Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
There was no point. Nothing she could say or do would change his mind about the classy, beautiful woman he intended to have on his arm for the night.
* * *
Would you rather receive a sexy photo or a sexy phone call?
Jessica read the text from Derek and grinned as she headed back to the boutique with Avery. They’d had a successful lunch meeting with Belle Demoiselle and he’d left his message for her while she’d been busy. She’d been receiving random flirtatious and suggestive texts since they’d parted ways on Sunday. Now, it was Thursday, and she had to admit that she was enjoying his playful, sexy which would you rather game.
The getting-to-know-her questions came sporadically throughout the day and evening. He’d started with light, neutral queries that had graduated into more intimate, provocative inquiries. She never knew what he’d ask, but whenever her phone chimed with a message from Derek, butterflies erupted in her stomach and a perma-grin lifted her lips.
Considering both their schedules were so busy, it was a fun and unexpected way for him to stay in touch. She also loved knowing he was thinking about her, despite them being apart.
She typed back, Well, I’ve never done either, but since there are a dozen ways things could go wrong by sending a sexy photo, I think I’d rather have a sexy phone call.
I knew you liked my dirty talk, he returned and added a smirking emoji.
She felt her cheeks warm and quickly responded, I do.
Naughty girl. I have a dinner meeting and should be home by nine thirty. Be in bed, wearing your sexiest lingerie, and I’ll FaceTime you at ten for that sexy phone call.
“You’re grinning again. And blushing,” Avery pointed out in a lighthearted tone as they walked along the sidewalk toward the Curvy Girl Couture boutique. “I take it you’re answering Derek’s naughty questions?” She wriggled her brows as she asked.
“Yes,” she said, feeling giddy inside. “We have a FaceTime date tonight.”
“Oooh. That sounds fun.”
Jessica laughed, already feeling the anticipation build. “I’m sure it will be.”
Avery smiled at her. “I like seeing you happy.”
“I’m always happy,” she said automatically.
Her friend looped her arm through Jessica’s. “I like seeing you happy with a man,” she clarified. “It’s about damn time someone appreciated everything about you.”
“Derek and I aren’t like that,” Jessica refuted, trying to stay sensible and realistic about her affair with him. “It’s just a fun fling. And I’m happy in general right now. Life is good, and today’s lunch meeting with Audrey and her partner couldn’t have gone any better.”
“I agree.” Excitement filled Avery’s voice. “You are this close to getting your own exclusive lingerie line.” She pinched her fingers close together for emphasis.
Jessica’s elation was nearly overwhelming, but she wasn’t one to tempt fate by assuming anything. Nothing was guaranteed until a contract was signed. But after today’s lunch with Audrey and Gisele, she agreed she was one step closer to making that dream come true.
They’d asked to see a few more sketches and new ideas, and she’d shown them the ensemble she’d drawn over the weekend, which they both gushed over. Jessica knew they were waiting to see how the launch of Curvy Girl Couture Lingerie went and how well the line was received by influencers and celebrities. They’d gauge the response from the editors of fashion magazines like Allure, Elle, Marie Claire, and Glamour, as well.
Jessica had a lot of key industry people to impress, and while she believed in her designs, and Audrey and Gisele seemed to love her concepts, the promise of an offer could easily be revoked for any reason, and that possibility was always in the back of her mind.
They arrived at the boutique and strolled inside. They’d only been gone for a little over an hour, but Maddie was juggling three customers and appeared a bit frazzled trying to accommodate each woman.
“Oh, good, you’re back.” Relief spilled from her voice as she hung a few outfits over her arm that the woman beside her wanted to try on. “Jessica, a friend stopped by to see you and insisted on staying until you returned from lunch. I told her she could wait in the back lounge.”
Jessica blinked in surprise. She had no appointments for the afternoon, and no friends had called or messaged to say her they’d be stopping by. “Who is it?”
“Her name is Claire,” Maddie said as she escorted the customer to the dressing room. “I was going to text you to let you know, but I’ve had my hands full.”
Shock jolted through Jessica along with concern. What could that woman want?
“Did I do anything wrong?” Maddie asked.
“Of course not!” She wasn’t angry at Maddie for letting Claire stay.
Maddie had only been an employee and friend for a little over a year. She didn’t know Jessica’s history with Claire. But Avery did and when Jessica turned, her friend’s expression was full of fury. They both knew Claire wasn’t there to extend an olive branch or to indulge in any kind of pleasant conversation.