Object of My Desire Read online

  Harper: He’s not going to think that. He might not remember you right away, but he probably will after you remind him. He did hang out in our hotel room for a while. I doubt he completely forgot about us.

  Me: That’s true.

  Harper: The worst thing he can say is no. You really have nothing to lose.

  Me: Yeah. You’re right.

  Harper: *wiggles eyebrows* I know I am. So, DO IT.

  Me: I’ll think about it.

  Several glasses of wine later, with a whole lot of liquid courage, I did it.

  Travis wiped his face off with his towel and looked at his watch. He’d come into the gym to work out before he went to have a late dinner with some friends. He normally tried to be done by six, so he could intermittent fast for at least twelve hours. But it was Saturday night, and he was more lenient with himself on the weekends.

  He had just enough time to hit the showers and head over to the restaurant to meet his friends.

  He threw his towel over his shoulder and headed to the locker room. He rounded the corner and ran into his ex. She had on street clothes, her gym bag on her shoulder, her auburn hair was done, and her makeup looked fresh.

  “Hey, Trav,” Christy said.

  “Hey.”

  They both stood there for a few seconds, staring at each other. They’d broken up over a month before he went to Iowa with Angela, and they’d managed to avoid each other since.

  Christy was a fellow personal trainer. Since they basically got to pick the hours they were at the gym, so they could work around their clients’ schedules, they’d done a good job of never having to stop and say more than a polite hello.

  “How have you been?” he asked her.

  “Good. Great. And you?”

  “Pretty good.” He’d gone on a couple of dates but nothing serious. And standing in front of her now, with just the two of them in the hall, made him realize he kind of missed her.

  “How’s work going?”

  “Good. Although all those New Year’s resolutioners have mostly fallen off the wagon already.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah. Same for me.”

  “Are you heading home for the night?”

  “Yeah. I just finished with a client.”

  He was probably making a big mistake, but he opened his mouth and asked her anyway, “I was going to dinner with some friends. You want to tag along?”

  Her blue eyes widened. “Uh, sure.” She smiled. “That sounds like fun.”

  “Give me five, and I’ll be out.”

  “Sounds good.”

  When they got to the restaurant, his friends—Barry, Dan, and Lilah—didn’t look happy to see his ex with him.

  “Hi,” they all said in strained voices.

  He wasn’t surprised. Things hadn’t ended well with Christy and him.

  “Dude,” Barry said, “I need to talk to you a minute.”

  “I’ll be right back,” he told Christy. Be nice, he mouthed to Dan and Lilah.

  Barry pulled him away. “What the hell? Why did you bring her here?”

  Travis shrugged. “We ran into each other at work, and it just came out.”

  Barry pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “Do you forget what she put you through? All her accusations? All the times you had to walk on pins and needles around her? Did you forget how she hacked into your phone to spy on you?”

  Travis winced. “No, I didn’t forget.” But his anger and hurt had faded some. “This is not a date. We’re not getting back together. I invited her out, thinking maybe we could be friends at least. We were together a year and a half.”

  Barry put his hand on Travis’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right, but broken up or not, I don’t think her jealous nature is going to fade. She’s insecure, and she’s never going to be able to handle you being with someone else.” He dropped his arm. “She couldn’t stand you being friends with other girls or taking pictures. I can’t imagine what she’s going to do when you are actually dating someone.”

  Travis sighed. “It’s fine. We’re just having dinner”—he spread his arms—“with friends. We’re not alone.”

  Barry started back for their table. “I hope you’re right.”

  Travis followed Barry back and sat down next to Christy. She gave him a questioning look, but he smiled and shook his head.

  Dinner was going well, and Travis was reminded of when they’d first begun to date. She had been laughing and joking all night with them. Maybe him breaking up with her had helped her realize that she needed to work on some things.

  He did come to the conclusion that he more missed being in a relationship than being with Christy herself. She’d put her hand on him a couple of times, but the spark was gone.

  His phone vibrated on the table. It was the first time it had gone off all night, and he froze. Toward the end of their relationship, it had seemed like every time he got a phone call, an e-mail, a notification, anything, Christy would get mad. It had gotten to the point that he kept his phone on silent and would check it when she left the room. One of the reasons they were no longer together.

  And, even though they were no longer an item, he instinctively braced himself for her reaction. But she picked up her glass like nothing had happened.

  Travis relaxed and felt a bit of hope that she’d changed.

  He picked up his phone and swiped through his notifications. He had a direct message from Sydney Hart.

  He looked over at Christy, who smiled at him.

  He opened the message.

  Hi, Travis. I don’t know if you remember me from the Iowa book signing. I was the author at the table behind you, and we hung out a little after the signing.

  He frowned. Of course he remembered her.

  There is a book signing coming up in two months in Minneapolis. I would love to have you attend the signing with me. Just as a model. Harper will be my assistant again. Here is the info on the event.

  She posted the link below.

  Just get back to me when you can. Thank you.

  Another message popped up.

