Page 21 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
SEVEN
Liam
So she’s still pissed, obviously.It’s the only explanation for the death glare she shot me before walking away. I thought, for a moment, everything was okay. It was all just water under the bridge even, but I guess she hasn’t forgiven me. What I did back then was shitty, and I wish I could take it back. But if I did, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
When I came out of the office and saw her for the first time in nearly two decades, my body instantly reacted to the sight of her. Her golden blonde hair was sitting just above her breasts and her face was flushed pink. The heart of pale skin and cleavage that was visible from her low-cut sweater had me salivating. I never wanted anything as bad as I did then, to grip her waist between my hands and pull her close enough to bend over and press a gentle kiss right on the top of her ivory breast. And the way her face lit up after I said her name,fuck.
I still wasn’t prepared for what it would feel like when I touched her. She felt soft, and warm, yet her touch burned me, almost in a warning,let go. A spark flew through me when I noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring on any finger. I think she felt it, too, because she didn’t break eye contact once. Not until I backed away, inserting the necessary space between us. I don’t hold hands with anyone, ever, but it was a battle to pull away from her, to let her hand go.
It’s going to be a long six weeks with her as my next door neighbor.Shit. Just as I’m debating finding a hotel in town for an extended stay, Tori bursts back into the office. Ginger ale and saltines in hand.
“Is she still in the bathroom?” Tori asks in a whisper.
“No, I gave her the keys. She left,” I tell her, then watch her face fall.
“Are you kidding me, William?!? I just spent two hours selling her on Broken Ridge, and you’ve just screwed me.” She’s pissed now.
“Tori, she was never going to buy here. You don’t know her. You don’t know what she’s like, okay? It was never even a remote possibility, and if you would have just followed my order, you wouldn’t have wasted two hours ofherprecious time.”
“So you know her?” Tori perks at this tidbit of information, like a dog with a bone. That was a mistake.
“I just know her type, that’s all,” I say, trying to cover my tracks. God, I can’t wait to get this woman out of my life. “Can you lock the front door and come back to my office, please? We need to talk.” I’m trying to keep my tone firm, and even a little somber, hoping she doesn’t get the wrong idea.
“Yes, sir,” Tori says with a cheeky smile on her face. Of course, she thinks I’m taking her to my office for a little afternoon delight. I rub my temples and close my eyes.This fucking day.
“Okay, you know what, no. I’ll just do this here,” I say, and Tori’s eyes go wide with excitement and anticipation.
“Ooh, I like the idea of getting caught, baby,” Tori says in her seductive voice that I find anything but. She moves towards me to grab my tie and I lurch away from her. I put my hand up, trying my best to make my intent clear.
“You’re not understanding, Tori. I’m letting you go. The MS Group is terminating your contract, effective today. We’ll offer you a severance package, which Gina will reach out to you about to get some signatures.” There, it’s done, I hope.
“Babe, are you firing me so we can be together?!” Tori asks excitedly. She looks like she might start clapping her hands together any minute now.
Not a fucking chance, is what I’m thinking, but instead I say, “No. Definitely not. We appreciate the last two years and the amount of work you’ve done here, and for which we fairly compensated you. However, Broken Ridge is closing up its sales office. We no longer have a need for your services. That’s all this is, Tori. I think you’ll find the severance packageverygenerous.”
Something like realization is starting to make its way on to her face.
“So, what about you and me then?”
“Tori, there is no ‘you and me.’” I’m nervous after I make this statement. I never know what the hell to expect from her. She might slash my tires, or just walk away…then come back to burn this whole place down. You just never know.
She lifts her chin up indignantly, “Matt won’t let you fire me.” She’s already over the part where I told her there is no ‘us,’ which doesn’t surprise me. I don’t think she ever really liked or cared forme. Just my money.
“Matt has already approved your termination.”Continue standing your ground, Liam.My last statement has well and truly shocked her. I think she thinks that everyone’s buying what she’s putting out there, but we see through it. I’ve been in this business since I was 17, so I know a thing or two about snakes. I do hate to admit that I was blind to her intentions for as long as I was, though.
“Well then…FUCK YOU!” she screams at me. Yep, here we go. “FUCK YOU!” She pauses briefly, “AND YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER TOO!”
She’s in full tantrum mode now, stomping her feet, flailing her hands. I wonder if people in the cafe can hear her. Who am I kidding? People five miles away probably heard that. I just stand there, not responding. She wants a fight and I won’t give it to her. I just don’t care about her in the slightest, definitely not enough to dothiswith her.
She’s fuming, face red as a pepper, and for a moment I swear I see steam coming out her ears. In a deathly low and deep voice, she tells me, “You’ll regret this, William.” Then she turns to make her way to the cabinets where she grabs her bag and keys. Once she gets to the door, I call out after her.
“Make sure to read over the severance paperwork real well, Tori. There’s quite a few stipulations that would void the contract.”
She turns back towards me, and her only response is a wild scream, “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Her wrath is directed entirely at me. But then she turns and walks out the door.Finally.
I immediately pull out my phone and call Niko. He picks up on the second ring,“How’d she take it?”
“How do you think she took it?” I respond in a scalding voice.
