Grounded (Up in the Air #3)(75)

She shook her head stubbornly, her silky black hair moving across her shoulders with the movement, her rosebud mouth pursing. “That’s ludicrous. Answer one question for me. Have you ever been approached by a modeling scout before?”

I flushed. “Not by anyone serious. A few people have said something, but I knew they were just trying to scam me.”

She gave me a sympathetic look. “Seriously, as someone who has a real hetero-girl-crush on you, you need to work on your self-esteem. You’re stunning, and you need to just acknowledge the fact and then get over it.”

The whole conversation made me uncomfortable. “Um, thanks. So did we have any other details to go over for the showing?”

She sighed and shook her head. “No. Let’s go grab Frankie and get something to eat. I can’t come to town and not see her. She’d kill me.”

We had an impromptu girls’ lunch. I wasn’t sure if it was a late lunch or an early dinner.

Frankie greeted me with a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and a huge grin. She wore her usual half-shirt with daisy dukes, showing off her myriad tattoos.

“I just spoke to James,” she told us. “He needs to work for a few hours, and he told me to keep you entertained. Sucker.” She rubbed her hands together like an evil cartoon character. “I have plans.”

Danika laughed richly. “Oh boy. He’s in trouble, huh?”

Frankie nodded. I tried to follow the strange conversation.

“First we eat,” she told us.

We went to the casino’s Mexican restaurant. We ordered and started snacking on chips and salsa.

“Do you mind if I bring Tristan to Bianca’s gallery showing?” Frankie asked Danika, studying her closely.

Danika didn’t hesitate. “Why would I mind? Bring whoever you want.”

“Well, I know you aren’t speaking to him…”

“That’s not true. He and I have absolutely nothing to talk about, but I’m not avoiding him.”

Frankie nodded. “Good. Because I have a red carpet thing for my show coming up. It’s in town next week, and I want you to come. I was worried you wouldn’t come, since Tristan will be there, but now you can’t use that as an excuse.”

Danika just shrugged. “If you want me there, I’ll be there. Tristan and I will just stay out of each other’s way.”

Frankie sighed. “You used to be best friends. I wish you guys would at least start talking again.”

Danika gave her a hard look. “Don’t meddle, Frankie. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to press this issue. I can be civil, but he and I will never be close again. We are bad for each other, even as friends. Bad things happen when we get together.”

“You’d feel better if you forgave him—“

“I did forgive him. We went through all of that when he was doing the rehab thing. I’m over it, but forgiving doesn’t mean that I’m willing to make all of the same stupid mistakes again.”

“You know he’s in love with you, right?”

Danika laughed, and it was a bitter sound. “Please. Don’t make me laugh. That man isn’t capable of it. Now drop it, Frankie, before I leave.”

Frankie threw up her hands in defeat, her mouth twisting. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Consider it dropped.”

Food arrived, and the two women pretended like the whole awkward interaction had never happened.

I followed suit, though I was beyond curious about whatever had happened between Danika and Tristan.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Mr. Incensed

We gorged ourselves on cheese enchiladas and chiles rellenos. I was over-stuffed when I finished, but I’d found my new favorite restaurant for comfort food.

The meal went smoothly after their little confrontation, and the women laughed and joked like old friends. We were finishing our meal when Frankie looked at me with a wicked smile, rubbing her hands together.

“How do you feel about branding James onto your body? Just something little. He did it for you. Don’t you want to return the favor?”

I should’ve known that was what she’d been plotting. She was a tattoo artist, after all. I considered her idea, not dismissing it out of hand. I was finding new ways to surprise myself daily. “What did you have in mind?” I asked her warily.

She waved Danika out of her seat. “May I borrow your back for a moment, Danika?” she asked cheerfully.

Danika just stood up and turned around as though they did this every day.

Frankie circled a small spot on the other woman’s shoulder blade. “James. Right here. Identical size, color and style as the Bianca on his chest. What do you think?”

I was shocked to find myself warming to the idea. I knew that James had done something so extreme to prove something to me, the same thing that he seemed to need me to prove to him. I took a deep breath. “The same size as his?” I asked.

Frankie whooped, sensing victory. “Yes, but on your back. I know James well enough to know that he wouldn’t like a boob tat. Let’s do this!”

Frankie had to have a brief but firm conversation with the camera crew and producer that taped her reality show. They were not going to tape this tattoo.

Blake insisted on searching the place, but I was surprised when she didn’t try to butt in when she saw what we were obviously doing. She just stood outside of the curtained area and waited for me.