Behind His Lies

  “Hey, Rosebud. Where?”

  “Andrew, Jasper, Lucas, and I were at Per Se and she was there. She walked up to our table.”

  “What was her reaction to meeting you?”

  “Andrew introduced me as someone who works for him, and since Lucas was there, she assumed it was a business meeting.”

  “So Andrew didn’t want her to know the two of you are dating?”

  “No. When I asked him about it, he said that it was none of her business.”

  “He’s right. And frankly, I don’t feel comfortable with her knowing. I don’t trust that woman. She’s manipulative and calculating. Besides, this whole sudden change in her and signing those divorce papers out of the blue just doesn’t sit right with me. After our last conversation I gave it some thought. I don’t mean to scare you, but I want you to be extra careful where she’s concerned.”

  “Who are you texting?” Andrew asked.

  “Charlie. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of days.”

  “Tell him I said hi.” He smiled.

  “I will be. I’m not sure I trust her either. Andrew says hi.”

  “Tell him I said hi. When are you coming to visit me?”

  “Next month for sure. Andrew and I already talked about it.”

  “Good. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too, Bobby. Good night.”

  “Good night, Rosebud.”

  “Charlie says hi. I told him we’re coming down to Florida next month. He’s happy.”

  “Good.” Andrew smiled as he shut his laptop.

  I set my phone down on the nightstand and kissed his lips before snuggling against his warm body.

  “I love you, Addison.”

  “I love you, too, Andrew.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I went up to Andrew’s office to give him the designs for a new hotel that Simon Young was building in Manhattan.

  “Hi, Maria. Is he in there?” I asked.

  “Yes, Addison. Go on in.” She smiled.

  I placed my hand on the handle, slowly turned it, and opened the door. Andrew looked up from his computer and smiled.

  “Hi, Angel. What brings you up here?” He got up from his chair and walked over to me.

  “I have the designs for Simon Young’s hotel.”

  “Ah great.” His lips brushed against mine. “Let’s have a look.”

  We walked over to the long rectangular table, where I spread out the designs.

  “These are great. I think Simon is going to love them. Thank you.” He grinned as he placed his hands on my hips and softly kissed my lips.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I stared into his eyes.

  “Thank you and you’re welcome.”

  Our lips locked together as our kiss turned passionate.

  “I’m sorry, Andrew,” Maria spoke as the door opened.

  He broke our kiss and his eyes widened. I turned around and saw Ellie standing there.

  “I told her you were in a meeting,” Maria spoke.

  “It’s fine, Maria,” Andrew said. “Ellie, what can I do for you?”

  She glared at me from head to toe. The cat was out of the bag and she didn’t look very happy about it.

  “I received this bill in the mail today from the insurance company. They didn’t cover my doctor’s visit.”

  “That’s because you are no longer on my insurance. We discussed this and it’s in the divorce papers. You’re responsible for your own health insurance,” Andrew spoke.

  “This bill was from before we were divorced,” she spoke as she stared at me.

  Andrew walked over to her and took the bill from her hand. Looking it over, he spoke, “I’ll have Maria look into this.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. So, the two of you are dating?” she asked.

  “Yes. As a matter of fact, we are,” Andrew replied.

  “That’s nice. I’m happy you’ve moved on already. I’m seeing someone as well. His name is Craig and he works on Wall Street.”

  “I’m happy for you, Ellie.” Andrew gave her a small smile.

  “I better get going. Thank you for checking into that.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  As soon as she walked out of the office and the door shut, I glanced at Andrew.

  “Now she knows,” I spoke.

  “Yeah.” He walked over to his desk. “I’m glad she’s dating someone. Poor guy.”

  “No kidding. I have to get back to my office. Don’t forget we’re going back to my apartment to have game night with Emma, Jasper, and Lucas.”

  “I won’t.” He smiled as he blew me a kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I blew him a kiss back.

  As I rode the elevator down to the tenth floor, it stopped on the twelfth, and when the doors opened, Lucas was standing there.

  “Hey, Addy. Coming back from Andrew’s office?” he asked as he stepped inside.

  “Yeah, and guess who popped in while I was up there, in a lip lock with him?”

  “Who?” He cocked his head.

  “Ellie.”

  “No way! Why was she here?”

  “Something about a medical bill she got.”

  “So she saw the two of you together?”

  “Yep.” I nodded.

  “And?”

  The elevator doors opened, and we walked down to my office.

  “Nothing. She said she was seeing someone and she was happy that Andrew was moving on with his life.”

  “Ha.” He chuckled. “Somehow I doubt that. But for her sake, I hope she means it. I’ll talk to you later. I have a meeting to get to.”

  ****

  It was a Saturday afternoon and the rain was pouring down from the sky. Andrew had a client meeting at the office, so I decided to grab a book and go to Starbucks for a coffee and to catch up on some reading.

  “Addison?”

  I looked up from my book and saw Ellie standing there.

  “Ellie,” I spoke in shock.

  “Would you mind if I joined you?” She smiled.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “Umm. Sure. Have a seat.”

