“Oh! That’s exciting. Does James know you’re going?” he asks.
“I haven’t seen him.” I shrug. “I was told to go by my mother, so I figured if he goes too then I’ll see him there.”
He looks Ash up and down. “Interesting.”
She looks down at her band T-shirt then back at him. “What?”
“Oh nothing. I just can’t wait to see what you all look like when you get there.” Ryder slides his hands into his pockets. Jaz sips her coffee while her eyes dart from Ryder to Ashlyn.
I clear my throat. “Do you happen to know why he isn’t back yet?”
Ryder’s head snaps over to me. His lips turn up in a grimace, his hand pulling on his neck. “Uh, he’s still doing business stuff. I don’t really know the details.” Ash elbows him in the ribs and Ryder pretends to be severely wounded. “What! It’s best if James tells her. It will come across a lot better. Plus, I enjoy my balls right where they are, thank you.”
Ashlyn glares at him, but the second he starts battinghis lashes at her, she giggles and smacks his arm. “Quit that shit,” she says.
“Why? Afraid you might fall in love with me?” Ryder asks. My eyes are flitting back and forth, waiting for them to make out already. Ryder slides the tips of his fingers up Ashlyn’s arm. I watch her suck in a breath before she bats him away.
Her walls slam down and the sly attitude comes out. Arms crossed, smirk in place, and determination in her eyes. The armor I’ve watched her wear for years, ever since the night that destroyed her heart and her ideas of love and soulmates vanished. I deflate.Nothing will be happening between these two anytime soon.
She taps his nose. “Not a chance. Don’t worry, it’s inevitable for you to fall, they all do. I’ll try to be gentle whenyourheart breaks.”
I’m about to pull her away, but Ryder beats me to it. A flash of hurt crosses his eyes, but he too shoves walls into place, like it never happened. “Ah, my heart can’t break, dear. I lost it a long time ago.” He backs towards the door. “I’ll see you beautiful ladies at the ball!” He blows us a kiss, closing the door softly on his way out.
Jaz claps her hands together. “We better get to work. We can’t go to the ball dressed like this.” She waves her hand at our pizza and coffee outfits that consist of cozy sweats. I frown, picking at my sweater.Ugh, she’s right.
I look over at Ashlyn, whose smile is so big it’s mirroring a kid on Christmas morning. She’s in herelement, and I’m going to be plucked and glitter bombed until I run away.
I walk towards her, accepting my fate.
She and Jaz start giggling, and I pretend to roll my eyes, even with a smile tugging at my lips.
“Let’s go then.”
CHAPTER 22
James
The meetingwith Collins took a lot longer than I had hoped. It’s technically still not finished. I threw an envelope of legal documents at him after hours of that shit show. Collins has a lot of house cleaning to do at his company, and I don’t have the time or care to witness it all.
Alester checked all of our contracts and most have a clause that they can’t just jump ship without cause and notice. He also found a bunch of legal problems within the Collins and Sons company, so he added those to the envelope for fun. By the time I got to the apartment building I needed to get changed and get to the ball. I was hoping I could convince Alex to come, but she wasn’t there. Just a note on the counter that said, ‘See you soon.’
I sent her a couple texts, but they’ve all gone unanswered.
The Fireside Ball is just a massive event where peoplewith money can flaunt around comparing dicks as they overbid on items for auction. The only reason I’m here and not chasing after Alex is because Ryder and Alester demanded it’s good for the company to show ourselves and mingle with the clients that will be present. I also don’t mind donating, since all proceeds go to the local fire department and helping orphaned children in the area.
Ryder is already following around the servers carrying snacks trying to take an entire tray. I shake my head at him and scan the room for Alester. He’s seated at our table, waiting for the auction, as an elderly woman leans close, talking his ear off.
I laugh to myself as I continue scanning the room. A few clients are sprinkled around the room, big names that fill our books for years and allow us to take on smaller clients at a discounted rate, like Family Farms. I’ll have to mingle with them after the auction.
The door to the auction room slams open, causing half the room to look towards the ruckus, and I turn to take in the scene as well. I chuckle to myself as I see Ashlyn stomping through the door in a silver dress with her heels so high I’m impressed she doesn’t break her ankle. Jaz follows behind her in a navy dress, waving awkwardly at the people watching. I crane my neck waiting for the third in the trio, my Alexandra.
Her fingertips gently push the door open. I watch her black-studded heels step through as my eyes travel from her toes up her toned legs showing through thethigh high slit in her bright red dress. I hold my breath as I take in the mesh dip between her breasts going almost to her stomach. Her cleavage is on display demanding to be worshipped, but only by me.
I make my way across the room to her. Her long brown hair is styled in loose curls over one shoulder, and her eyes are latched on my body, eating me up with the same fire I have burning for her.Fuck the ball. I want to take her out of here now.
I stop just shy of pulling her body flush against mine, but barely.
Alex bats her long lashes at me. “God, how am I supposed to focus when you look like that?” She bites her lip, and I have to fight the urge to scoop her in my arms and haul her out of here like the caveman I am.
