Fashioned for Power Read Online Free Page B

know, Jasper has been asking about you. I think you’ve made an impression on him.”
    “Jasper?” Allegra felt her eyes widen. There was nothing wrong with Jasper. He was just anti-social. She couldn’t imagine sitting through a date with him. “He barely said three words to me at Blythe’s.”
    “Then those three words must have left quite the impression.” Asher licked his bottom lip and smirked. Allegra rolled her eyes and playfully smacked his arm.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need a moment, Allegra.”
    Allegra stiffened at the voice behind her and the hand that cupped her elbow. Finn. She flushed with shame at the way she’d treated him. She just didn’t know how she was going to say she was sorry. What she had done was unforgivable.
    “You are interrupting,” Asher said coldly in her defense.
    Allegra put her hand on Asher’s arm. “It’s okay, Asher. I need to talk to him as well. It was so good seeing you. Will I see you at Fashion Week?”
    “Models, parties, you . . . nothing would keep me away.” He winked.
    “Good. I’ll send you an invitation to my party. See you then.” Allegra watched Asher shoot Finn a warning glare and then walk off down the sidewalk.
     
    “Who was that prick?” Finn asked with barely controlled anger.
    “That’s none of your business,” Allegra shot back. Finn felt her anger and knew he’d messed up. He had come to convince her to trust him enough to tell him what was going on, then he came in here and ruined it. But, when he saw that man looking at her like that . . .
    “He wants to sleep with you.”
    “Of course he does. Asher wants to sleep with everyone. Well, maybe not you.”
    “And yet you invite him to your fashion party? I don’t like him.”
    “I don’t care what you like, Finn. Actually, he was telling me about someone else interested in me. The more important question is why are you being like this?” Allegra asked.
    It was a good question. He’d spent the whole weekend trying to forget her—trying to get her out of his mind. But she wasn’t going anywhere. He knew the second he looked at her he should run and protect his heart. But when her eyes met his, he knew there was no way he could walk away.
    “Because I care about you, Allegra. I’m sorry, but I want what is best for you. And he’s not it.”
    “And what’s best for me?” Allegra asked. He thought he heard the hope in the question. Could she care?
    “Leggy!”
    Dear God, not another guy. Finn saw a tall man with gelled brown hair rush up to Allegra and wrap her in a huge hug. Allegra’s face lit with joy as she clung to him. Finn felt his heart drop. This man was different from Asher. This was a man she cared about. This was why she was trying to warn him off. She was taken.
    “We’ll talk later, Allegra. Just remember, I’ll always be a friend to you if you need me,” Finn said quietly once the man finally put Allegra down.
    “Wait—” Allegra started to say, but Finn couldn’t take the pain of seeing her in this man’s arms.
    “I have a meeting with Kane Royale. I have some deals lined up for him. I’ll talk to you later.” Finn left the happy couple embracing on the sidewalk and headed for his office. He would have to work to wipe her from his memory, but he didn’t think he would be able to. Her name was already engraved on his soul. She was happy, and that was the most important thing. He just wished she were happy with him.
     
    Allegra watched Finn walk into Simpson Global. His back was stiff, and she felt the pain from the argument. She desperately wanted to run to him—tell him she loved him. But her emotions were all over the place. She felt free from her tormentor, but was she really? And what was with Finn’s attitude?
    “Did I interrupt something there?”
    “Oh, Nate! I’m so glad you’re here. I have so much to tell you.”
    Her best friend smiled at her and gave her a wink. “I do, too. Guess who landed the lead in the next summer