Page 62 of Meet Your Match
“I guess, but—”
“Sowhatis the problem?”
“He’s a hockey player!” I said, exasperated, my hands jutting toward her. “Just like you said. He’s aplayer. Period. I’ve literally seen him sandwiched between two women in a crowd of people. If I wasn’t there, he would have taken them both home.”
“But youwerethere,” Livia said.
And that was it.
That was her whole argument.
I had been there, and so Vince had left those girls dancing by themselves in the bar — all to chase after me.
I sighed, shaking my head as I sat back and drained my cocktail. I didn’t care that it was lunch and I had more work to do. I ordered another one. My heart was thumping in my ears, a panic attack rising.
“Are Reya and Camilla mad?”
“No,” I said on a laugh. “They’re tickled pink. But that doesn’t make it any less professional. I mean, let’s be honest, Livia — how many people are going to think I only got this gig because Vince Tanev wants to fuck me now? How many people are going to say that I was lucky, that I got plucked from the crowd of females desperate for his attention?” I paused, my voice softer when I added, “You should see the comments already. They’re awful.”
“Who gives a fuck what anyone on the Internet thinks or says?”
“It’s mycareer,” I said. “I just… I don’t want this to be what I’m remembered for. And besides, even if I did entertain whatever it is he’s offering. Which I’m not,” I added pointedly. “He’s a playboy, Liv. He can have whoever and do whatever he wants. What do I honestly expect?”
Livia’s eyes softened in understanding. “This is about James.”
I blinked, that panic that had been simmering under the surface boiling over now.
“No,” I said, but the admission was so weak not even I believed it.
“Oh, babe.” Livia leaned forward, wrapping her hand around my wrist on the table with a gentle squeeze. “Vince is not James.”
“He’s not that much different.”
That made Livia quiet, like she wanted to argue but wasn’t sure she had a leg to stand on. Because just like Vince, James had been an athlete. Just like Vince, Jameshad been charming, and magnetic, and easy to fall for. And just like Vince, James was rich, from an affluent family, with certain expectations of who he should be with.
“He called me.”
“Who?”
I flattened my lips when I looked at her, but it was actual surprise on her face when she damn near choked on her cocktail.
“James? How? Didn’t you block his number?”
“He got a new one,” I said flatly. “Don’t worry — I blocked it, too. But not before he rattled me and gave me his unwarranted advice.”
“Hewhatnow?”
I sat up straighter, using my straw wrapper to make a mustache like the one James sported now. Then, in my best impression, I said, “Look, I understand how guys likehim tick. I also know you’ve worked your ass off to get where you are.”
“No he didnot—”
“I just don’t want you to jeopardize your career because he’s spinning all the right webs and saying all the right things.”
Just like mine had, Livia’s jaw hit the table, and she slow blinked twice before letting out a menacing laugh. She dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin before tossing it on the table. “Alright. That’s it. I hope that prick is enjoying breathing today, because he won’t be soon.”
She acted like she was about to stand and go find James, like she was my knight in shining armor. I tried to laugh, but it fell flat, and Livia frowned before reaching across the table to squeeze my arm again.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
