“There she is!”
London turned, too, and was swept into a hug before she could react. “Max!”
Strong arms pulled her away from the director. Ace placed one of those arms around London’s waist and challenged Max with his eyes, but said nothing.
Max looked at Ace in surprise, as though just realizing he was standing there. Just as quickly he dismissed him.
“London, you were incredible! Sweetheart, the world is your oyster. I’ve already been on the phone. Where are your things? Let’s go. I’ve got some people I want you to meet.”
“Sorry, Max. I’ve got plans.”
“I assure you they’re not bigger than mine. Come on, limo’s waiting.”
Ace took a step toward Maxwell. London hurriedly stepped between them. “I’ve got appearances, Max. Let’s talk later, okay?”
Maxwell continued to ignore Ace. “Sure, sweetheart.”
He leaned to plant a kiss on her mouth. She turned her face. He caught a cheek. “I always knew you’d shine on the stage as well as the runway.” He turned to walk away, his goon behind him. “Call me when you finish tonight. I’ll send a car for you to join me on the Upper East Side.”
Ace watched Maxwell and his King Kong sideman disappear into the crowd. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Tyler to remove the director’s name from the invite list for all future shows. Any questions about what type of relationship Ace wanted with London had just been answered. He wanted them to be exclusive, and Maxwell Tata was the first person who needed to know.
CHAPTER 18
Tyler and his husband, Phillip, met Ace and London as they were whisked through a side door.
Tyler waylaid him. “You don’t want Maxwell Tata, practically Hollywood friggin’ royalty, at the shows? What the hell happened?”
Both Tyler and London awaited Ace’s answer as the couples slid into the waiting limo.
“I don’t want him around.”
Tyler looked at London, who shrugged, and back to Ace. “I don’t get it, man. Press follows wherever he goes. There’s even opportunity for our clothes to be worn in his movies. Or by his next blockbuster movie’s leading lady, or—”
“Look, I just don’t like him, all right? He’s seen the show. Anything else he wants to know about the line he can find online. I want that ban enforced, Dent, you got that? No team vote on this one. I’ve made up my mind.”
Tyler shook his head but said nothing further, just slunk back in the cushy leather seats, quietly grabbed his husband’s hand and watched Manhattan go by. Ace knew he’d been borderline rude to his partner. He’d even entertain the notion that his intense dislike for Maxwell Tata was unwarranted. All he knew about the guy was that he made movies and had dated London, who didn’t seem to have a problem with him coming around. Why was he so bothered? Sure, he didn’t like Maxwell’s obsession with London but it was more than that. He didn’t like Maxwell, but that wasn’t it either. Ace couldn’t explain the uncomfortable feeling. Nor could he shake it. Until he could do one or the other, he intended to keep up his guard.
After another moment of silence, London kissed his cheek and whispered, “You okay?”
He reached for her hand. “Better now.”
“Don’t let whatever happened back there ruin this moment. It was a long time coming. Try to enjoy it.”
Ace squeezed her hand. He took a deep breath, brought her hand up and kissed it.
“Sorry about my earlier attitude, man,” Ace said to Tyler. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
Tyler waved off the apology. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I owe you an explanation.”
“Another time. Tonight’s for celebrating!”
“It sure is,” Phillip exclaimed, reaching for a bottle of Dom Pérignon. “For a second there I thought we were in a funeral procession. This is supposed to be a no-holds-barred bash!”
Tyler reached over to the bar and handed everyone a flute. “Hey, I just thought about Mira. Where is she?”
“Already at the venue.”
“Oh, okay. Babe, will you do the honors?” Phillip filled the glasses. Tyler looked at Ace with a sober expression. “When you suggested a women’s line two years ago, I thought you were crazy.” He lifted his glass. “Now I’m sure of it!”