Page 12 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
Great. Matchmaker Poppy was rearing her ugly head. As if someone like Xavier Parker would give Sadie a second glance. Even if he did, she had a company to reclaim and rebuild, and that thirty pounds to drop. It wasn’t the right time for a relationship. But, she at least owed Xavier dinner as a thank you for helping her out. After, she’d let him out of it, and they’d go their separate ways. It would be for the best.
Chapter 8
Popping a fry in his mouth, Xavier cut a glance at Sadie. Somehow, with Poppy’s help, he’d managed to pull off having dinner alone with her. Normally, his palms would be sweating so bad he’d need a bucket of towels.
She’d called him cute, but that was in front of her ex. While he loved the compliment, he’d worked hard not to let it mean anything. He’d loved putting his arm around her, though, and how her eyes sparkled when he called her gorgeous.
“These fries are good. You sure you don’t want one?” Xavier asked. Sadie had ordered a salad, and to be honest, it was a sad, sad salad. “That salad is, um…”
Sadie grunted. “Horrible?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think other salads were calling it names before it came out.”
She laughed, and it was awesome. He’d love to hear that a lot more. “I think so too, but I kinda need to lose weight.”
“Why? You look great.”
“Yeah, you don’t need to keep that up. Buck’s not here.”
Did she really think she wasn’t attractive? Man, if nothing else, he was making it his mission to change that. “Well, personally, I think you’re beautiful.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “The thirty pounds I’ve gained since last year says otherwise.”
“Well, they should shut up. You’ve got killer curves.”
Shifting in her seat, she stabbed a few pieces of lettuce with her fork. He was evidently making her uncomfortable, and he didn’t want that.
“Topic change. What happened with Empire Designs? How did Buck get the company?” Xavier asked.
Sadie set her fork down and pushed the salad away. “Well, obviously I was thinking with my heart and not my head. I was in love with him and did everything on a handshake. I wanted to do something with the money I’d made as a gamer. Something I could show for it.”
“That’s smart.”
“Not smart enough. So, I ran with an idea I’d had and invested in Empire Designs. Getting the company set up, hiring, and bringing in clients. While I focused on the art, Buck used his connections to find clients. We were new, going against some big dogs, but we were making headway.”
“Okay, so what happened?”
“I was so busy. Buck would have me sign things; some of them I read and some I didn’t. Without realizing it, I signed the company over to him. All of it. When I found out what he’d done, I took him to court. Six months later, a judge ruled in his favor, saying I’d signed the papers knowing what I was doing.”
Xavier sat forward, his blood boiling. “What?”
Sadie shrugged. “Buck’s lawyer made the argument that there was no way I’d sign things without reading them. Plus, he had an employee lie, saying I’d been wanting out. Next thing I know, I’m broke and cut loose. I didn’t have the funds to fight it. The art I’d done stayed with the company since it was in Empire’s name. I literally had nothing.”
He shook his head. “I’m speechless. What a creep.”
“I was so mad at myself. Hurt, brokenhearted. I loved him. Trusted him. I’ve been scraping by ever since.”
“You’re getting your company back if I have to purchase Templar myself.”
Laughing, Sadie rolled her eyes. “I appreciate the sentiment.”
“I’m serious. We’re going to that conference. Whatever I need to do, you’ve got it.”
“That’s sweet. It’s just getting to the conference.” She sighed. “I’ve got some art I can sell. I didn’t want to sell them, but…my landlord doesn’t accept them as rent.” She chuckled nervously.
“I’m the one who said you’d be there, so I’ll take care of it.”
She shook her head. “No, absolutely not. I can’t accept that. You were amazing for even dealing with my craziness. You don’t have to go, either. This is me giving you an official out.”
