Page 21 of Forty, Flirty & F*cked

ARIANA: We can discuss you and your un-special pancakes after I determine whether or not I can still pay my rent, Mr. Reeves

ARIANA: For now, let’s just maintain some professional distance, okay?

Within seconds, I see that she’s silenced her notifications.

I blink.

No one has delivered me a “no” this fast before. Then again, no one else in the world could call themselves “my wife.”

I slide a hand down my face, wondering just what the hell I’m going to do about Ariana Bristol. About this whole Vegas debacle.

My jaw clenches as I go over the options in my head.

I’ve never backed down from a challenge. And I’m not going to start now.

Time to do a little research on Ms. Bristol.

Time to re-take control.

7

SOMETHING BLUE (AND SLIGHTLY HUNGOVER)

ARIANA

Clearwater Tech's headquarters looks exactly like you'd expect a multibillion dollar cloud computing company’s lair to look: forty stories of glass and steel rising into Seattle's rainy skyline like some architectural middle finger to gravity. It's the kind of building that makes you feel underdressed just looking at it.

Though technically, I'm not sure what the proper dress code is for showing up to interview for PR Director at Clearwater Tech right after you’ve been involved in your own royal public relations fuck-up.

I adjust my blazer in Clearwater's gleaming lobby mirror, checking for any evidence of my recent life choices.

My hand instinctively goes to my pocket where the poker chip ring sits like a guilty secret. I should have thrown it away. I definitely shouldn't have brought it to this meeting.

"Ms. Bristol?" The receptionist appears. "Mr. Franklin will be with you shortly."

I nod, reviewing what I know about Dustin Franklin, Clearwater's COO. His LinkedIn profile had been impressivelythorough—Yale MBA, former McKinsey consultant, known for aggressive expansion strategies. The kind of executive who'd appreciate my crisis management experience.

My phone buzzes.

CONNOR: How's the professional distance working out?

CONNOR: Still maintaining those boundaries?

CONNOR: By the way, your coffee choice this morning is very questionable...

I blink at the screen. How does he know about my coffee?

Before I can respond, the receptionist returns. "Ms. Bristol? Mr. Reeves will see you now."

I frown. "Mr. Reeves? I thought I was meeting with Dustin Franklin?"

"Change of plans." She gestures to the elevator. "Top floor."

Something niggles at the back of my mind as the elevator rises. I'd researched Clearwater weeks ago—their IPO preparations, their executive team, their...wait.

Wasn't the CEO's name Ryland Reeves?

The elevator opens directly into a corner office with views that would make real estate agents weep. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Seattle's skyline, the rain creating a moody backdrop for what's clearly meant to be an intimidating power play.

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