LITMIR.BIZ

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simply did not like. Sasha Jones was one of those people. The woman made it her civic and professional duty to sniff out every ounce of gossip, making the rounds in Guava when she wasn’t making Zoe miserable. For reasons Zoe could not fathom, Sasha had decided that Zoe was the enemy.

      “I see that you’re making more changes to that dress,” Sasha said, gesturing to the gown. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Are you second-guessing yourself?”

      Zoe exhaled slowly before responding. Her patience was not limitless. Enough was enough. “I’m not having doubts about anything, Sasha. But I do hope you’re not too disappointed that my designs were chosen to be featured this year.”

      For a moment, Sasha’s eyes seemed to be caverns of ice.

      Zoe bit back a smile as she stepped around Sasha and continued on to the sewing room. She had no idea why Jerry kept Sasha around. She seemed to do nothing more than find ways to stir up trouble.

      There were more important things to think about, Zoe decided. She resolved to put Sasha completely out of her mind.

      * * *

      “Oooh, that witch,” Sasha fumed. She hated everything about Zoe Sinclair. She especially resented the way Jerry fawned over the woman’s designs. Sure, she had some talent—Sasha would give her that—but so did every other designer at Guava.

      She was the one who had garnered all the attention until the wretched day Zoe had walked into their lives.

      Zoe hadn’t just taken the focus off Sasha—she had destroyed Sasha’s relationship with Jerry. Sasha and Jerry had been lovers, but that had changed when he’d decided to become Zoe’s mentor, much to her disdain.

      Zoe was the one to blame.

      Seething, Sasha brushed past a couple of her coworkers without speaking. She paused when she neared the sewing room, where Zoe was engaged in a conversation with a seamstress.

      A fresh wave of hatred washed over Sasha as she spied on Zoe.

      At five foot eight, Zoe was three inches taller than Sasha. Although most people considered Zoe beautiful, Sasha considered her plain, despite her smooth mocha complexion, dark hair and almond-shaped eyes.

      Sasha ran her fingers through her long curly extensions. She was beautiful and she knew it. Like Zoe, she dressed at the height of fashion, although she preferred earth tones while her nemesis wore more vibrant colors and large statement jewelry. Simple strands of gold or silver necklaces were more to Sasha’s liking.

      Zoe caught sight of her in the hallway. “Did you need something, Sasha?”

      Her cheeks grew hot as she fumbled for an answer. “I...I was looking for Jerry.”

      “Why don’t you try his office?” Zoe suggested. “It’s located on the other side of the building.”

      Sasha scowled at Zoe in silence.

      The seamstress wore an amused expression, which quickly disappeared when Sasha sent her a sharp glare before stalking off.

      Zoe Sinclair was going to regret the day she ever walked through the doors of Guava International. Sasha would see to that personally.

      * * *

      Nelson was still settling into his bedroom when Kyle returned to the apartment.

      “Sorry about abandoning you earlier,” he said.

      “It’s cool,” Nelson said as he put away a stack of folded shirts. “Having lived with my mother all those years, I understand how crazy it gets right before a big show.”

      Kyle sank down on the edge of the king-size bed. “Have you spoken to her since you left Philly?”

      Nelson shook his head. “I still can’t believe what she did. You just don’t do something like that to family.”

      Kyle knew Nelson was referring to Vanessa leaking the details of her husband’s long-ago affair with his sister-in-law to the media. He had heard about it from Nelson’s brother, Harper.

      Harper had been so disgusted with his father’s actions that he’d left the family-owned law firm and started his own company. He had recently opened a second office in New York.

      “Have you eaten yet?” Kyle asked.

      Nelson shook his head. “I wanted to get unpacked first. This room is really nice,” Nelson told him. “Your apartment looks ready for the cover of a magazine. I still think you hired a decorator.”

      He laughed. “Actually, Bailey and Brianna gave me some decorating tips.”

      “When I get my own place, I will definitely have them come over to help me.”

      Kyle and Nelson left the apartment and made their way to a nearby restaurant.

      “This place is a favorite of mine,” Kyle announced when they were seated in one of the booths.

      “I’ve heard that the food here is really good,” Nelson responded as he picked up the menu. “A couple of friends recommended it when I was here last month for that audition.”

      “Have you heard anything back yet?” Kyle asked.

      “Not since the second callback,” Nelson said. “I have another audition in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I need to find a job.”

      “Why don’t you work for me?” Kyle suggested. “My assistant left for another position and I could use someone to take her place. The schedule is pretty flexible, except during Fashion Week, obviously.”

      Nelson broke into a grin. “Kyle, I really appreciate all you’re doing for me. Man, this is great.”

      “I have to warn you that it’s not all glitz and glamour, Nelson.”

      “I know,” he replied. “I’ve seen enough of what goes on. I think it’s why Mother never wanted any of us to get involved in the fashion industry.”

      “Then she’s probably not going to be pleased that you’re my assistant,” Kyle said.

      Nelson shrugged. “She no longer has any say about the choices I make for my life. Right now my mother needs to try to fix this mess she’s created with the family. Family should always stick together.”

      Kyle couldn’t agree more.

      His cell phone rang, cutting into their conversation.

      “Your phone’s been blowing up for the past fifteen minutes,” Nelson commented as they ate. “That honey must really want to talk to you.”

      Kyle broke into a grin. “It’s this girl I used to date. She’s in town for Fashion Week and she wants to get together.” He picked up his glass of water and took a long sip.

      Nelson leaned back in his chair. “Let me guess...she’s a model, right?”

      “Actually, she’s a painter,” Kyle said. “I stopped dating models a year ago.”

      His cousin laughed. “You were always a ladies’ man.”

      “Hey, I can’t help that the women love me.” Kyle wiped his mouth on the edge of his napkin.

      “Still humble, I see,” Nelson said with a chuckle.

      Kyle leaned back in his chair. “You’re just mad because Lena Swan picked me that summer you spent with us before we went off to college.”

      Grinning, Nelson shook his head. “I’m glad she chose you, Kyle. She was a strange female.” He stuck a forkful of salmon into his mouth.

      “I have to agree,” Kyle said. “I didn’t know what to do when she showed up one weekend with a wedding dress and rings.”

      Nelson howled with laughter. “That’s what you get for lying to that girl, telling her that you were in love with her.”

      Kyle gave a slight shrug.

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