Page 193 of Contentious

“Oh wow. I wonder if he knows that.”

“I doubt it. Marlene would never disclose something like that. She wants everyone to think she’s as cool and sexy on the inside as she is on the outside. She’d tell you the inside is a red-hot mess.”

“She seems pretty together to me.”

“She’d love that you think so. The divorce was devastating to her. The things she found out about him… It was terrible. She truly loved him and thought they had the real deal only to find out he had kids with other women. For a time, I worried that she might actually die of a broken heart.”

“That was one of the ugliest cases I’ve ever worked on, but don’t tell her I said that. I shouldn’t say anything about it.”

“Believe me, I know how ugly it was. I had a front-row seat for it. I was actually relieved to hear she’d gotten busy with someone, but then she told me he was your brother, and I didn’t know what to think.”

“He’s a good dude, but he’s more relationship-averse than I ever was. Don’t let her get her heart set on him or anything.”

“I think it was a one-night stand.”

“That’s good,” he said, sounding relieved.

The next time she talked to Marlene, she’d ask if she’d heard any more from Ethan.

* * *

Cresley barely slept as she ran through scenarios that might come up at the D&G meeting. Teagan had told her it would be a friendly get-together, but Cresley knew the executives would have questions about the recent headlines and would be looking for assurances that their brand ambassador was done making news.

“Your track record speaks for itself,” Teagan said. “Consummate professional, outstanding mother to an exceptional son and not a speck of scandal or drama until recently—and none of that was your fault. It’ll be fine.”

Teagan was usually right, and Cresley could only hope she was this time, too.

She was up early to shower and do her hair and makeup, choosing to wear one of the D&G suits they’d sent to celebrate her contract, hoping that when they saw her in their clothes they’d be reminded of why they’d wanted her for the job in the first place.

Teagan picked her up and drove her to the meeting in Beverly Hills. “How’re you feeling?”

“Stressed.”

“I’m sorry. I know this is the last thing you needed on top of everything else. I honestly think they just want some eye contact to assure themselves you’re still in the game.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

They were warmly greeted at the D&G offices, offered coffee and croissants and ushered into the conference room, where a number of familiar faces were waiting for them. She’d met them all several times before, but in the moment, she couldn’t remember any of their names as they shook her hand.

The account executive, Renata, one name she recalled, led the meeting. “Cresley, I know I speak for all of us when we tell you how great it is to see you and to know you’re safe after recent events. We hope your friend Carson is on the mend, too.”

“Thank you. He’s doing much better.”

“And your son?”

“He’s great as always. His resilience has been admirable.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. We wanted to get together today to touch base and determine the way forward.”

“I want to say how much I appreciate your kind thoughts and the fruit basket you sent. We’ve enjoyed that very much. I’m thankful for the time and space you’ve given me to care for my family during this difficult time. I’m ready to come back to work and to pick up where we left off as soon as a week from Monday.”

“That is fantastic news,” Renata said as the others nodded so aggressively that Cresley worried they might hurt their necks.

The meeting continued with a review of a new schedule for the next couple of weeks and a plan to keep in close touch if anything came up that required an adjustment.

On the way out, they all shook her hand again and thanked her for taking the time to come in to “visit” with them.

Cresley exhaled a deep breath when she was back in Teagan’s Mercedes SUV.