confidence in public with an ease that had been lacking lately. She never struggled to remain professional or polite, but it didn’t fill her with the same excitement or energy it once had.

Not like the joy she got when helping a new artist get their foot further into their dreams. She enjoyed working one-on-one with her clients, even the more challenging ones. At least they helped her appreciate other clients. Especially the ones who had turned from client-only to also friends—like Bunny and Piper, and Siena sensed that was going to be no truer than this winter. Bunny was running Piper into the ground, and they were both exhausted and needed a really good break.

Stepping up to the door, Siena knew she had to force down the butterflies in her stomach and smother the tingling anticipation of sitting down with Jamie again. This wasn’t about her and Jamie.

She would put on her business face, and she would be the hard-ass manager she had become known as. They may not recognize her face, but she would be stupid to think many journalists in this town, or in any media reporting, wouldn’t recognize her name. Years and sacrifices, sweat and tears had gone into this outcome.

The bell above the door tingled as she pushed it open and stepped inside.

Like hell she would allow a moment of weakness to undo all that she had worked for. No matter how screwed up and complicated the moment was turning out to be.

The warmth of the cafe washed over her, and she took in a deep breath to center and settle herself. Her stomach grumbled as warm sugar and cinnamon from the pastry case joined the comforting aroma of coffee. She gave herself to the count of ten to indulge in the warm hug of the place before coming back to reality. Hopefully this meeting wouldn’t make it impossible for her to return and enjoy the ambience again.

When she opened her eyes, her manager mask was firmly fixed in place once more. This was a business meeting. And it had been more years than she cared to count since a business meeting had made her nervous. She wasn’t going to let this one change that record for her.

She spotted Jamie sitting with her back to the corner at a small round table that looked far too intimate to be for a business meeting. Despite her suddenly dry mouth and her need to lick her lips, Siena pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin ever so slightly. Each step sent a shock ricocheting up her legs, making her body tremble and heat pool between her thighs.

Business meeting! she reminded herself.

Though she couldn’t deny it would be a lot easier to focus on that point if Jamie didn’t look so deliciously sinful in that knitted green dress that rode up on her thick and squeezable thighs. Jamie stood as Siena approached.

Siena bit back the groan that threatened to rumble up her throat.

Why was this woman so damn sexy? And why couldn’t Siena see past that? She had to focus on the post that had made her look like a sleazy villain manager from the bad old days.

Of course, it didn’t help that as she drew closer it became harder for her to keep her eyes from those delicious tits and remember the taste of this delectable woman on the tip of her tongue.

“Siena, I honestly wasn’t sure if you would show.” Jamie smiled nervously, and Siena thought she might die on the spot.

The sex had been amazing. Jamie had been so present, reacting physically and verbally at every touch and stroke Siena made as she explored her body.

Why had the sex been so good, especially when Siena hadn’t even taken her clothes off? Hadn’t even been touched the way she craved?

“I’m a professional, Jamie. And this is a business meeting.” Despite the crisp tone she used, Siena noticed the tiniest of smiles pulling up the corners of Jamie’s lips.

She wanted to kiss that smile into oblivion.

No, she didn’t.

She wanted this meeting over with and wanted to get something positive out of the entire situation. Some good press for Bunny and Piper would never go astray.

Siena simply hoped she could keep her thoughts on track and that she wasn’t putting her faith in the wrong person.