Page 64 of When Glitter Meets Gold

“You’re sure you don’t have plans?” He confirms one more time.

“Looking forward to seeing you are my new plans,” she says, grinning as she turns, her chestnut hair moving around her like a glistening waterfall.

He’s almost too damn scared to look over at her now. Because something inside his chest is pulling. A string around his vital organs. A signal to his brain that yet again, the girl swaying her hips as she walks away, has awoken a feeling inside of him he thought might never surface again.

27

SARA

Walter is a prick.

It took him two whole minutes to give me eye contact when I entered his office to tell him he should reconsider listening to my pitch. He’d waved me off, attempted to dismiss me several times, andjokedabout firing me before I had no choice but to tell him thatJ Vandenbergwas waiting in the next room and if we wanted to work with him, we could only do it with my idea.

His attitude had flipped so quickly, his facial expression which went from murderous to ecstatic in the blink of an eye, almost gave me whiplash.

“For the love of god Kirby, next time be more assertive if you want my attention,” he’d said, nudging me. “If I knew what a great idea this was, I would’ve given the go ahead earlier. Speak up next time.”

I was left speechless when he blamed his inability to listen on my delivery skills. I’d nodded through gritted teeth, realizing that no matter what lengths I was prepared to go to for this man, he’d never take me seriously.

I’d planned to stay a little later to tie up a few loose endsafter my week out of the office, but when five p.m. arrives, I have zero desire to stay in the same space as Walter any longer than necessary. I grab my things, and then I text Jack.

S: I’m leaving the office, do you have the paperwork?

J: I have them with me right now

J: But I’m not in my office… I thought you weren’t coming until later?

S: Long day, need to get out of here

S: I can get a cab to wherever you are?

I send the message, expecting him to give me the address of one of his restaurants or private members clubs.

J: Sure, but…I’m at home

J: Had an emergency to deal with, still dealing with actually…

S: Everything okay?

J: Yup, under control

J: I can drop the paperwork in the morning. If it’s weirdcoming here?

My fingers hover over my screen. I could simply stay at work the extra hour I planned, then swing past his office and collect the paperwork and avoid anyweirdnessthat would come from visiting the man who grazed his hands against my pussy a few hours ago, at hishome.

But then I wouldn’t get to see him, and truthfully, I wasn’t lying when I told him I was looking forward to that.

I realize that’s what I like about Jack. The way I stay honest when I’m around him. The way I can tell him exactly what I’m thinking and it doesn’t scare him off or make him mad. With Jack, it seems to do the opposite. It only seems to make him want to step up to the mark…

I’d hinted to guys in the past that I wasn’t ready to date. None of them had looked me in the eye and told me they weren’t going anywhere. They’d immediately become frustrated, before skipping out so fast they’d practically left scorch marks behind.

A part of me also wants to see how careless I can act with him. Not entirely forgiving him for yelling at me, making him prove that he isn’t all talk. Kissing him today but keeping him at arm’s length, just to see how far I can push him.

I shake my head because, no, it isn’t like that. It’s not about being careless. It’s about respecting myself because I’m no longer prepared to accept less. I didn’t spend an entire year healing to waste time on another guy who’s only skill is talking a good game.

So, I tell myself that this still isn’t a date. This is a business transaction where I happen to be visiting the home of someone who not only looks great on my application for promotion, but also feels really good to be around. Everything about going to see him tonight works in my favor.

S: It’s not weird. Just stick to the no kissing rule and everything will be fine

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