Page 97 of The Bad Girl

“You won’t have to,” Harry says. “This isn’t meant to change who you are; it’s meant to get Tom to take notice. To make him take a deeper look at you. When he sees you, he’s not going to remember the girl planning her wedding at five. He’s going to see a bright and beautiful woman that has her life together and isn’t desperately pining for a man. Once you hook him, you can settle back into being you, or whatever version of you makes it out of this, because let’s face it, some changes are for the better.”

“Shopper messaged: clothes are being brought up in an hour,” Stacey says.

“And remember what you signed today,” Jenna interrupts. “Tell him you’re fine, but don’t feel you can ‘go there’ yet. Tabloid vultures are already circling, and there are two movies already being pitched. Chances are, they’re going to want your endorsement. The more you speak out about the event, the less you’re worth.”

“Oh my God—movies!”

“Yeah, apparently, Eliza’s already talking to a production company, but she wasn’t lucky enough to have us on her side, so she’s getting a fraction of what her story’s worth.”

Harry’s screen lights up, distracting him from the mission at hand.

“Boss-man calling, give me a few.”

?

Maxwell

I sit on pins and needles, waiting for a message from Harry.

At Akinyi’s behest, I decided to get bold. I spent the morning purchasing a few pairs of jeans and other casual clothing. I’ve decided not to shave, and I’m letting my hair grow out a smidge. I’ve been looking online at tattoos, trying to find one that fits my personality.

My phone buzzes with a message from Harry.

Harry:Let’s see how her meeting with Tom goes before making any big plans. Akinyi’s tactics work for her, but you’re not seducing rich businessmen.

Oddly, Harry is being the voice of reason. He’s offering solid advice that makes sense. It’s not bold, and it’s certainly not what one would expect in a romance movie, but the way I see it, it’s the only way to be sure she won’t have regrets somewhere down the road. Tom won’t be ‘the one that got away,’ he’ll be, ‘the one she didn’t want.’

Maxwell:How do you think their coffee date will go?

Harry:It’s hard to say. The more I look at his profile, the more confused I get. He’s a hard man to read for someone that’s a supposed ‘bad boy.’

And today, Nadine will be having coffee with him, gazing into his eyes, looking at his muscles.

The scene plays out in my mind, Nadine’s hand roving Tom’s chest as he picks her up, kissing her full on the mouth. It’s torture, bringing out my competitive nature.

I will win her over. It won’t be easy, and it may take time, but she will be mine.

My chest tightens, an unusual feeling for me. I don’t get worked up over women—that’s not me. Or at least it wasn’t me. Nadine has thrown whatever rulebook I was following out the window into a burning dumpster.

And I have to admit, as scary as it is, I kinda like it.