  I almost forgot to add. I have a book coming out right before the signing, and you’ll be on it. Please don’t share this with anyone since I haven’t done a cover reveal yet. Thanks again!

  Next, an image of her book came through. It was an image of him and Joni, a friend and fellow model. He’d like to think he was modest, but he had to admit, he looked good, and the cover looked great.

  “You’re still doing that?”

  He frowned and looked at Christy. They might have broken up months ago, but he still knew her. She was trying to act casual, but he could tell when she was mad.

  He put his phone down and sat back. “Doing what?”

  “Uh-oh,” Lilah said.

  “The modeling thing.”

  He furrowed his brow. “Of course I am. Why did you think I’d stopped?”

  She picked up the napkin on her lap and threw it on the table. “I thought that maybe all these months without me would make you see what you’d been missing.”

  “You mean, someone who tries to control him?” Barry said.

  Travis narrowed his eyes at Barry.

  Barry held up his hands. “Sorry. None of my business.”

  “I didn’t try to control him,” Christy protested.

  Travis sighed. She clearly hadn’t changed. “Christy, you didn’t even like it when female clients contacted me, and that was for work.” It had gotten so bad that she started to not like it when male clients messaged him.

  She grabbed her purse. “I can see that you and I will never agree on this.”

  The woman was crazy.

  “No, we won’t.” Good luck finding a guy who will.

  “I think it’s time for me to go.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.”

  Her expression darkened. She was out of her mind if she thought he was going to stop her. She was b
eautiful and had a great body, but she was ugly on the inside. Barry was right. She was incredibly insecure despite the number of times he’d tried to tell her and show her that he cared about her and was attracted to her.

  Christy stood and stomped out of the restaurant. All he could think about was how grateful he was that they’d driven separately.

  “Wow,” Lilah said after everyone watched Christy go.

  “Sorry you all had to see that.”

  “I’m just glad you’re not getting back together with that bitch.”

  “Barry,” Lilah said.

  “She hacked into the guy’s phone. For no reason. He wasn’t cheating on her or anything even close.”

  It was true. He had never given Christy a reason not to trust him. He’d been cheated on, so he knew what it felt like. He’d promised himself he’d never do that to someone else. Christy just hadn’t liked his modeling. Even though it was something she’d loved about him when she first met him.

  “Barry’s right. She’s kind of a bitch,” Travis agreed.

  “What got her so pissed off?” Dan asked.

  Travis opened his phone and showed him the message and book cover.

  “Damn, Trav,” Lilah said, fanning her face. “That’s hot.”

  His face warmed. “Thanks.”

  “Are you going to do it?” Dan asked. “Do you remember who this author is?”

  Travis smiled. “Yeah, I remember her.”

  She was so different from Christy. His ex would never have gone to breakfast with no makeup, and Christy would never have taken falling on the floor the way Sydney had either. Christy would have been pissed at everyone laughing at her. Sydney had been embarrassed, but she’d taken it in stride. He’d thought of her a few times since he’d seen her.

  “So, what are you going to do?” Lilah asked. “Tell her yes or tell her no?”

  Thanks for asking. I’d love to accompany you to the book signing.

  I stared at the message one more time just to make sure that was what it said even though I already knew it did.

  “I’m sure he’ll be here,” Lexie said, trying to reassure me.

  “Yeah.” But I wasn’t sure.

  It was April, and the book signing was supposed to start in half an hour. I’d given Travis the information, and he’d agreed to come, but so far, he’d been a no-show.

  I understood that things happened. Harper was supposed to come with me today but had gotten the flu. But it would have been nice for Travis to tell me he wasn’t coming. I wouldn’t have been mad, and I also wouldn’t feel like such a fool.

  I had paid for his modeling fee. I had told the coordinators he was coming. And, now, I was being stood up.

  I had been so excited that he’d said yes. It was practically all I’d been thinking about for the last week. If I were honest with myself, really, the last month. And he’d forgotten.

  I knew I should have reminded him since we hadn’t messaged each other for a month. Not since I’d given him the final details for today. I just hadn’t known what to say. I hadn’t wanted to be pushy.

  I’d known there was no chance he’d be interested in me, but apparently, hope was a stupid bitch who had played a trick on my subconscious.

  I picked up a copy of Beautifully Broken from my large stack. His picture taunted me. Now, I was stuck, looking at him all day.

  “I bet you’ll still make some good sales,” Lexie said.

  I smiled at her. “I’m not worried about that. I never make more than I spend on a signing. However, I wouldn’t have brought so many books with me.” I looked at the box behind me, filled with my new novel. At least it would last me several signings. And I could always do some signed giveaways to my readers.

  “I’m going to go use the restroom real quick. You’ll be okay?” I asked my niece.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  I found the nearest restroom, used the toilet, and went to wash my hands. While I rinsed the water off, I looked up in the mirror and blushed. I had gone out of my way, doing my hair, carefully putting on my makeup, and picking out my outfit.

  I felt ridiculous.

