“Sweetheart, this is Blushing, not the city. We don’t sue one another. We like to have a good time.”
“I see. And I’m too dull to have a good time?” I asked.
“You have too many rules. And that’s probably why you’ve been avoiding me all this time. I scare you.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m scared of you. But I would say your mere existence is frightening to all females.” I leaned back in my chair.
He let out a full-bodied laugh. “I like this game we’re playing, pussycat.”
“And I’d like to get the keys to my new car before I scratch your eyes out.”
“Listen, I know I have a reputation.” He held his hands up and smiled, and it was easy to see that the man thought he was charming as hell. He was not capable of reading the room, because he was too egotistical to see how offensive he was. “But I’d be willing to bend the rules for you. Now I don’t know about the five kids, but I’d walk down the aisle with you today if it means that much to you.”
What in the flying fuck is this man talking about?
“That’s it, Dean. I don’t think our signals are crossing here.” I stood up, because no one needed a Bronco this badly. I’d walk through the snow before I sat here one more minute. “I’m going to call this done.”
“I know you’re a virgin, Violet. I know you’re saving yourself for marriage. I know about the five kids, and it’s not something I’ve ever wanted, but I’d consider it for you.” He was on his feet now with a creepy smile on his face.
I turned around to look at him. “What in the absolute hell are you talking about? I came here for a car. What is this?”
“Don’t be mad at Charlie. He was helping his boy out. He told me about the screen saver. About all of it. And I could consider the rules, if you’d just give me a little something. A sign that you want this too.” He walked closer to me.
Charlie freaking Huxley.
He was behind this.
“Dean. If you take one more step, I will kick you so hard in the balls that you’ll be singing soprano for the rest of your days.” I held up a hand, making it clear that I did not want him to take one step closer to me.
“Tell me what you want, pussycat.” He smiled, like he was conceding to a challenge I was no part of.
“I wanted a freaking Bronco. I want you to never call me ‘pussycat’ again. I don’t want to date you. I don’t want to get married. I don’t have any desire to have five children, and I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I came here for a car. And I no longer want a car. So I’d say your sales skills are as bad as your dating skills.”
“You don’t need to be ashamed of wanting what you want, Violet. I’m okay with it,” he insisted.
I need to get out of here.
The door flew open, and his assistant walked in with the paperwork. I took the contract from her hands and tore it in half and tossed it on the desk.
“Deal’s off. You’re lucky I’m leaving without causing you physical pain, Dean.” I marched out of his office.
“What if I throw in an extra year warranty on the Bronco?” he shouted from the other side of the door, and I held my hand up and flashed him my middle finger.
I didn’t need snow tires now anyway. I’d made it through the worst of winter, and I had plenty of time to find a car before next winter.
I’d walked here because it was close to my office, but I was going to make a pit stop before I went back to work.
I knew Charlie was working at the hotel today, and I beelined for the entryway. They’d made a lot of progress on the place.
Will smiled when he saw me coming; he usually spent his mornings here and his afternoons at my place. His face straightened when he saw the look on mine. “Where’s your boss?” I hissed.
He thrust his thumb over his shoulder, and his eyes were wide. “He’s in the kitchen, getting the appliances set up.”
I nodded, and my eyes went to the bags from the Brown Bear Diner sitting on the card table. Charlie’s name was written across one of the six bags. “Great. Is this his lunch?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Will looked a little terrified of me, and I only hoped I’d put the same fear in his arrogant, jackass boss.
“I’ll take it to him.” I yanked the sub sandwich wrapped in tan parchment paper out of the bag and stormed toward the kitchen.
