Live For Me (Blurred Lines #2)(48)
Author: Erin McCarthy

Was he f**king kidding me? Kadence was in the apartment? There was no way Devin could know that. I was about to protest, maybe ask the doorman to direct me to a coffeeshop so I could call Devin but we were already there and he was already throwing open the door for me.

Chapter Thirteen

“Mrs. Gold,” the doorman called. “Mr. Gold’s guest is here.”

“Thank you,” a woman’s voice responded from somewhere in the apartment.

Then suddenly there she was. Devin’s wife. She looked older in person than she did in photos but at the same time she actually looked less artificial. She smiled and held out her hand to me, catching me off guard.

“Hi, I’m Kadence. I’m sorry for still being here. I had hoped to be gone before you got here, but I didn’t realize I still had so many sweaters in the apartment.” She gave a laugh. “I suppose I could just buy new ones, but I happen to like some of them, you know? Sweaters are like woobies. They’re comforting.”

In fact, she was wearing a sweater with black skinny jeans and high heel boots. “Come on in and I promise to be out of your way in a flash.”

“Thanks,” I said, because what the hell else was I supposed to say? “I’m Tiffany.” I shook her offered hand. “Mr. Gold’s housesitter.”

By all accounts, she was crazy, so I didn’t want to piss her off. Just let her leave and I could lock the door and take a nap.

“Housesitter?” She winked at me. “Okay, that’s what we’ll call it.” Then she waved to the bellman. “Thanks, Joshua. I’m going to miss you.”

“You, too, Mrs. Gold. Stop by and say hi sometimes.” He gave us both a smile and a wave then left, closing the door behind him.

I waited for Kadence to start snarling the minute the door shut and our audience was gone, but she didn’t. “Devin told me you’re seeing each other,” she said breezily, walking back down the hallway. “I would say you’re a definite improvement over that bitch Brooke. Devin brags about how intelligent you are.”

This was all news to me. Like WTF. Devin spoke casually to Kadence about me? She approved? This was not the way any of their relationship had been presented to me. It had to be a con. She had to be disarming me so that she could go in for the kill. “Thanks,” I said in response, suspicious but not wanting to let her know I was. “I’ve never met Brooke but the word online is she has amazing abs.”

Kadence laughed. “That’s about all she’s got going for her. My maltipoo has more brains than her.” She stepped into the kitchen, which was sleek and modern, the total opposite of Richfield. “Wine?”

“Sure.” The hell with it. I needed something to get me through this nonsense. I dropped my backpack on the floor and leaned against the counter. “So what went down at Prada?” I asked, totally curious. If I had to be there with Kadence I might as well hear what she had to say.

“Oh, my God, that bitch bag knew I was going to be there. I had an appointment and Devin mentioned it in casual conversation, apparently. So then we’re all there- like awkward- because he totally forgot I would be there at that time and then she starts in on that whining shit.” Kadence took a sip of her wine then cleared her throat. “Daddy,” she said, in perfect imitation of Brooke’s voice. “Buy me something!”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “I’ve heard that particular voice from her in the background on the phone. So obnoxious.”

“Right?” Kadence shook her head. “God, I don’t understand how anyone can spend five minutes with her without wanting to punch her in the vagina. But that doesn’t seem to matter to men. Boobs over brains, every time.”

Considering she herself was sporting a pair of DDs, which were most likely not natural, I thought that was a bit ironic. “Then I guess I’m screwed,” I said, oddly amused.

Glancing around the apartment, I wasn’t sure who had decorated it. I wasn’t even sure what Devin’s actual taste was. This apartment was very modern, with sleek furniture and very little color. It was mostly wood tones, glass, chrome. The only color came from vases and throw pillows in neutral greens and browns. It was smaller than I would have expected, but this wasn’t Maine. I realized I had gotten used to the space at Richfield. That was even more ironic than Kadence’s cup size.

“Well, Devin seems happy with you so keep yourself natural.” She handed me a glass of white wine. “If I had to do it over, I think I would skip the boob job and get a master’s degree. Men who respect your mind don’t care when it ages.”

Was she implying Devin left her because of her age? He’d said she’d lied to him when they first met, said she was younger. I took the wine. “I would look ridiculous with a big chest. It is what it is.”

“You have the kind of face that will still look fresh at fifty. Just remember to wear sunscreen.”

“Will do. So who picked out this apartment?” I asked, curious. I should have felt uncomfortable with her, but I really didn’t. I didn’t feel threatened in any way. Though I supposed in thinking about the pictures with the angry words on them I should watch her around the knife drawer.

“Devin picked the apartment. He wanted to be in the East Village because of the vibe. But I decorated it. He has really shitty taste. If you gave him free rein everything would be neon. He bought me a yellow car. It was so gross, but I still have it because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He means well. He is a generous guy, despite his general grumpiness.”

Nothing about what she said seemed untrue, exactly. I hesitated but then I asked what was probably a very loaded question. “So why aren’t you divorced yet?” But then I heard how rude it sounded and I took a sip of the wine. “I’m sorry, I guess that’s none of my business.”

Her eyes narrowed but she didn’t go ape shit on me. “Because dividing assets is always complicated. Look, if you’ve been reading stories online about me being crazy, just ignore them. I swear to God, a woman can’t be upset about her marriage ending without everyone deeming her crazy. I didn’t want a divorce. I was sad, grieving. I wanted to fight to make it work. I don’t think that’s all that unexpected after six years together.”

It all sounded so… reasonable. So believable. Was she really that good of a liar?

“I don’t begrudge Devin his happiness. I just wish it could have been with me.” She shrugged and waved her hand. “But God, why are we talking about this? It’s almost a new year. Here’s to new beginnings.”