  I grabbed a paper towel and got it wet, and then I removed the red lipstick I’d put on my lips. I was a ChapStick girl anyway. I rarely ever wore lipstick, even when I wore makeup.

  I dug until I found my brush in my purse and brushed out my hair, curls and all, and found a hair tie. I pulled it up into a messy, semi-stylish bun. It would be easier to sign books without my hair in my face.

  Maybe it was a good thing Travis hadn’t come. I was more comfortable now, even with just the two changes. I would, however, like my fifty-dollar modeling fee back.

  I shrugged at my reflection. Oh well. Live and learn, I guess.

  I headed back to the room where the event was taking place, thankful that I had still worn comfortable shoes. At least I hadn’t let the thought of a hot guy change my footwear. I did way too much standing to put on pretty feet-killing shoes.

  My table was back in the corner, so I stopped at a few tables on the way back to grab some business cards and other swag to keep track of books I hoped to read someday. The only thing I didn’t like about being a writer was reading. I was always fearful of accidentally copying someone’s style, and many times, after writing all day, I had no desire to look at other words.

  By the time I retired, my to-be-read list was literally going to be a mile long. That was single-spaced, eight-point font size. Hopefully, I retired young and lived long.

  I had my head down, scanning each table as I walked past in case something caught my eye or I saw someone I knew, so when I got to my table, I was a little shocked to see someone sitting and talking to Lexie.

  Travis’s hair was longer than when I’d last seen him, and I almost didn’t recognize him. Maybe I shouldn’t have been avoiding him on social media because, damn, it looked good on him. It was thick, and I wanted to run my fingers through it.

  He smiled when he saw me and stood. “Hey.” He leaned close and kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late.”

  I blushed at his affection, but then I realized it was very Hollywood. I always noticed that when famous people greeted each other. He was being polite.

  “Oh, um … that’s okay.” I scooted in between him and the table to take my seat in the middle. As I moved past him, my butt brushed against the front of his fly. My previously warm face was now on fire. “Sorry about that.”

  He laughed. “It’s fine.”

  “Travis was just telling me that he had to go to his nephew’s soccer game this morning, and that’s why he just got here,” Lexie said as I took my seat.

  “I’m glad you could make it,” I told him.

  “Yeah, Sydney thought you’d changed your mind or just forgotten.”

  I spun my head around. “Lexie.”

  She shrugged. “What? It’s the truth.”

  “He doesn’t need to know that,” I pointed out.

  I could hear Travis laughing behind me, so I looked back at him. “I’m sorry about that. Sometimes, I think that teenagers don’t have a filter from their brains to their mouths.”

  “I do, too,” Lexie objected from behind me.

  Travis held up a copy of Beautifully Broken. I hadn’t even noticed he’d been holding it.

  “This looks great.”

  “Well … you are on the cover.” Way to open your big mouth, dummy. Quick. Say something else. “I mean, you both look good.” I tilted my head to the side. “Is it ever awkward, posing with someone like that? Is it hard to pretend?” I mentally patted myself on the back. Good job. He thinks you’re just interested in his profession.

  “Occasionally, it’s awkward if I don’t know the other person. You have to pretend you have some sort of intimacy with a complete stranger. On the other hand, if it’s someone I do know, we start to laugh and can find it hard to be serious.”

  I tried to picture myself modeling. �
��I think you all deserve more credit than you get. I know it’s not easy.”

  He smiled. “Oh, have you ever done it?”

  I gave him a deadpan look. “You’re joking, right? I might be cute, but this”—I waved my hands down in front of my body—“isn’t model material.” Before he could think I was fishing for compliments or waiting for him to protest, I added, “I used to watch America’s Next Top Model.” I put my finger to my lips. “The older I got, the more ridiculous the contestants got, but I couldn’t stop watching.”

  He laughed. “Will you sign a copy for me?” he said and handed the book over to me.

  I lifted my brow. “Did you pay for this?”

  “Uh …”

  “I’m kidding. You can have it for free.” I grabbed another book from my pile and gave it to him. “But I’ll only sign yours if you sign mine.”

  “And I would like you to both sign my copy,” Lexie said.

  “But you can’t even read it.” I quickly turned to Travis. “She’s only sixteen.”

  “Too late. I already did.”

  I gasped. “Alexis Harting.”

  “Syd, I’ve read all your books.”

  “Your parents are going to kill me.”

  Lexie grabbed a book and handed it to me. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

  “What happened to Harper? I thought she was coming today,” Travis asked about two hours into the book signing.

  “Sick.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “Yeah, she was bummed. I practically had to make her stay home today.”

  I watched Travis’s face and wondered if he was disappointed about not seeing Harper today. Maybe she was the reason he’d agreed to come.

  Stop it.

  I was being irrational. He came because he was a nice guy, and this was a good business opportunity for him. He wasn’t interested in Harper. And, even if he were, she was married.

  Travis leaned back in his seat and stretched. I found it really hard to not stare at him. I wondered if the women he dated could ever stop looking at him. I didn’t know if I could. And I’d only seen him in person with his clothes on.