I grab my drink and down half of it in one gulp that almost makes me choke. Not how anyone should relish a thirty-dollar craft cocktail, but hell, I needed a boost.
“A couple days ago, my boss had a meeting with a man. Harry Jay,” I say. “He works in property investment.”
Brady tilts his head. “Think I’ve heard the name. Made a big splash in real estate, didn’t he? I remember he was involved in that pier renovation along the waterfront. I never wanted to touch that game.”
“That’s smart.”
“So, what about Harry Jay and your boss?”
I try—I really do—to keep my fury under wraps. But it’s impossible, because my ex gives me that imminent-spider feeling.
“He wants to invest in our clinic. It’s a high-risk situation with debt, and he’s the only kind of investor my boss could find,” I say. “But really, he’s not looking to help us keep the lights on. I think he just wants the land Pawsome Hearts is on. You’ve seen it—this big piece of property that’s gotten rare. Very few small businesses own a plot like that outright. Dr. Ezzie bought it back when things were cheap. But it’s been a struggle the last few years. She’s having a hard time keepingup for personal reasons. I just know that shithawk’s swooping in while we’re wounded and bleeding to—sorry.” I catch myself, taking another violent swig of my drink.
“Shithawk. I like it.”
“It’s true. The land is—I don’t know how much it’s worth, but it’s valuable.”
“A pretty penny,” he offers with a nod.
“Right. And Harry, he’s—he’s the worst kind of creep. A freak who enjoys humiliating people.” There it is: my anger boiling over in hot, vicious words.
At this point, I don’t know when I’ll ever be over him, and that’s embarrassing. Even on this not-date.
Brady’s eyebrows go up.
“Forget the last part. There’s a reason I don’t normally do the midweek-drinking thing,” I lie.
The clear blue of Brady’s eyes hardens into ice as he stares at me.
“You know him,” he growls. It’s not a question.
“... We might’ve dated in college.” The confession comes out in a rush. My face isburning.
“Shit,” he rasps.
“It’s whatever. Let’s just say it didn’t end well. He’s a raging asshole. It was years ago, and I thought I was done with that chapter, but now he’s coming in hot to ruin my life again. So yeah, it’s personal and I’m a little bitter.”
I don’t realize I’m almost breathless until Brady lays his hand on my arm. He orders a couple glasses of water from the bartender.
“Have you told your boss about him?”
My breath shudders on its way out. “I tried, but she’s hard up. Desperate almost.”
What is happening?
I didn’t think Brady’s thick palm could feel this good on my skin. He still carries himself like a massive prick, but tonight he’s being human.
“Hey.” He’s suddenly moving closer, his fingers twined with mine, and that’s when I realize I’m crying. My hands are trembling.
My vision blurs, and I suck in another shaky breath.
Holy hell, I’m ready to shrivel up and die from shame.
If only I’d stuck to coffee.
“Come here,” he says gently, and it’s so easy to let him tilt me forward until I’m in his arms.
That musky ocean smell is a welcome distraction. It teleports me to a peaceful place with clear blue skies, far from the ugly grey clouds of bad memories hanging over Seattle.
