Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series Ainsley Claire (primary phonics books .TXT) 📖

with me about the horrors of being publicly lied about. Despite what they say, we all agreed that not all press is good press—particularly when it’s entirely fabricated.

Today I’m working from home, but I find myself watching the boardwalk below my window rather than my computer screen. I’m convinced the people walking dogs, runners, bicyclists, and couples strolling along the boardwalk are all conspiring to distract me from my work. Not that I’m particularly focused in the first place. Don’t people have to work? What are they all doing out there? Then my phone rings.

I pick it up to answer. “Hi, Mason.”

“Hey. I just got off the phone with Nate. We’re working on a departure time for early Thursday morning for the wedding. I think the goal is to leave at six. Is that possible for you and Axel?”

My heart drops. I can’t bring myself to tell him I haven’t heard from Axel in four days. “That works for me, but I have a feeling Axel is going to pass on the trip. His sister and her four kids arrived suddenly on Saturday morning.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Well, check with him and let us know. Nate’s in depositions today, so I’m touching base with you and with Jim and Kate to see if that time works. We want to play poker Thursday and Friday night if everyone can get there early enough.”

“I can be there at whatever time works for everyone else. I’m pretty flexible this week.”

“Mia,” Mason says softly, “I know the fake crap on the internet has been brutal. I’m sorry if that’s affecting you or affecting things with Axel.”

I sigh. I was also a jerk, and I haven’t reached out to him either, but it’s not worth explaining. “Thanks. That may be a factor, but he also had to fly his sister and her four kids, all under seven, in from Australia, and it’s been a bit hairy.”

“You deserve someone awesome. I hope you know that.”

Mason always says the right thing. “Thank you.” If I don’t change the subject I just may cry. “What is going on at Diamond?”

“Some of the board was taken in by what they saw all over the web, but Jim was quick to point out that none of the information was confirmed, or reported by actual news sources, and that you’d only been deposed by Viviana’s attorney. They calmed down after that.”

“That’s good news. Whether it’s real or not, they can’t be excited that I’m getting all this negative press. I’m sure this is Viviana’s way of discouraging me from testifying. Thanks for looking out for me.”

“Always. How are things at Flirt?”

“We’re getting close to our full San Francisco launch, now that things are going well with the test group. The team is killing it. I just meet with them once a week. Emerson really helped me hire the best. Now we just have to keep it from being stolen out from under us. Have you heard anything from Jim or Gage about the pirating in China?”

“I believe Clear Security is elevating the matter to the State Department through a contact of Walker Clifton’s. We hope to know more soon.”

“Okay, keep me posted, and I’ll do the same.”

“So, what’s next?” he asks.

I sigh. “A beach in Hawaii.”

“Can’t wait. Let me know what you find out about Axel, and unless we need to change, plan for Thursday morning at six.”

“You haven’t run that by Caroline yet, have you?” I tease.

He chuckles. “Of course not. I’ll set the alarm and roll her out of the house with coffee in her hand. She’ll sleep most of the flight and be fine.”

“I’ll text everyone once I know about Axel. I’m not optimistic.”

“Do you want me to call him?”

That’s the last thing I want. I adore Mason, but I need to handle this myself. “I can manage this. Promise.”

“I can tell him he doesn’t know what he’s missing,” Mason offers.

“As tempting as that might be, I need to be sure he does what’s right for him. I’ll call and check. See you on Thursday morning.”

We disconnect, and I take a deep breath and call Axel. He answers on the third ring.

“Hey, Mia.”

“Hi. How’s it going with your sister and her family?”

“It’s a bit overwhelming.” Axel sighs. “The boys aren’t used to any structure, so I’ve been working elsewhere. At the library I get in trouble for talking, but coffee shops are too loud.”

“You’re welcome to use my office at Flirt. I’m not there, and the network is secure.”

“That’s nice. Thanks. But I’m managing. My sister is overwhelmed, and I’m supporting her the best I can.”

We’re quiet a moment.

“You’re a good brother.”

He doesn’t ask anything about how I’m doing today, so I’m taking that as a silent message. I’ll give him the out so we can at least part as friends. If he no longer has any interest in me, there’s no reason to delve into the insanity my life has been the past few days. “I’m guessing you probably can’t make it with me to the wedding in Maui this weekend?”

He heaves a big sigh. “I really shouldn’t go. My brother-in-law is threatening to show up, and I worry about leaving my sister alone.”

“I get it,” I say.

The line falls quiet again.

“All right. I’m going to get myself to the gym and finally get going today,” I tell him. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Sounds good.”

The call clicks off, and I highly doubt we’ll talk again.

I really liked him. I brush a tear away. Why is it that professionally I’m a rock star, but my personal life is a mess?

I don’t always like to air all my dirty laundry, but I just feel awful right now. I text my friends.

Me: I’m single again and