Groaning, she opened the door, motioning for me to go inside.
Chapter Four
Drea
There were countless other things I could think of that I would rather do instead of attending this meeting with Blair.For example, getting a pap smear from Edward Scissorhands came to mind.
I agreed to this? I was really about to work with Blair Sterling again? The last time I worked with her was torturous.
She was arrogant and overbearing, and nothing I did made her happy. Finally, I put Kaia in charge, and told her to give the princess whatever she wanted.
I tried to be friendly, and I strived to create a relaxing environment for anyone I handled business with, but she wouldn’t know “friendly” if it bit her in her perfect round ass!
The store wasn’t in any sort of major financial trouble, but it wasn’t doing as well as it had been the previous years, and I wanted to do something to get it back on track.
Unfortunately, working with a pain-in-the-ass best-selling author was my only option at the moment.
I’d wanted to throw my pickleball paddle at Cara when she’d mentioned it. I almost did, actually. She knew I couldn’t stand the woman, but she pointed out the fact that I kind of owed her, so I really couldn’t say no.
Before Fallon met Mackenzie, I tried to set her up with Cara, and it sort of worked. They went on a date that ended horribly when Mackenzie also happened to be there and ruined it in the only way Mackenzie knew how at the time—by letting her jealously get the best of her and embarrassing both Fallon and Cara in the process.
This was when Fallon and Mackenzie were just keeping things casual, but it turned out that Mackenzie also went out with Cara. Small world. Also, those two wouldn’t have known casual if it stared them in the face.
From the moment I saw them together, I knew they were lying to each other just as much as they were lying to us.
Mackenzie used to be a serial one-night stander like me, but one look at Fallon and that life was out the window. As for Fallon, sheneverslept around, so I knew nothing about them was actually casual.
After the whole thing, I talked to Cara, and she was surprisingly okay with everything. She was laid back and understood that these things happened, but I felt like I owed her for unintentionally putting her in that weird situation.
I shouldn’t have pressured her so much into asking Fallon out. Luckily, it all worked out for everyone involved, except for me.
Because there I was, roughly thirty-three days into my sexless year, and I was forced to work with the last person I wanted to.
At least I wouldn’t have to worry about breaking my promise. Even if I was drunk and she was the last woman on Earth, I would never have sex with Blair freaking Sterling.
Her ears must have been burning, because the bell above the door chimed, and when I looked up, my entire body tensed for a multitude of reasons. It had been over a year since the last time I’d seen her, but not a lot had changed.
Her strawberry-blonde hair was still in long waves, but she’d replaced her studded nose ring for a golden hoop.That’s new.
Hazel eyes stared back at me with intensity. Her sun-kissed olive skin was surrounded by a cream-colored off-the-shoulder sweater dress so tight I had to clear my throat in hopes of erasing the dryness that had crept its way in.
“Are you going to go say hello, or do you plan on just staring at them all morning?”
I jumped, turning my head to see Kaia’s arched eyebrow. To be honest, I had forgotten she was standing there.
I scowled, trying to cover how red my cheeks were getting. “I was hoping if I stared hard enough, she’d get scared and leave.”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “You wish. Go be a professional boss lady!” She nudged my side and I groaned. I didn’t want to.
“Good morning.” I smiled tightly as I walked toward Blair, with Cara following a step behind.
“Morning, Dre. I got you a chai latte, your favorite.”
“Thanks, Cara. Hello, Blair, you’re looking nice.” It was the best I could do. It was too early to deal with her, and she did look nice. Really nice.
I had to admit, for a pain in my ass, she was gorgeous.That’s just the dry spell talking. Pull it together!
She looked at me with narrowed brows. “You drink chai?”
