Ha. I don’t tell her that I have no intention of finding someone, special or not, because The Quattuor Group is going to do it for me.
“If it happens one day, great,” I say. “I’m not going to hold my breath.”
“Would you see this business associate again if he asked? Because I heard he was hot, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
My cheeks go hot. “Sure. Maybe. If he asked.”
She taps her fingers excitedly on the vanity. “Do you think he’ll ask?”
I shrug, and thankfully the topic changes as I continue with her hair. I don’t want to keep things from my friend, but I’m also not ready to tell her what I’m up to. I don’t want her to look at me differently for essentially whoring myself out. I already feel like a desperate woman, but I don’t want my friend to think of me that way. The only thing that makes me feel better is knowing that I’m not doing this for myself, that I’m doing it for Nana.
The sound of my cell phone ringtone pulls me from my thoughts. Plucking it from my back pocket, I groan inwardly to see my father’s name on the screen.
“Is it him?” Cleo asks excitedly.
“It’s my dad. Ugh. Sorry, I have to take this.”
She nods and rummages through her makeup bag as I cross the room and let myself out onto her balcony.
“I heard you went on a date with Nate Windemere,” my father says as soon as I answer. I didn’t even have time to greet him, not that I wanted to.
Shit. Am I in trouble now? “It wasn’t a date, Dad. We were just…talking.”
As usual, my dad doesn’t even listen to me. “Good work, sweetheart. I didn’t think you had it in you, but I’m happy you took the initiative. You keep working that man,you hear me? Whatever he wants from you, just give it to him, no questions asked. I’m sure you can use your feminine wiles to get our contract reinstated.”
Bile burns the base of my throat. “That’s not going to happen.”
“The hell it’s not. Don’t be naïve. Why else would he take you out? He’s giving you a chance to fix the situation. That body of yours might save us, after all.”
My finger can’t hit the button to end the call fast enough. Pulling a hard breath through my nose, I give myself a minute before going back inside.
“You know, you should call that ‘business associate’ of yours and get him to agree to a double date,” Cleo says brightly. “You never know. It might turn into something amazing.”
I begin twisting her long hair on top of her head, mindful I don’t twist too hard in my frustration. I just want a normal life again. Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards.
“Double date? Ha, yeah,” I say. “We’ll see. You never know.”
Right. A double date, knowing that my father is watching my every move, hoping I’ll ‘take the initiative’ and use my body to generate income? No way in hell is that happening.
18
PIPER-LILY
Nate is standingin my living room when I get back to my apartment. Arms crossed over his firm chest, eyes flashing darkly as I enter.
I’m startled to find him there, but then I remember that he owns this place, and he can go wherever he likes.
“Where the hell have you been?” he barks.
“I need a bodyguard!” I snap at the same time.
Our words tangle and a beat of silence follows in which we simply stare at one another. It’s been a very long day. My nerves are shot, and I’m exhausted. I love Cleo to death but sending her off on her date all dolled up in her Stella McCartney outfit and Louboutins left a sour taste in my mouth. All I want to do is take a bath and crawl into bed.
Nate’s eyes narrow, unrelenting. “I asked you a question.”
“Where have I been all day? Or just tonight?”
“You came home and then you left again. Where did you go?”
