Page 6 of Tanner

My brothers warned me about girls like this. That’s why I decided to go to college on the opposite end of the country. Here, only those close to me know about my family and what we’re really worth.

Back home, I’m a Sexton, heir to a billion-dollar media conglomerate. I have an annual salary of a million a year, and I’m not even working yet. Here, no one knows or cares about the Sextons or the vast empire we run. On the West Coast, you can’t say our name without someone bringing up scandal, death, power, or dollar signs.

Ryan and Chris know about my family. It’s not like it’s a secret. They’re my friends and confidants; they should know where I come from. They are discreet with the information, knowing how I enjoy my anonymity. That doesn’t stop them from getting a free round or two out of me though.

I order more drinks for us and then send another over to Chris and the women he’s flirting with. He seems to have caught the attention of one of them. I give him a nod to let him know I ordered drinks for him. He raises his beer in thanks.

The blonde takes her freshly poured wine and takes a sip. “Thank you,” she says politely and then adds, “I’m not going home with you.”

“Good thing I wasn’t asking.”

Her eyes light up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Now, I’ve got her attention. “It means that I’m here, trying to make conversation, and all you can do is ignore me because I’m not dressed like a banker.”

Her jaw drops at the insult. “You make me sound like a shallow twit.”

“If the Louboutin fits.” I lean back and take a swig of my beer with a smile.

She looks down at her shoes, probably shocked I even noticed what she has on her feet. Her shoulders fall as she shakes her head. When she looks back up, it’s to plead her case. “Fine. I’m here to pick up a suit, but it’s not because I’m a wallet-chaser.”

I quirk a brow.

“Don’t look at me like that. You came into an after-hours joint, dressed like you’re going to sing karaoke. If you wanted to be noticed, you could have put on a pair of slacks.”

Despite how rude she is, she’s ridiculously adorable with the way her mouth is pursed in defiance. It’s obvious she doesn’t tell off too many people and needs some practice.

“On that note, I bid you a good night. And I hope you land the biggest douchebag in here.”

I start to turn away, but her eyes grow shockingly wide at the sight of something behind me. Her face is pale and her back straight as a rod. She grabs April’s arm to get her attention and then motions toward the door. I look in the same direction and see a group of men—in suits, of course—enter the bar.

“What is he doing here?” April speaks through a clenched jaw.

The men head straight for the bar closest to the door. While they order their drinks, I watch her as she zeroes in on a guy with jet-black hair and tan skin. His tie is off, and the top buttons of his shirt are undone. He looks like he’s been hitting the bars for a few hours and is as relaxed as a guy can be on a Thursday night.

She, on the other hand, is as frigid as a taut rubber band. If I flick her, she might snap and fly across the room.

“I’m leaving,” she says, putting her drink down.

April pulls her back. “No, you’re not. Don’t give him that satisfaction.”

She ignores her friend and starts to leave just as the group of guys begins heading in this direction. The guy with the black hair looks our way, and she stops. I don’t know if he’s seen her, but he’s walking this way. If he didn’t see her a minute ago, he will in a few.

When she notices, she turns quickly and lands right back in front of me. I see the panic in her eyes as she faces me.

“What is your name again?”

We haven’t exchanged names.

“Tanner.”

She nods as if she heard my name, but her attention still seems fixed on the man who’s just a few feet away from us.

“What did you ask me earlier?” she asks with her head turned to the side. “You come here often?”

I smirk, knowing the game she’s playing. “Not my scene. You?” I watch as her eyes roam, seeing if he’s still coming toward us.

He is.