Page 26 of Arrogant and Merciless

I don’t like people who can’t take no for an answer.

“No” is an absolute concept and says it all. Insisting just makes the other person annoyed, or worse, makes them despise you—or both.

It’s not only how unbearably persistent he is, though, that convinces me there’ll never be anything between us; I also realized I made a mistake letting William kiss me. All other men now seem dull in comparison. None can make my knees go weak and my heart race.

“Life isn’t just about work, Taylor,” he says, and I’m on the verge of hurling the cocktail shaker I’m drying straight at his head. Patience is not one of my virtues.

“Okay, Todd, that’s enough. If you ask Taylor out one more time, I won’t just see it as flirting—I’ll report you to the manager for harassment. She’s clearly uncomfortable, and just so you take note for the future: a woman’s silence, as well as the magic word ‘no,’ should always be enough. Now go take care of your own tables.”

He looks at Jackie like he wants to kill her, but there aren’t many humans, male or female, brave enough to go toe-to-toe with her. She’s tough and doesn’t back down from anyone.

“You need to be more direct, girl,” she says once he walks away.

“I thought I was. I said no to him three times tonight, not counting all the other invitations I turned down during the week.”

She comes behind the bar and stops next to me. “Is the problem that you’re not attracted to him, or is it that you can’t forget that hot doctor?” she asks.

I told her about William without revealing that he’s Mrs. Maryann’s grandson, though I think Jackie has her suspicions. I needed to get it off my chest with someone.

“Both.”

“You shouldn’t have been so friendly with him.”

“I know, but I thought he was cute and nice. Turned out he’s cute and nice but also super annoying.”

“Did you really consider accepting his invite?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to be the jilted woman pining over a man who thinks the worst of me. Besides, even if William thought I was the best person in the world, we’d still be incompatible. Apart from being filthy rich and experienced, he’s already made it crystal clear what he expects from a ‘relationship’—if you can even call taking someone to bed a relationship.”

“The next time a man shows up and you two don’t click, run before you start feeling anything. It’s the best way to protect your heart.”

“I’m not sure it’s about the heart. I just?—”

“Sweetie, listen to someone whose heart got stomped on. You’ve fallen in love with that guy, even if you haven’t realized it yet. And if your gut tells you it’s a bad idea, don’t push it.”

“It wasn’t my intuition that told me—he did. William was honest about his intentions.” I sigh and put the cocktail shaker back on the shelf. “What I really need is to have fun. I don’t want to go to that party with Todd, but I’ll accept your club invite.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Today marks eight months since my dad’s death, and I don’t want to be alone at home.”

“I’m so sorry, Taylor. I know that pain never really goes away. I still miss my mom, and I was a teenager when she passed. But if you do want to have fun, let’s go out. You can crash at my place, and we’ll go home together.”

Normally, I’d say thanks but no, but lately I keep getting this feeling someone’s following me, so I nod in agreement.

“How’d you manage to get us in there? No offense, but I heard that club is one of the hardest to get into in Manhattan.”

“It is. Turns out I made out with one of the bouncers there a while back. He’s let me in more than once.”

“And we won’t risk getting turned away? I don’t want the humiliation.”

“Nope, don’t worry. I’ve gone with friends, too. Now stop worrying so much. Let’s go enjoy the Big Apple’s nightlife and pretend we’re gorgeous and wealthy. I mean, we are gorgeous, but the rich part will have to stay a fantasy.”

“I don’t have clothes, shoes, anything. I’ll have to run home first.”

“What size shoe do you wear?”

“Seven and a half.”

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