usually give a damn about the consequences. “You don’t talk about it? Or you can’t talk about it?”
She stands. “Doesn’t really matter which, does it? Our car should be here. Let’s get this shoot over with.”
…
To my surprise, we get the shoot done in minimal takes. Baby is abnormally subdued after the ride. Maybe Addie gave her a sedative. Betsy gives both Addie and me gift baskets of her dog treats as a thank-you for the shoot. This is new. Normally she only gives one to Addie. Addie regards me expectantly. Does she want me to give her my basket?
“Thank you so much,” I tell Betsy. “I don’t have a dog, but my friend does. She’ll love this.”
No, Tessa doesn’t have a dog, but Braden does. This basket is for Sasha, which also gives me an excuse to go over to Braden’s place while he’s in New York. If only to smell his scent again—that perfect mélange of pine, spice, and leather that has grown as necessary to me as air.
Tessa meets me at the Bark Boutique as planned.
Addie left, thank God, so I introduce Tessa to Betsy.
“This is an adorable place,” Tessa says. “Do you do a good business?”
“Pretty good. The posts from Addison help a lot.” She smiles.
“It was great meeting you,” Tessa says. “You ready for lunch, Skye?”
“Yup. All set. Want to join us, Betsy?”
“I wish I could. But maybe…”
“What?” Tessa asks.
“Would you like to have a drink later? After six, when I close?”
Surprising. I’ve been doing shoots for Betsy since I began working with Addie. She’s never wanted to get together before.
“I wish, but I can’t,” I say. After all, I’m going to Braden’s to deliver Sasha’s basket.
“I can,” Tessa says. “I never turn down a chance for a drink after work. I’ll meet you here, okay?”
Tessa and Betsy just met, but my best friend has a way of putting people at ease.
Betsy smiles. “That’d be great. I’m looking forward to it.”
Once Tessa and I hit a café for lunch, I fill her in on Addison’s earlier antics.
“She did not empty your purse on your desk,” Tessa says.
“She did. I’m still pissed about it.”
“You should be.”
“But I’m more confused. Why does she think Braden is bad news? She won’t tell me. When I asked her if she doesn’t talk about it or she can’t talk about it, she changed the subject.”
“You think she has an NDA or something?”
“I have no idea.”
“It has to be something like that. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she tell you? If she’s concerned that you’ll become competition for her because of your relationship with Braden, surely she’d want to get you away from him.”
“Good point,” I say, “and one I hadn’t considered. You’re right. She can’t talk about it, for whatever reason.”
“Or it’s a big fat lie,” Tessa observes.
“I don’t think so. She and Braden both admit to having a thing years ago. Whatever it was, it didn’t end well.”
I don’t tell Tessa that I think I’m falling for Braden. I’m hoping it will go away. After all, I’ve known him for all of a week.
The waiter delivers our lunches, and I take a quick bite of my chicken sandwich.
“When are you taking the doggie basket over to Sasha?” Tessa asks.
“Tonight. Betsy’s treats are all organic and best enjoyed within a week.”
Tessa swallows her bite of pasta. “Betsy seems nice.”
“She is. Not the kind of person Addie normally—” I stop abruptly, a light flashing in my mind.
“What?” Tessa asks.
“Betsy’s a childhood friend of Addie’s. I wonder…”
“If they went to high school together?”
“Yeah. She must be some friend. Addie doesn’t usually work for free, and she never charges Betsy for a post. If she’s that good of a friend, she might know something about Addie and Braden.”
“I’m on it,” Tessa says. “Maybe she’ll talk about Addie when we have our drinks tonight.”
“Maybe.” I take another bite of my sandwich, starting to feel a little guilty. I don’t want to use Betsy for information. “Don’t force her to talk, though.”
“How on earth could I possibly force her? Besides, I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know. I just wish I could get Braden to tell me.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” Tessa says. “In fact, it probably is. This sounds like drama of Addie’s making. Classic.”
“You’re probably right.”
Between Tessa’s drinks with Betsy and my trip to Braden’s, this evening will be interesting.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
My nerves on edge, I grasp the doggie gift basket, nod to the doorman, and buzz Braden’s penthouse.
No response for a few seconds. I buzz again.
“Yes?” says a female