“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, feigning a frown. “That’s actually really disappointing to hear.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What’s disappointing?”
“That you’re not bulletproof. I would’ve thought you’d be invincible, with how much my father pays you.”
“My current rate is me beingkind. If you were any other spoiled brat, I would’ve asked for much more.”
“Hmm. So I’m your favorite then?”
“Do you really search for a compliment in everything I say?”
“No.”
“You do.”
“So you agree?” I raised a brow. The grin that took over my face was impossible to hide.
He smiled as clear as day as he walked through the door of my apartment, shaking his head. “Have a good night, Rosalie.” He pronounced my name with a slight drawl, making it soundlike Ro-salie. Ilovedwhen he said my name like that. Only he could.
My face felt warm. Oh god, I wasblushing. Trying to snap out of it, I forced a smile. “I will now that you’re gone.”
“Lock this door, unless you want me sleeping on your couch.”
Quickly, I closed the door. I locked it.
CHAPTER 6
MAX
The incessant ticking of the grandfather clock attacked my ears relentlessly, each tick and tock serving as a reminder of my constant annoyance. The faint chatter of the crowd crept through the crack below the door, reminding me I was the only one who wasn’t enjoying their time.
As the minutes pressed on, I found myself tempted to shatter the glass clockface and break off its hands. Sitting in this room listening to time pass wasn’t exactly how I’d pictured spending my Friday evening, but I was here because Liam had insistedwe speak.
There were two things I hated most in this world: waiting and lying. I couldn’t stand either of them, yet both seemed to be a constant occurrence.
Liam never failed to test my patience—just as he was doing as I sat there marinating in my nerves. Thanks to the French doors, I could see him standing in the lobby with a ridiculous grin on his lips, cheering, with a short glass of what I could only assume was scotch in his hand. He was enjoying his time while doing nothing but wasting mine.
It was like watching a goldfish in a tank. He was so completely unaware of the world beyond these glass walls.
The heavy oak door swung open. Sean, one of Liam’s most trusted advisors, walked into the room, closing the door quickly behind him.
Please don’t sit next to me ...was my silent plea.
He headed straight for the chair beside me.
Of course.
A gust of air whooshed out of him as he leaned back in the plush chair, the leather creaking beneath his weight.
Great.
“Are ya meeting with him as well?” he asked, his Irish accent sharp.
I knew he’d try to make polite chitchat with me again. I didn’t do the whole talking thing—all that did was get me into messes I didn’t need to be in.
My eyes rolled over to his. It was easy for Sean to sit there with a smile almost as large as Liam’s—he had nothing to worry about.
I did.
