"I've never seen your a.s.s up s-o-o-o high. Your tush is grazing the popcorn ceiling."

"It's called squats. Suck it." She turned around to show him what he envied. "Come with Lex and me to Gilad's Pilates studio and you'll get a better b.u.t.t too."

"And your long legs are spread a teensy bit farther apart."

Crossing one foot over the other, she put her hands on her hips. "Ah-ah-ah."

"Taddy Brill-you reek of a good ol'-fashioned face f.u.c.king."

"Ha?"

"A c.l.i.t shaking!"

"What?"

"An a.s.s pounding." His voice was filled with envy as he clapped his hands together, causing her to flinch.

"I told you I worked this weekend, Mr. Morgan." Taddy's nipples pebbled just thinking about what pleasure the last forty-eight hours had brought her. "Anyways, I came in to give you my grat.i.tude for dealing with Neve this weekend. And to bring you this check." She slipped him a thank-you bonus as she always did when he covered for her. "I love you and your work."

"Thank you. I've enjoyed our friendship and our business together." He sat back down at his deck and handed her today's Wall Street Journal. She graced the cover, in Warner's arms. The headline read, "TRUMAN'S PROFITS RISE FROM s.e.xY NEW IMAGE". Warner's Hollywood smile beamed, but his stare didn't find the camera as intended. He looked into Taddy's eyes, as if ready to kiss her. The photographer had captured the moment's true essence. "Your canoodling was caught at the Hotel du France press conference. Mr. Truman shows good face."

"Mr. Truman is very handsome."

Blake's eyes rolled back. "You must've given him good head. Wanna tell me about-"

"Nope."

"No, you can't tell me because you slept with him to secure Truman Enterprises as a client?"

"G.o.d no."

"No, you won't share any details because nothing salacious happened between you and Mr. Beefy?"

"No, as in I didn't sleep with him in hopes he'd become a client. Warner dropped the charges against our beloved Kiki, and I executed his crisis communications. Nothing more."

"Nothing less?" Blake didn't buy it. "Speaking of our Utah virgin, is Kiki coming back?"

"Next week." I hope. I pray.

"Your Mormon will call and quit, in the same fashion as your other a.s.sistants have before her. I'll wager this bonus on it." He held up the check and rubbed her face in it.

"Thanks, Blake. As always-I appreciate your support." You are much nicer when you have a c.o.c.k to suck on. She turned, holding the doork.n.o.b.

"I take it you haven't set foot in your office yet," Blake warned over her shoulder.

She turned back. "No, why?" Taddy hoped there'd be long-stem red roses from Warner or Teuscher's champagne truffles or maybe some new s.e.xy Agent Provocateur lingerie. It was too soon for Harry Winston, but she'd even be happy with something as simple as a voice mail from her Big Daddy.

"Our gal pal Lex arrived early this morning. Crying-a total mess. I put her in your office with a box of tissues. She wouldn't tell me what's up."

"Birdie drama returns." She felt her day sinking. d.a.m.n it.

Blake pulled out a client folder. "Taddy, I'm not sure who or what you did this weekend but keep at it. It's nice seeing you smile."

"Thanks."

"I was afraid you'd forgotten how." Blake tapped his cheek with his pointer fingers, demonstrating a Shirley Temple grin.

"Funny."

"You deserve love." He held the Wall Street Journal photo up and continued, "And I'm hoping that's where this Warner Truman is headed."

"No comment." She wouldn't admit she wanted the same thing. He'd tell the entire office.

"Here's hoping your luck will rub off on me. My body could use some TLC." Blake's handsome face grimaced.

"Hang in there-I understand it's been difficult for you and Diego." She had heard from Vive that Blake was looking into filing for divorce. But Blake didn't talk about it much at the office. She wondered if it was really true this time or another false threat. Taddy wanted to take him away from Brill, Inc. for a heart-to-heart.

"Yup. That's the reason I don't attend Gilad's Pilates cla.s.ses with you and Lex."

"I don't understand."

"Gilad has been having s.e.x with Diego." His face reddened. "For a year now."

"My Pilates instructor is gay?" Taddy hadn't a clue.

"You've heard of 'gay for pay', right? When a straight dude sleeps with a guy for cash?"

"Yes."

"Well, he is 'straight for pay'. Gilad has all the Upper East Side women thinking he's straight so they'll sign up for workout cla.s.ses. But he's secretly been getting plowed by my husband."

"Are you okay?"

Blake nodded. "I've known for a while."

"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't realize it had gotten that bad between you." Taddy felt awful for him.

"I sorta have played it off like it's just been a tiff, haven't I?"

"Yes. Let's have lunch tomorrow and talk about it."

"I'd like that."

Taddy closed the door behind her as she left. She headed out into the hall while looking down at her cell phone. No messages.

d.a.m.n!

The sudden clacking sound of fingernails striking plastic keyboards increased as Taddy walked toward her office. She couldn't help but giggle. The few days out of the office were the longest she'd been away all year. Her staff probably thought she'd been abducted by aliens when she didn't come in yesterday. But the office racket became white noise to her as she thought about Lex and Birdie. The second she opened her door she asked, "What's wrong?" She set her purse and briefcase down on her desk and hugged her friend.

"I called you last night, but your phone went to voice mail."

"Thanks to Monsieur du Tautou at Euro Air, I missed my Paris connection. Long story. I went right to sleep when I got home. What's up?"

