Page 8 of Wings of The Wraith
It was the reason why I left the Smithsonian last year, but I left too soon. It was the wrong time, and I didn’t have enough experience. I got one good contract with a new designer label and thought I’d made it big. I thought it would put me on the map, but I didn’t realize how fierce competition could be.
A year from now would be when I knew I’d be ready to spread my wings and really fly. Soar into the clouds of success.
So, I might have been lame today on my special day but it was for a good cause. That was what I would hold on to.
Next year’s birthday would be even more special and hopefully I would have accomplished all my goals.
Maybe next year I could frolic on the beach of somewhere amazing like Brazil, or The Seychelles.
Anywhere like that would do just fine. Until then I would eat more cake and suck up this year. Put it on the shelf of one of those things I had to do to get to where I wanted to be.
“Hey pretty lady.” Cooed a voice I knew all too well.
I turned around in my chair to see Darius leaning over the counter, looking at me. His hair had that just got out of bed look I liked. I would never tell him that though, nor would I tell him I thought he was uber gorgeous.
It would just make his head swell and probably fall off.
“Can I do something for you?” I smiled and tried not to blush when he looked back at me with seduction oozing from his bright green eyes.
“You certainly can.”
He was a TA to Professor Weinburg, the head of the legal department. He was also the persistent man who’d been trying his hardest to get me to go out with him. For the last six months.
“Are there some books you need?” I straightened up.
“Nope, but if there’s any books you think I need, I’d be happy to discuss that over dinner.”
I laughed. He was still persistent.
“I can’t.” That had always been my answer.
“Why?”
I shook my head. “I’m busy and I think it would be best if I didn’t go to dinner with you.”
“Same answer as always.” He pretended to pout.
I laughed again. “Same as always.”
“Okay, I will go away and change my tactics. Maybe you’ll say yes then.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t like him. He was absolutely of the likeable variety. One of the GQ types my friends and I swooned over.
But that was all it was.
I wanted more than looks. I got with Corry for his looks three years ago and that ended in a disaster. The man cheated on me every chance he got and broke my heart. Then, because he didn’t think I was broken enough, he went and broke my bank account too.
He stole everything, and even tried to steal my business. Claiming it was his idea.
Asshole.Thank God I knew the right people. My cousin, Preston, was a lawyer and he stopped him right in his tracks.
Taught me a lesson though. One I’d never, ever forget.
One that showed people with beautiful faces could have ugly hearts.
Not that I judged all men with the same caution. I was just more careful.
“Is that what you came here for tonight?” I raised a brow.
