Free Beautiful Liars by Kylie Adams Page A

Sutton, Emma, and Finn on a massive promotional poster pulled up alongside in the right lane.
    â€œDon’t call me again,” Simone said icily. “ Ever. ”
    â€œThat’s cold, baby,” Kevon cooed.
    Simone could feel her heartbeat accelerate. “I’m not your baby.”
    â€œNot yet. Have dinner with me.We’ll see what happens.”
    â€œWhen I dream about a dinner invitation, it’s from George Clooney, not Snoop Dogg.” With that, Simone promptly disconnectedthe call and speed dialed Tilly. “You won’t believe what I just saw!” she launched without preamble. “My face on the side of a city bus to promote the show! It was such a weird sensation!”
    â€œThe important thing is to be pleased with the photograph,”Tilly said. “I’ve dealt with this so many times in my career.”
    Simone took in a quiet breath, allowing the condescendingresponse to evaporate. “Yes, but—”
    â€œAnd if you think advertising on a bus is strange,” Tilly went on, “try seeing yourself on a billboard in the middle of Times Square.”
    â€œI suppose there is no comparison,” Simone shot back, somewhat acidly.
    â€œProbably not. But I’m still thrilled for you. Finn showed me the opening show’s overnight ratings at lunch this week. It’s off to a very promising start.That’s more than I can say for my husband’s show. They just pink slipped fourteen productionstaffers. Any day now he’s going to be unemployed.”
    â€œWell, at least he has a trust fund to fall back on,” Simone said lightly. “My first paycheck disappeared instantly.”
    â€œOh, our trust funds are earmarked for the future,” Tilly remarked archly. “He still has to work. And so do I. Your problem is that you don’t budget your money.You just spend, spend, spend with no regard for fiscal discipline.”
    Simone’s grip tightened on the cellular. The nerve of this bitch! Her best friend, her enemy ... her frenemy ! “That would sound better coming from someone who wasn’t handed the deed to a fabulous Tribeca apartment.”
    â€œThat was a wedding gift,”Tilly said defensively.
    â€œA trip to Belize is a wedding gift,” Simone countered. “Being given an apartment puts you on another financial planet.”
    â€œI still budget,”Tilly argued.
    â€œI can’t talk to you about money.”
    â€œYou can’t talk to yourself about it, either. That’s why you live in a constant state of denial.”
    The cabdriver jerked to a stop in front of Simone’s building.She paid the fare and a decent tip before swinging out. “Have you ever heard of Kevon Edmonds?” She was desperateto change the subject.
    â€œIt’s pronounced Ke von ,”Tilly corrected. “And yes, I have. He’s a very successful entertainment mogul. But still a poor man’s Jay-Z. Why?”
    â€œHe accosted me at the Christian Dior boutique, and then he had the audacity to ask me out for dinner.”
    â€œYou should go,”Tilly advised.
    â€œYou’re not serious. He’s gross !”
    â€œYes, but it would be good for your career. Especially now.”
    Simone dashed into a vestibule to retrieve her mail, grimacingat the thickness of two credit card statements as she boarded the elevator. “God, I would rather be seen in public with an on-duty garbage man than Kevon Edmonds.”
    The moment Simone stepped inside her apartment, she halted, sensing something very wrong. “Chanel?” she called out.
    Nothing.
    â€œLet me call you back,” she told Tilly, hanging up as she feverishly raced from room to room, searching for her beloved cat.
    And then her cellular rang. She knew who it was. She knew what he would say, too.
    â€œLooking for something?”
    Simone’s heart sank.
    â€œI’ve got your pussy right here in my hand.” It