"Work is exploding."

"In a good way?"

"Too good."

"Congrats, darling." From the look on Lex's face, her visit didn't have anything to do with Easton Essentials, but she'd humor her, as always.

"Last December we agreed to focus on careers." Lex sat on a loveseat alongside the window and pulled Taddy down beside her. "Easton Essentials is hot. We've sold out worldwide."

"The fashion press gave you great coverage this season." She reached over to the coffee table and poured Lex a gla.s.s from the water pitcher. "Easton's fabric is the best."

Lex took a sip. "The textiles we sourced from Girasoli Garments in Milan worked better than forecasted."

"Isn't this kind of success what you dreamed?"

"Yes, but I never imagined the brand would take on a life all its own."

"I did. Why else do you think I'd give you my life savings?" Taddy laughed. Lex constantly underestimated her own designer talent. Some called it being humble. With Lex, it was being insecure. Taddy hoped her friend's skin would thicken after a few more fashion shows.

"For the first time since Daddy's death, we are debt-free. I paid off all of my parents' past bills. We have money to live again."

"That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you."

"Blake showed me the Wall Street Journal article when I came in. Spill it."

"What?"

"Don't play dumb. Warner Truman. The richest man in America. The one who resembles the NFL player Brayden Brooks you've been crushing on for years."

Taddy locked her pinky finger with Lex's. It was a childhood tradition and with Lex's encouragement, Taddy shared everything, from Garner in St. Barth being Warner, Kiki going to jail, the dinner, the lovemaking and Warner's desire to keep the getting-to-know-you-better going. "My stomach is in knots. Who knew I'd have puppy love at this age? It's as if I'm fifteen."

"A love interest is wonderful news."

"But I haven't heard from Warner yet. I doubt he'll call."

Lex placed her hand on Taddy's knee. "Have faith and confidence, would ya? You're Taddy Brill. He'll be in touch. Be happy."

"You're the one who should be in high spirits, darling. You've become the fashion phenomena. Do you have any clue just how compet.i.tive your industry is?" Over the years, Taddy's talents had launched numerous brands. Although no label had ever reached the same status as Easton Essentials.

"I'm afraid I'll lose the company."

"Having your own business is similar to blowing a balloon into the air-you have to keep huffing and puffing to keep it up." Lex's losses were different than hers. Taddy had lost her shirt as a teenager. Lex, on the other hand, owned the whole enchilada, until two years ago when her father killed himself and Birdie filed for bankruptcy. Lex had grown up with comforts and luxuries that Taddy's parents had stopped providing.

"I've worked twenty-four-seven to build this year's collection. Easton is all I have." Lex squeezed her hand. "Same way your company is all you've got too."

"Right." No argument there. "We both have to deal with our insecurities this summer. Mine is with a relationship and yours is with money." She studied her friend's face. Something in addition to Easton's runway success worried Lex. "Anything else you wanna talk about?"

The color drained from her cheeks. Taddy hadn't seen her friend this serious since Vancouver, when Birdie's life was in question. "I didn't come to talk about fashion. I'm trying to find some courage to tell you something. Hence, my rambling." Her eyes filled with tears.

"I figured as much. Is Birdie okay?" Six months had pa.s.sed since the fatal skin condition scare, Taddy a.s.sumed they were due for another cra-cra spell.

"Mom's great, she says h.e.l.lo. Still sober. Easton's success has given her this renewed energy and will to live. It's a blessing."

"Then what is it?"

Her friend reached into her black croc tote. "Vive gets why I'm here." Lex pulled out a Farnworth Firewater bottle from her bag.

"Where did you get that from?" Taddy laughed.

"Vive suggested we do a shot first. Then I'll give you the news."

"You don't drink."

Lex's forehead lifted. "This could prove a great time to start."

"It's a few minutes after nine. I'm not drinking anything but espresso." Taddy gawked at her. She hadn't seen Lex have a boozy drop since her father died. What the flip was going on?

"I have to." Lex unscrewed the lid and threw back one chug.

"Lex! You can't be serious."

"Lord, that's strong." Her friend thrust the bottle in her hands. "Down one tiny gla.s.s. Then I'll talk."

Taddy wiped the bottle's neck with her palm and sipped quickly. "Okay, spill it."

"Your mother-called my mom."

"Come again?"

"Irma says she has to see you."

It felt as if cold water had poured over her body. "My...mother?" She gulped two more Farnworth Firewater mouthfuls. The liquor burned going down. Her eyes watered. But Taddy knew her tears weren't from the high-proof alcohol. Preparing for the details, Taddy sat strong.

"Irma rang my mom yesterday. She caught you on the financial news. Your France press conference aired globally. Irma told Birdie she must see you and quick."

Suddenly a sharp pain went up the side of Taddy's neck. She c.o.c.ked her head, swallowing back the bitterness that was coming up. The two sat speechless for several minutes. Aunt m.u.f.fie had come by her penthouse with her mother. Her mother had come to her door. But why? When Taddy was able to speak, she remarked, "I'm surprised Birdie still talks to my mom after-"

"Mom hasn't spoken to the Brillfords since you emanc.i.p.ated. She picked your side, as did most everyone, including the law."

"I remember."

"Irma is, and I quote, the friend who keeps my mother's secrets," Lex confessed. "It's possible the Banging Birdie book didn't tell the world enough. You all right?"

"No."