“Right, yeah, OK, I’ll talk to you soon, Robert.”
The line went dead.
As I pressed the button to end the call on my end, I noticed my hand shaking. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to face this head-on.
I was talking to his father, my previous boss, which was all this was. As I turned to look at the man who had my heart in a vise grip, his look almost brought me to my knees. I couldn’t have him thinking anything more was going on here.
“What was that about, Mare?” he asked.
Standing, I smoothed my skirt and reached for my coat, alerting him I was on my way out and that this would not be a long conversation.
“He was my boss for quite a few years before he left, ya know?” I didn’t mean for there to be so much bite to my words, but I was flustered. “I still set up his meetings with you, and he likes to check in sometimes.”
Chase still hadn’t removed his gaze, which was almost a glare, from me. He was processing this, but he would have to process it as I headed out. I needed space, from him, from this office. My steps were quick, and I even contemplated taking the stairs, knowing he wouldn’t follow. But forty floors were a lot to walk down. We both stopped at the elevator.
I chose not to look at him as we waited. Thankfully it arrived quickly, and as I stepped in, I expected him to join me, thinkinghe was leaving as well, but he didn’t. Instead, the doors simply closed as he walked away.
I was left with an uneasy feeling deep inside me. I had no idea what he made of the part of the conversation he had overheard. And it annoyed me. Because I finally had a night to myself, with nothing to do but cozy up on the couch and catch up on my shows, alone. Normally that would make me happy.
Unfortunately, now I simply felt alone.
CHAPTER 12
Chase
There was no way I was staying in knowing Maryellen was most likely out with that douchebag from the other night. Mitch wasn’t the best option for a night like this. He was all for Maryellen and me getting together. If I was going out on the prowl, he’d never let it happen.
Yep, I was already breaking my promise to myself about Maryellen. I was looking for a hookup tonight.
Fuck it, if she was out with someone else after my confession, I felt it was called for.
That was why Mitch didn’t get the call.
Instead, I reached out to my buddies from college who now lived in the New York area. We decided to meet at The Velvet Rope, the club Harper used to work at. It was great when she did; we got quick service and a guaranteed table. Regardless, the place was hopping, always had lit music, and was full of hot girls.
The best place for me to be tonight.
The line was wrapped around the block once we arrived, but I knew the bouncer and was able to get in the side door.
“This place looks awesome,” Ely said. “And we get to the front of the line.”
He slapped my back as we went in the side entrance.
“Wait until you see the inside,” Sam screamed. The noise level tripled once we walked in.
The two of them were wide-eyed at the place. It was impressive with its private rooms looming over the huge dance floor. There were at least four bars around the perimeter, with the DJ stand sitting above one of them.
“Holy shit, why have I never been here?” Ely asked. Turning to me. “Asshole, why haven’t you brought me here before?”
They followed me like puppies to the closest bar we could get to, and I bought us a round. With drinks in hand, we surveyed the area for a spot to claim as our own. The best I could find was a tall table with no chairs, which was fine. I didn’t plan on sitting much tonight.
I was already halfway done with my first drink by the time we grabbed the table.
“Who’s getting the first round of shots, I’m gonna need one soon,” I said.
Ely went for a walk to the bar while Sam and I checked out the scene. The music was loud and electric, which had the girls moving on the dance floor. Everywhere you looked, there was a girl trying to outdo the one next to her, whether it was with dance moves or lack of clothing.
“There are some hot ones here tonight.” Sam had to almost scream it into my ear for me to hear him.
