Page 61 of Sasha’s Secret

“You don’t follow fashion, do you?”

As comments went, it was relatively innocuous—the scathing, judgmental look that scraped over her from head to toe could have cut to the quick if Sasha had allowed it to. Instead, she pasted on a rigid smile. “I don’t have to. People aren’t interested in me like they are you. If I attend an event like this with you, it’s my job to look invisible.”

Linzi rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I want him to design something for me.”

Which wouldn’t change anything with the big show being only three days away. The situation was not without hope, however, provided she could convince Linzi to compromise. “I have an idea. The Oscars are a month away—that’s a much bigger event, with a global audience. Media representatives from all over the world will be there, to see who’s on the red carpet. I’ll make a few calls and see what I can do to get this guy on board for that. How does that sound?”

Sasha wasn’t hopeful, but it was the best compromise she could think of on the spur of the moment. It seemed to satisfy Linzi, though.

“Okay. Can you get me something to eat? I’m starving.”

And that was Linzi being Linzi. Her mood could turn on a dime, and whatever she was complaining about could be dismissed as quickly. “Lunch is a while off yet—why don’t I get you a light snack?”

Sasha didn’t really expect a reply. Linzi had returned to scrolling and tapping her way through the celebrity news feed on her tablet, so Sasha might as well have dematerialized.

On her way to the kitchen, Sasha stopped off at her office—still no sign of Rocco. With Sunday evening fast approaching, she wondered if he’d stepped up his sessions with Scott Monroe. As far as she knew, Rocco still needed to speak to Frank about reinstating Brian to Linzi’s entourage on Sunday. She wasn’t sure why he hadn’t, but she figured he had a good reason. She’d have felt better about the whole thing if she could have gotten in touch with her friend, but he was still unavailable.

To her surprise, Geri was still in the kitchen when Sasha arrived in search of snacks. “Shouldn’t you have gone by now?”

“Just on my way. Chef asked me to take an inventory and put together a list of everything we need, and I wanted to get it done early. What can I do for you?”

There was no way Sasha was going to delay the other woman any longer. “It’s okay. You go. I can put a fruit platter together for Linzi.”

Geri laughed. “You think? Do you have any idea how picky she is about fruit? You better let me do it. You can sit and watch, and tell me all about you and Rocco, because I’m telling you, if I preferred boys to girls, I’d be giving you some serious competition.”

For someone who was way past the age of blushing when the subject of relationships arose, Sasha didn’t expect fire to blaze in her cheeks. “If I said there was nothing to tell, would you believe me?” She could hope.

“Not a chance. Every time I’ve seen you two together, I’ve been expecting you to self-combust.” Geri retrieved a selection of fruit from the refrigerator. “Is he as good in the sack as he looks?”

Sasha almost choked as she perched on one of the tall stools by the counter, where she’d had breakfast with Rocco the first morning. “I’m pleading the Fifth.”

Geri looked up from her cutting board to give a jubilant whoop. “He is! You go, girl! About time you got yourself some action.”

Sasha’s eyes widened. “I had no idea my social life was subject to such close scrutiny.”

“Only by me. I’ve been waiting to see who’d be good enough for you.” She winked. “You made a great choice.”

Sasha couldn’t help smiling. “I’m not sure choosing had anything to do with it.”

“Ah-ha! I knew it. But sometimes it’s like that. The heart knows what it wants, and if you’re lucky, if it crosses your path, it’s life-changing in the best way imaginable. Here.” Geri pushed the platter laden with delicate slices of various fruits toward Sasha. “That should take her through to lunch. Any idea what she might like, then I can leave Chef a note?”

“I’d recommend one of her favorites. She’s had… an upsetting morning.”

Geri raised her eyebrows and huffed. “Don’t tell me—she didn't like the color of the sky when she finally got up, and was upset because you couldn’t spray-paint it the right shade of blue to suit her highness.”

Sasha sighed. “Something like that.”

Geri folded her arms and aimed a stern glare at Sasha. “So, don’t you think it’s about time you told me?”

“Told you what?”

“Who is the real Sasha Morgan? Why are you working for the brat who signs our paychecks?”

Sasha felt like a bug under a microscope. She couldn’t tell Geri the truth. “There was—is—a job that needed doing here, and I have some relevant experience.” She shrugged and picked up the platter. “That’s it. Nothing weird or special.”

Without saying a word, Geri continued to study her. “Okay, I’ll let it go for now, but I still think there’s more to it than that. I’ve got to get going now, but… if there’s ever anything you need, or you need to talk about stuff, I’m here, okay?”

“Okay. You get out of here. I have this to deliver.” Sasha glanced down at the delectable selection of fresh fruit. The exquisite presentation would be lost on Linzi.