  She pulled out the chair across from me and sat down, setting her coffee cup on the table.

  “Thanks. How are you?” she asked.

  An uncomfortableness settled inside me.

  “I’m good, Ellie. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Thank you for asking. I saw you sitting here and I just wanted to say hi. When you see Andrew, tell him I said thank you again for taking care of that insurance mishap. I saw him the other night and thanked him, but somehow, I felt it wasn’t enough.”

  “Sure.” I narrowed my eye at her.

  “He was so sweet for doing that for me and I just want him to know how grateful I am.”

  “I’m sure he knows, but I’ll make sure and tell him.”

  “Thanks, Addison. You’re really sweet. I can see why Andrew is so attracted to you.” She smiled as she leaned across the table. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what an animal he is in bed.”

  I swallowed hard.

  “No. You don’t have to tell me.”

  “Of course I don’t.” She laughed as she waved her hand. “Sex was the best part of our relationship, and I’m sure it’s the same for you too. After we lost our baby, Andrew knew how sad I was, so he suggested we try to have another one. We fucked like rabbits every day, but it just didn’t happen for us. That’s when I became depressed. But with Andrew’s help and love and support, I got the help I needed.”

  I sat there in disbelief that she was telling me all this.

  “I’m happy you’re doing so well, Ellie.” I looked at my watch. “Oh gee. I’m late.”

  I got up from my chair.

  “It was nice talking to you,” I spoke.

  “You too, Addison. Have a wonderful day.” She smiled.

  I walked out of Starbucks and immediately hailed a cab.

  “Where to, lady?” the cab driv
er asked.

  “433 East 85th Street.”

  When I arrived at Andrew’s place, I stepped off the elevator and a text message from him came through to my phone.

  “Hey, baby. I’m just wrapping up this meeting and I should be home within the hour. What do you want to do tonight?”

  “Hi. I was going to cook dinner for us. Sound good? I think we deserve a nice relaxing evening at home.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I miss you and I love you.”

  “I miss and love you too.”

  The sick feeling I had ever since I left Starbucks wasn’t subsiding. The things Ellie said about Andrew really bothered me. I went into the kitchen, poured myself a glass of wine, and started chopping the vegetables for the stir fry I was going to make to try and get my mind off it.

  “What’s that fantastic smell?” Andrew smiled as he strolled into the kitchen and kissed me.

  “Stir fry.”

  “Beef or chicken?”

  “Shrimp.” I smiled.

  “Ah. My favorite. You’re the best, Angel.” He kissed me again.

  He walked over to the bar and poured himself a scotch.

  “I’m sorry that meeting took so long. How was your day?” he asked as he popped the rolls into the oven.

  “Interesting,” I replied.

  “What did you do?”

  “I went to Starbucks for a coffee and to catch up on some reading and I ran into someone there.”

  “Who?” he asked as he looked at me.

  “Ellie.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. She asked if she could sit down.”

  “For fuck sakes. I hope you told her no.”

  “How could I, Andrew? That would have been rude.”

  “Addison, she’s the last person I want you to be nice to.”

  He took down two plates and handed them to me as I filled them with stir fry.

  “I really didn’t have a choice.”

  “What the hell did she want to talk about?” he asked as we sat down at the table.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you saw her the other night?”

  “What?” He cocked his head. “You mean when she thanked me about taking care of the insurance thing for her?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She was walking into the office building as I was leaving. We spoke for like a minute and I left. I didn’t think anything of it.”

  “So, you didn’t think to tell me that you ran into your psycho ex-wife?”

  “Like I said, we spoke for a minute. She thanked me and that was it.”

  “Well, she didn’t think your brief encounter was enough and she wanted me to thank you again because she really appreciated your help.”

  “Okay? And?”

  “She then proceeded to tell me what an animal you are in bed and that sex was the best part of your relationship.” I took a sip of my wine.

  “She said that?” His eye narrowed.

  “Yes. And she also told me that you fucked like rabbits every day because you wanted to try for another baby.”

  “What the fuck!” he shouted. “And you believed her?”

  “I didn’t say I did.”

  “Really, Addison? Because you have that tone in your voice. You’re somehow pissed off at me. I can tell. We never had sex. I can promise you that. I couldn’t even stand to look at her, let alone touch her.”

  “I’ll ask you again, Andrew. Why didn’t you tell me you saw her?”

  “I didn’t think about it because it happened so fast. I’m sorry, baby. I really am. It’s not like I intentionally kept it from you.”

  I sat there staring down at my plate.

  “Addison, look at me,” he spoke in a stern voice.

  I sighed and looked into his eyes.

  “You know the story. You know she’s crazy. We never had sex and I never wanted to try for another child. She told you that shit to get to you.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just—”

  He got up from his chair and walked over to me, kneeling down and taking my hands in his.

  “It’s just nothing. She’s messed up. You know that. I want you to promise me you’ll stay away from her. If she approaches you again, I want you to walk away. Don’t even acknowledge her. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes. She is crazy, isn’t she?” I smiled.

  “Very crazy.” He smirked. “I love you so much. You know that, right?”

