I’d never met these men until my first day on the job.
Hearing Dad tell stories about them in college didn’t compare to seeing them in real life.
If sinfully handsome was in the dictionary, these three would be the reason. “Well. I suppose I should head out. Are you almost finished for the day?” Genuine curiosity pushed the question out, along with a sudden need to keep the conversation going so I could stay longer and bask in their glory.
“Not quite.” Alexander’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Business never ends for men like us.”
“Right. Right.” I took a step back, my heart drumming so hard in my throat they could probably see my pulse from across the room.
Julian’s gaze swept over me, lingering in a delicious way that curled my hands into fists. He caught the movement and a tiny smirk lifted one side of his mouth. “You’re young yet, Harper. You should go out. Enjoy time with your friends. Have some fun for us since we’ll be stuck here most of the night.”
Maybe I’d lost my mind, but there seemed to be a suggestive flare to his words. Add in the way he looked at me and…no.
I shook the thought away. Men like them were never interested in a woman like me.
Too many curves rounded my body into a plump shape that caused most men to never give me a second glance once they looked beneath my jawline.
I might have luscious honey-brown hair that fell in gorgeous waves down my back and blue eyes that Dad always said were the most expressive he’d ever seen. I might be intelligent and hardworking, but men took one look at my body and decided I wasn’t good enough.
“Close the door on your way out.” Alexander remained motionless, but his voice carried enough weight to send me turning away with a nod.
I’d been dismissed, and I had no intention of embarrassing myself by sticking around. I hurried through the door, closing it softly behind me, and rushed down the long hallway to the receptionist’s desk near the elevator.
Bethany stared at me wide-eyed. “Harper, what happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Wavy blonde hair framed Bethany’s classically beautiful face. She glanced past me, toward Dante’s office. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” I waved off her concern. “I might not ever get used to talking to them. They’re so intimidating.”
“Oh, Dante’s not so bad.” A red flush crept up her neck, but instead of turning her skin blotchy and ugly, it accentuated herbutton nose and full lips. She fluttered a hand through her hair. “Are they coming out tonight?”
“No. They’re working late.” I regained my composure and straightened my suit jacket over my full hips.
Bethany watched me without any kind of judgment. Despite being thin and beautiful, she was one of the nicest people I’d met since coming to work here. Sheesh. I really needed to work on my judgmental attitude. Not every beautiful woman was a bitch.
It was just my unfortunate experience to have met more than my fair share of the ones who were.
Bethany stood and picked up her purse from the edge of the desk. “I might as well head home too.” She walked with me toward the elevator. “Are you coming to the Valentine’s gala this weekend?”
“I’m still deciding.” I made a face that caused Bethany to grin. “Everyone tells me it’s the best event of the year.”
“It is. It’s the one party whereeveryoneshows up. Even Alexander, I mean, Mr. Frost, is there. He never talks to anyone, but all three of them make an appearance.”
The thought of dressing up in a fancy gown and dancing in front of everyone was equal parts thrilling and horrifying.
I’d never been to a dance where I hadn’t ended up humiliated in some way. Either no one wanted to dance with me, or I was so uncomfortable in my own skin that I never left the bathroom.
I’d hoped to have a date for Valentine’s, especially if I attended the gala, but my online crush remained annoyingly silent.
Hell, maybe I should go to the gala solo. It might be fun.
Bethany and I parted ways in the lobby, each of us waving and calling out goodnight.
Lila waited for me outside, all giddy excitement and energy. City lights sparkled in her dirty blonde hair, beach waves curled to perfection.
She chatted with the valet, who looked at her with hearts in his eyes as Lila patted his shoulder and backed away. She threw her arms around me, her warm brown eyes finding mine. “Girl, are you ready for this?”
“No?” I crinkled my nose in a way that I knew annoyed her and laughed when she pouted. “Where are we going?”
“I found this great bar. You’ll love it.” Lila led me to her car, gushing the entire way about the place she’d found.
