That’s why.
“Well that’s exciting!” she says as she pours the whiskey. “How’d you manage that?”
“They came knocking, and we answered the door,” he answers. I just might have to borrow some of those anti-acids from Mila.
“Well I’m not surprised at all,” she says as she passes out the shots.
“Neither am I,” I say, digging into the wings.
Rafe downs his shot, and his eyes drag over to mine.
Here we go.
“I am surprisedyoupassed it up,” he says.
I finish chewing before acknowledging him, though I don’t bother looking at him. I don’t want to lose my appetite. “It was an easy call. Waste of money.”
“Couldn’t afford it?” he asks, and my jaw tenses.
“I try to be smart about where I invest,” I answer. “I’m saving the helicopters for the next president.”
“Mm,” he nods, reaching for the drink Brynn set down in front of him. “I’m sure it’s hard having to hold back on an opportunity when you have limited resources.”
I look at him. “I’m sure it’s hard having to flex your muscles around the clock just to convince everyone in the room that you have what it takes to be there.”
Rafe opens his mouth to say something to me when Mila walks out of the bathroom. Her hair and makeup all fixed.
“I’ll do it,” she says, and I turn my attention to her.
“I’m sorry?” I ask.
“I said, I’ll do it,” she echoes. “You have yourself a deal, but I want a written contract with rules and stipulations.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a nod. Then she walks into the kitchen. Suddenly I don’t care about Rafe and his bullshit. I’m too busy taking in what just happened, and wondering if I’m in over my head.
Chapter 16
Mila
As I sit at Flame,a small bar and grill on the edge of Beverly Hills, I glance towards the door more often than I care to admit.
I’m nervous, something else I don’t really like admitting. Despite my crush on Dominic, I’ve never really gotten nervous around him before, but this time is different. For one, we have never gone on a date together. Not that this is a date. It is dinner at a posh little restaurant where celebrities go, though. The menu items cost more than what I spend on an entire week’s worth of groceries.
I’m also nervous because of the nature of this…meeting. We are going to talk about our agreement. I think I’m getting cold feet.
I could make a run for it, slip out the back door, quit my job as his housekeeper and find another waitressing job at a place across town. Somewhere he’d never go. A wine bar, maybe. Or maybe a speakeasy. One of thoseyou only know where it is if you already know where it iskind of place.
Sigh. Listen to me. Talking about uprooting my life all because of some man.
No. I have to do this. I need the money. I’m about to have a baby. God, just saying it, even if it’s only to myself, makes my head spin. I mean, I always assumed I’d be a mom one day. I also assumed that I’d be married, living in a cute little house, and in love.
I swallow hard, wishing that I could have a glass of wine when I see Dominic walking over.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says. “I was on the phone with a client who wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“That’s all right,” I tell him, standing up. I was sitting at the bar while I was waiting, but I know he reserved a table for us. “What happened?” I ask.
“He took no for an answer.”
