“Aren’t you glad I talked you into going out tonight?” Amelia slipped her arm through one of mine, our friend Katy the other as we headed toward the bar.
“Dinner was fun. You know I love tacos.” At least I was in a better mood than hours before. I’d spent the afternoon fuming after the asshole had left, cursing him in unknown languages to make myself feel better.
Nothing had worked until I’d had half of my first margarita. Maybe that’s because I’d continued to see dollar signs throughout the day.
I’d also continuously heard the word ‘shrew.’ Why hadn’t I been up front with the man and told him the very asshole who’d made me so… strong and independent was sitting in the seat across from me. Because I knew he wouldn’t have cared. Maybe I was hurt he didn’t remember me. When I’d walked into his office that day, I’d felt a twinge of heat between my legs.
Then he’d opened his mouth.
Just like he’d done in my office.
Sugar daddy, my ass, even if the age difference was applicable. So was the slight gray accosting his temples.
“Tacos for the win,” Katy said. “Time to stop thinking about Mr. Asshole.” She threw open the door to the festive bar before tossing her long blonde hair. I liked to call it Barbie blonde for two reasons. As a doctor, graduating from medical school at twenty-three, she was smart as a whip and often mislabeled as dumb blonde and two, everywhere we went, men fell all over her.
Not the case for me.
That was alright. I didn’t have time to think about dating.
“I’m not thinking about Mr. Asshole.” But of course, I’d yet to be able to get him off my mind. His arrogance had permanently ingrained disdain in my brain.
“Yes, you are,” they both said at the same time.
“Let’s find a table by the fountain,” Amelia stated, already pulling away and heading to the garishly decorated area on the far side of the bar. With neon signs on every wall, the location was the inspiration for the art I’d purchased for mine. In seeing the way the jerk had looked at it in amusement, I now regretted my decision.
When we were seated, she leaned over. “What’s wrong with accepting one million dollars for the company? You won’t need to deal with him. You’ll just find an actress or model with the ability to ignore his ugly ass.”
“A-hem. He might be an arrogant prick, but you can’t tell me he’s not the hottest looking man in the city.”
I glanced at Katy, lifting a single eyebrow. “That doesn’t make up for him being such a creep. He oozed of smarminess.”
“That’s not a word,” Amelia teased.
“Trust me. It’s a word. You’ll find it in the dictionary with his picture attached.”
“I’ve never seen you hate anyone so much.” Katy shook her head. “If I didn’t know you better than I do, I’d say you like him. Come on, admit it.”
“Not a chance in hell,” I huffed and flagged down the waitress walking by. “We need drinks. Now.” I felt even more embarrassed about the reasoning for my extreme hatred of the man.
My two friends were laughing. At me. “Listen to you,” Katy chortled.
“What?”
“He crawled under your skin.”
“Katy, I love you to death, but no man will ever do that. Christian Elliot proves it’s better to own a dog.” As we ordered drinks, I scanned the bar. Everyone was having a fabulous time, something I rarely did any longer. I’d sequestered myself because of work. Plus, with little money, I wouldn’t be out in South Beach tonight if the girls hadn’t insisted on giving me an early birthday present.
Five months early.
“Come on, girl. Have a drink and forget he exists. Although I will admit, I could use a raise.” Amelia laughed, but she had no idea how tempting the offer was.
The girls were right. After the initial discussions regarding the contract, I wouldn’t need to deal with him on a daily basis. I’d check in on the… relationship, of course, but I could do that over the phone. The offer was more than tempting.
It was a lifeline.
I had few other choices. Maybe I could help Donovan. I loved my brother, but he had no idea how much stress he caused in my life.
Sadly, accepting the contract with the man felt icky, as if I’d be selling a portion of my soul. However, I’d had to ask myself whether my scruples had been set a tad too high.
