“A meeting for what?” Brad’s face shows no sign that he knows what I’m talking about.
Fucker is already a good politician.
“To discuss getting the new space for Pinstripes & Push-Ups.”
“Layla, do we have to discuss this tonight? I’m ready to leave work behind me for the night,” Brad whines.
“Then why won’t you return my calls?”
“It’s a lost cause, Layla. Let it go.”
I don’t know what I ever saw in this man. Young and starry-eyed, maybe it was because he was the first man to give me any sort of attention. I was smitten from the start.
Now I can’t believe I ever married someone who didn’t support my dreams—no matter how unconventional they are.
“Why? Just because Mrs. Bush doesn’t think I’m running a business suitable to her beliefs?”
“Because she thinks it’s improper that an unmarried woman sells lingerie. Do you know how much she complains? More than I care to listen.” Brad knocks back the rest of his cocktail.
Simon enters my line of sight. My body is so in tune with his, and I barely know him. Yet, any time he gets near me, I know it. My body senses his presence.
Which triggers a harebrained idea to enter my mind.
“And what if I’m not single?”
Brad eyes me up and down.
“Since when have you been seeing someone?”
I make sure he sees my dramatic eye roll. “And why would you know anything about my dating life?”
“Does it make a difference if you are seeing someone?”
“You tell me.” I cross my arms, not letting this man get under my skin any more than he already has. “Mrs. Bush seems to have an issue with me being single. I’m dating someone, not that it’s any ofherbusiness.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
“Simon!” I wave him over. His eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“Layla. How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.” I wrap an arm around his waist, feeling his body go stiff under my touch.
“What?”
“I was just telling Brad here how we’re dating.”
If he’s confused about what I just said, his face isn’t showing it. “Dating.”
“You’re dating her? Why would you do that?” Brad’s face is gleeful.
That gets a rise out of Simon, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me.
I’m holding my breath, waiting to see what his next move will be.
Tell me to bugger off? Or come to my rescue like a knight in shining armor?
Or punch Brad in the face?
