“Nope. I just wasn’t in a hurry. And don’t forget, no funny business, I’m only here because I love hot tubs and the sound of the ocean.”
Is she trying to convince herself or me? Rather than egg her on, I decide to keep the conversation casual and give her a reprieve.
“I’m sure it’s nice, since you’re not around it every day. But you’re lucky to have mountains in your backyard. That drive to Big Sky is amazing.”
“Yeah, but it’s easy to take the beauty for granted when you’velived around them your whole life. Honestly, I’m drawn to the ocean more at this point.”
“Makes sense. I don’t know that I’d want to be landlocked. But I’m too busy with work at this stage in my life to be attracted to either.” I shrug.
“The only thing you’re attracted to is women, right?”
I chuckle. “If that was supposed to be a dig, you have major room for improvement.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Just a statement of fact.”
“True, but you can’t tell me you’re not interested in men.” I mock with a raise of my brow.
“I am, but it’s different. I’m not into one-night stands or becoming a notch on some guy’s bedpost. I want something meaningful like my parents have.”
“How do you plan on finding that if you’re unwilling to put yourself out there and date?”
“I didn’t say anything about not dating. Obviously, it’s part of the process, but it doesn’t require sleeping with everyone. And if that’s what a guy expects, they’re not the one for me,” she says haughtily.
“Well, I’m here to tell you you’re missing out. Besides, you’re too young to be settling down.”
Her mouth drops open in disbelief. “I am not. If anything, I’m way behind. My parents were just out of high school when they got married and had kids.”
I grunt at her statement. That’s the most ridiculous notion I’ve heard. “You know, statistically speaking, 50% of marriages end in divorce, the leading cause being infidelity. Wouldn’t you rather reduce the temptation later by sowing your oats before you limit yourself to one man?”
“Is that what you’re doing, or will you be in such a habit of sleeping around that you won’t ever be able to stay faithful?”
My blood boils immediately. “I would never cheat, and I think anyone who does is scum,” I spit out.
She feigns shock. “We finally agree on something. Should we document it?”
Her sarcasm and adorable smile instantly cooled my anger. “We could seal it with a kiss.” I wink.
She puffs out a breath. “I have seriously never met a more tenacious person.”
“I didn’t make partner at my firm by being a pushover.”
“I suppose not. So why did you decide to become a divorce attorney anyway?”
“You heard a lot about my job earlier, so it’s your turn. How is real estate working out?” I ask, redirecting the conversation. I’m not about to fill her in on the shit that went into my career choice. My childhood was less than ideal, and no one wants to hear the sad story of growing up penniless, without a father. Not many people know about my shitty upbringing, because it’s best left in the past.
“It’s good. I’m helping Cici finish up a few of her deals, so I’m a little busier than usual, but that’s okay. With Cici gone, I’ve had more time on my hands anyway.”
“How long have you been doing it?” I fire off the next question.
“I started as a receptionist at a real estate firm right after high school and was hired as an assistant by an agent in the office about a year later. I got my license three years ago.”
“And it pays the bills?”
She smiles cutely. “That’s a bit personal. Is that your way of asking if I’m successful?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“It’s lucrative. I’ve partnered with a few builders who work with me exclusively to list their properties, so I’m not a struggling agent who’s barely making it. I’ve also built up a referral business, plus it helps to be in my hometown with old friends from high school who are starting to buy houses.”
