He snorted. “That was pathetic.”
“Hey!”
He was resolute. “Try harder.”
She braced her legs apart and stared at her reflection. “I am Jada Townsend-Matthews, and I am enough.”
“Better. Again.”
“I am Jada Townsend-Matthews, and I am enough. I am Jada Townsend-Matthews, and I am enough.” With each recitation, her voice got stronger and clearer. The tension in his shoulders abated a small bit. His breathing calmed. This was better. Much better.
“My name is Jada Townsend-Matthews, and I am enough. My name is Jada Townsend-Matthews, and I am … going to beat her ass!”
Oh, shit.
* * *
Jada was pissed. Pissed like she couldn’t remember. When the finale aired and people dogged her out on social media, she took it, believing she’d let everyone down and hoping that disappearing would make the hate end sooner. She’d gone on the show hoping to find a way to take control of her life. That hadn’t worked out, but it had led her on a path to discover who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do. She wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from her. Not now. Not ever.
She was ready to fight. She was ready to take control of her life one more time.
Jada crossed her left leg over her right knee, placed her elbows on the table, and steepled her fingers. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“I was surprised, but happy to get the call.” John graced her with the smile that had caused countless women in the country to get the vapors. Once upon a time, she’d been affected as well. That time was long gone. Now she recognized it for the practiced tomfoolery it was. Her gut had known, even if her mind hadn’t.
She’d wanted to handle this on her own. The calm certainty and logic she’d absorbed from being around Donovan gave her peace in the situation. She wanted to give John a piece of her mind—he deserved a piece of her mind—but she wanted answers more. Or at least first. Donovan had objected—no doubt because he thought she’d kick John’s ass and do damage to the furniture in his office, but she’d held her ground.
She’d come prepared wearing her best armor—a black, custom-tailored Gucci suit that hugged her curves and her favorite red patent leather Louboutin stilettos. She loved those shoes. She’d strolled down the streets of Paris and New York in those shoes. She missed her Crocs and the polo and khakis she’d become accustomed to wearing, but she needed to fight fire with fire. After a trip to the hair salon and an hour in the mirror carefully applying her makeup, she looked fabulous and was armed for battle.
John raised his gaze from where he’d been ogling her legs. “Dare I hope this means you’ve given more thought to my offer?”
Jada’s eyebrows arched. “You thought I’d ask you to meet me in my boyfriend’s office if I planned to dump him and run off to Hollywood with you?”
A muscle in his jaw, which wasn’t as steely as she’d once thought, spasmed. “Stranger things have happened. I just thought you wanted a quiet place to talk.”
She inclined her head. “I did.” There was no way she was inviting him to her condo, and they couldn’t meet in the shop within earshot of customers and shop owners/employees, who all had opinions they’d want to share. “Did you feel anything for me ever, John, or was it all for show?”
Dr. John’s face smoothed into the pleasant I’m-such-a-good-guy expression he’d perfected. “Of course I did. I loved you. Do you think I’d come back here for more possible rejection if I didn’t?”
He was good. She had to give him that. The angst, the uncertainty in his voice sounded top notch. Maybe he did have a future in Hollywood. Too bad she didn’t give a shit. She knew the true depths of his character. “Stop the act, John. Lila told me about the little scheme you two cooked up.”
Shock, then a hint of anger, flashed across his face before he again smoothed out those unpleasant emotions. “I’m not sure what she told you—”
Jada held up a hand. “Cut the crap. We both know it’s true. Did you ever care about me, actually love me?”
He deflated against his chair. “Yes, Jada, I cared about you. Love? We looked good together. I knew you were a star the moment I met you. Together, we can fly.”
“So the answer to that is no.”
A dangerous light entered his eyes. “Don’t act all innocent. You made me look like a fool on national TV! Why did you turn down my proposal?”