Chapter 0018

Fiona finishes saying good morning to Kent and stops at our little table on the way out.

“This beauty must be Fay,” she says as she arrives, giving me a big smile.

She has a thick New York accent, a little like Fran Drescher, and I can’t help but be charmed by her

sweet, brusk nature.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“Oh baby,” she says, wrinkling her nose at me. “I already know all about you. Big Boy over there told

me everything,” she says, nodding at him over her shoulder.

I blush again. Big Boy?

Seriously?

What woman has the balls to call Kent Lippert Big Boy?

I laugh despite myself. “All good things, I hope.”

“Only the best,” she replies. “I’ll catch you two babies later,” she says, swooping down to give Daniel a

kiss on the cheek as she goes. “And you,” she points a manicured nail at me, “you’re going shopping

with me later, okay? Okay.”

She leaves without waiting for a response.

I watch her as she goes, a little jealous of her confidence as well as her raw sensuality. Fiona is the

kind of buxom beauty who I imagine thrives in a world like this.

I look down at myself, feeling like a flat piece of plain white paper beside her.

“Sorry about that,” Daniel says, his voice a little frustrated.

“Why?” I look up at him, surprised.

“It’s just embarrassing, to have them around,” he whispers, leaning forward so that only I hear him. “My

dad could fill every room in this house with his lovers, if he wanted to,” he says. “Although Fiona is…a

favorite.”

I nod, understanding. “I can see why. She’s so beautiful.”

He sighs and I cock my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

“My whole life there have been women all over. Some stay for a night, some for months. Fiona has

lasted years now, but it’s only a matter of time before she’s gone too. Women just love him.” He scowls.

I can’t help but feel a little sorry.

“Well, I don’t like him at all,” I say, trying to cheer him up. “I think he’s rude, and domineering, and he

likes to make people feel uncomfortable to make them fall in line. I think you’re ten times the man he

is.”

Inside, I know it’s a lie. But it’s worth it for the burst of sunshine it brings to Daniel’s face.

“Thank you, Fay,” Daniel says, looking at me with real affection. “You’re the only one who thinks that.

I’m glad to have you on my side.”

I smile at him and put my hand on top of his.

A few hours later, I jump out of my skin when the door to my room flies open again. “Shopping time!,”

Fiona says, almost pulling me off my feet as she grabs my hand.

“Wha –“ I say, laughing a little as she eagerly bustles me out of the room. “Where are we going!?”

“Shopping, baby!” she laughs, pulling me down the steps. “I’m just so glad Daniel finally brought a girl

home so I have someone to play with.”

I bite my lip as I hurry behind her. “Shopping? I really don’t think Kent’s going to let me leave the

house.”

She gives me a wink as we arrive at a set of double doors close to the garages. “That’s the great thing

about this place, we don’t have to leave. The shopping come to us.”

With that, she pushes open the doors, revealing the treasure trove beyond.

I can’t help but gape at what I see before me. There are stacks and stacks of luxury goods neatly

arranged on hangers and racks. There’s even a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. To my left

is an entire two-story wall just of shoes.

“Oh my god,” I say, looking around.

“You like?” she asks, standing proudly in the middle of the room. “Kent used to have it all neatly put

away in boxes, but I made him let me organize it. You know,” she shrugs, “really give it that Rodeo

Drive feeling.”

It really is dazzling. Everywhere I look I see brand names I’ve only ever seen in fashion spreads –

Balenciaga, Hermes, Dior, Chanel.

“Where did it all come from?” I ask.