After shuffling into her bedroom, Maddie closed the door and slid on jeans and a white T-shirt. As she pulled on her socks, she wondered if Elena had gone, storming out in a state of high dudgeon. Probably while laughing at her for looking like a half-dead cat. She glanced at the mirror and groaned. Her hair looked as if it had been brushed with a balloon, it was sticking up so high. Awesome.
Maddie ran a brush through the bird’s nest and put on a little make-up to hide the darkness under her eyes. She took one last look in the mirror. Okay, casual and relatively acceptable. For most people who weren’t Elena Bartell. Curator of beauty.
Listening through the door, Maddie could hear no sign of movement. Elena had probably gone. Great. She’d have to kill Natalii later for her meddling. She stepped out of the bedroom to find Elena perched with her usual regal grace on a sofa that looked far neater than Maddie had left it. In fact the wine glasses and pizza boxes were also gone.
Had Elena actually cleaned up for her? She tried to picture the media boss stacking her dirty dishes. Oh God, oh God.
Maddie was working herself up to a full-on self-flagellation, when Elena cut her off at the pass.
“Don’t,” she said. “It needed doing, and I had nothing else to do.” Elena fiddled with one of her rings. At least the enraged expression was gone.
“Thanks. Can I get you a coffee or something?”
“No.” Elena glanced at her watch. “We have an hour. I’m an honourable woman, despite what the various gossip rags think of me. What would you like to discuss?”
Maddie stared at. “You’re still going to do this thing? Talk to me for an hour?”
Elena gave the faintest of shrugs. “A deal’s a deal. And I won’t have Emmanuelle Lecoq getting a Natalii exclusive.”
“Oh.” Of course. This was business.
Elena cocked her head. “Well? You wish, perhaps, to explain to me why that Hunter creature thinks you two are an item? I was informed today that, after I left the event, she spread the word that you and she planned to do considerably more than look at her photo collection last night.”
“She’s full of crap. I didn’t speak to her again for the rest of the night.”
Elena studied her. Then nodded. “I see.”
“It’s a stupid lie. Why would I want to be with her when all I want is to be with you?” She couldn’t go on like this, with so much left unspoken. It was time to lay their cards down. “But if you want that too, even if it’s not now but later, I need you to say it, because I’m really not good at guessing. Not with this. Not with all the hints in the world. I need it spelt out.”
“I thought you could read my mind,” Elena said, eyes half-lidded. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“On many things. Work things.” Maddie folded her hands in her lap to hide their tremble. “On this, it’s different. I need to know. Have I misunderstood? Do you want more from me?”
“I am getting a divorce,” Elena said, her tone flat. “It will be messy. There will be press…and now, accusations levelled…” She faded out with a look of dissatisfaction. “I really don’t want to muddy things.”
“Oh.” Maddie suddenly felt ridiculous. So Elena had just been flirting with her, nothing more. She was a little bit of fun to tease. And, occasionally, Elena got a little territorial, but she wasn’t about to risk anything for Maddie. She wouldn’t dare jeopardise her standing. Actually, Maddie knew this already. In her heart, she knew. She’d been fooling herself. Nothing like hearing that out loud to punch a person in the gut.
“So,” Maddie said, praying her voice would stay steady, “all of this was, what, a bit of fun for you? Do you even like women that way?” The trembling increased, and she balled her hands into tight fists.
Elena eyed her. “Aren’t you bold?” She sighed.
Maddie wished she’d just put her out of her misery. A single bullet between the eyes would be better than this. Faster, too. She looked down. “Okay, well, I get it. Finally. Let’s just forget that I ever said anything, and we can go our separate—”
“You are an intriguing woman, Madeleine.”
Maddie’s head snapped up.
“Smart, unique, and talented,” Elena continued. “You create art with words and food. I told you once, I appreciate beauty…” Her gaze slid over Maddie’s body. “In all its forms.”
Maddie tensed, waiting for the “but”.
“Anyone should be proud to date you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Including me.”
Maddie’s eyes flashed open. “What?”
“But not now.”
She stared at Elena, startled.
“I thought I was quite clear. At the Duchamp show? I was openly appreciative. I assure you I have never…done that with anyone before. But you are inspiring. You robbed my lungs of breath on that catwalk. You were a revelation. Honestly, can you truly not read my mind on this? How much I desire you?”
“I didn’t want to be wrong.” Maddie spread her hands. “You’re Elena Bartell! And I’m just…” She glanced at herself. “I’m just the woman with a hangover, who thought she’d blown it.”
“I do know the feeling.” Elena gave her a rueful look. “On both counts.”
Now that she said it, Maddie could see the tiredness around Elena’s eyes that no amount of make-up could entirely hide.
Elena rose from the sofa, and Maddie scrambled to her feet.
“I know it hasn’t been an hour, but I really am on deadline. Would you mind telling Natalii I have…satisfied you?” Her eyes crinkled with amusement.
“Only if you promise to actually do so later.” Maddie grinned at her own audacity.
“Really, Madeleine.” Elena tsked and took a step closer. “I believe you’re flirting with me.”
