“Only when I have to.” Annoyed clicks followed. “How’s life treating you?”
“Well. What about you? What are you doing?”
More clicks. “Working.”
He rubbed his chin. “On your novel?”
She snorted. “I wish.”
He rolled his eyes and scratched his eyebrow. “Why didn’t you cash the fucking check?”
“Don’t remind me about that stupid thing. I should’ve ripped it to shreds before you stuck it in my purse.” He heard tapping. She was probably tapping a pencil against something. She did that when she was upset.
He heaved a sigh. “Why?”
The tapping stopped. “’Cause I’m under a lot of stress these days, and I really didn’t need to have a fight with Kyle over it on top of everything. I was never gonna use it anyway.”
“Hold on a sec.” He held up a hand in anger. “What the fuck?” he asked slowly. “He’s got no right whatsoever—”
“Mike, I know you don’t like Kyle, just like every other guy I’ve ever dated, and I know what you’re gonna say.” She inhaled. “But it’s not true, and he’s a very good guy. You knew I wouldn’t take your money with or without him, so please, just drop it.”
She was right. He hated every prick she’d ever dated, but this one was different. He was no prick. He was…good. At least on the outside, the blond broker had his shit together. That made him hate Kyle more. Mike chewed on his bottom lip. “Fine. I’m sorry I caused this.”
“No worries. We’re all good now.”
He frowned. “Great.” Part of him hoped they weren’t all good. “Still, I wanna make amends.” He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “Why don’t you swing by the AKA tonight…both of you?”Let’s see what that cazzone is made of.
“Another party?”
“You know me. Every day is a party at my place.”
There was a long silence on the other end.
“Please.” He pleaded repeatedly like a child until she laughed.
“Fine,” she finally said, and he could feel her eyes roll. “See you tonight.”
He closed his eyes, smiling, his purpose for calling forgotten.
“You forgot to thank her,” James reminded him.
Shit. Mike shifted in the backseat as James was forever twisting the silver Rolex on his wrist, eyeing him as if he were a hobo.
“What?” Mike asked.
“You’re fuckin’ smitten.”
Scene12
Mike
When he spotted Maggie entering through the door, Mike lifted the blonde in the golden mini dress off his lap and set her on the leather couch. He winked at the blonde as he rose. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t take too long.” Her voice trailed behind him as he reached Maggie.
“Hey, bellissima.” He folded his arms around her, peering at the giant in the silver suit behind her.Shit. He really is tall, and looks even better than the fucking photos.He took his time with the embrace.
“Okay. Someone needed a hug,” she said into the cotton of Mike’s shirt.