  “I know, and I love you too.” I placed my hand on his cheek.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  On my lunch break, I headed over to Neiman Marcus to look at a dress that Emma had put on hold for me for the opening of a new art gallery on the Upper West Side that our firm designed.

  “So what do you think?” Emma asked as she held up a red cocktail dress.

  “Wow. It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s going to look fabulous on you. Go try it on.” She smiled.

  I went into the fitting room and slipped into the form-fitting dress that sat off the shoulders with the dramatic flair sleeves.

  “What do you think?” I asked as I stepped out of the dressing room and stood in front of the three-way mirror.

  “It’s perfect!” she exclaimed. “The perfect dress for the art gallery opening. What time is it at?”

  “It opens at seven o’clock, but Andrew and I have to be there by six thirty,” I replied.

  “Here, try these shoes on with it.” She grinned as she handed me a pair of red Jimmy Choo stiletto heels.

  “These shoes are fifteen hundred dollars, Emma.”

  “So what. Andrew’s paying, and that’s chump change to him.”

  “But this dress is eleven hundred dollars. Don’t you think that’s a little expensive for an art gallery opening?”

  “Listen, Addy, when you’re dating someone like Andrew London, the man who designed the art gallery, you have to look the part. You really think he’s going to blink an eye at the cost?”

  “I don’t know.” I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “Let’s find out.” She smirked as she pulled out her phone.

  “Don’t you dare call him!”

  “Too late. Hi, Andrew, it’s Emma. I’m at Neiman Marcus with your lovely girlfriend. She found a dress and the perfect shoes, but she’s concerned about the price. That’s what I told her. I’ll relay the message. Talk to you later. Your generous and sexy boyfriend said that nothing is too expensive for you and to buy whatever you want and stop worrying about it.”

  I sighed. “I do love it.” I did a little twirl in the mirror.

  “Me too. Go change out of that dress and hand it to me. I’ll take it and the shoes up to the register.”

  I went back into the fitting room and changed back into my clothes. As I opened the curtain, I saw Ellie walking out of the room next to me. My stomach dropped.

  “Hi, Addison.” She smiled. “Doing some shopping?”

  “Oh, hey, Ellie. Umm, yes, I am.”

  “Me too. I love this store. It’s always been my favorite. Andrew used to buy me all my clothes here. Sometimes he would come home from the office with a bag full of things he picked out for me. But I’m sure he does the same for you.” She waved her hand in front of her face.

  I gave her a small but nervous smile. “I have to get back to work. Take care, Ellie.”

  “You too, Addison. It was really good to see you again. We should do lunch sometime.”

  I pursed my lips and gave her a nod as I walked away.

  “You are never going to believe who I just saw in the fitting room,” I whispered to Emma.

  “Who?”

  “Ellie.”

  “Shit. What did she say?”

  “She said we should do lunch sometime.”

  “Yeah. Like that’s ever going to happen.” She laughed.

  I went back to the office and debated whether or not to tell Andrew about my encounter with Ellie. I decided not to because really it was no big deal. Just like when he saw her
at the office. I’d better get used to running into her in public places.

  ****

  “You look gorgeous.” Andrew smiled as he walked into the bedroom.

  “Thank you. So do you.” I grinned as I straightened his bow tie.

  “I love that dress and those really expensive shoes.” He smirked.

  I lightly patted him on the chest.

  “Be quiet. I just don’t like to spend money like that. Especially other people’s money.”

  “But you have a pair of Jimmy Choos. I’ve seen you wear them.”

  “And I got them on a double clearance. They barely cost anything.”

  He placed his hands on my hips and brushed his lips against mine.

  “You can have anything you want. Money is no object with me. So I don’t ever want you to question the price of anything. And, speaking of that. I have something for you.”

  “You do?” I smiled.

  He walked over to the dresser and pulled out large square blue box with “Tiffany” written across it.

  “Andrew.” I cocked my head.

  “Open it.”

  I removed the lid and inside sat a beautiful diamond choker necklace.

  “Oh shit. This is gorgeous.” I smiled.

  “Emma sent me a picture of your dress and I thought this would look perfect with it.”

  “Thank you, Andrew. I love it.” I reached up and kissed him. “But you didn’t have to buy me this.”

  “You’re welcome and I know I didn’t. I wanted to. I love you, Addison Rose.”

  The corners of my mouth curved up into a smile. “I love you too.”

  We arrived at the art gallery opening precisely at six thirty and had a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres before the gallery officially opened. People started to pack into the twenty-five-thousand-square-foot gallery that Andrew designed himself. It was absolutely beautiful, even though there were a couple of things I would have changed. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.

  As we were looking at some modern art sculptures, Andrew turned around when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “Hello, Andrew. Addison.” Ellie smiled.

  “Ellie. What are you doing here?” Andrew asked.

  “I was passing by here the other day and saw the sign for the opening. You know how much I love art.” She ran her finger down his chest in a flirtatious way. “Addison, that dress is gorgeous on you. Is that the one you tried on today at Neiman Marcus?”