Page 13 of Savage Temptation
My heart sinks. Had I really expected her to remain single? I guess I had, but not because of any feelings she might harbor for me. I’ve just never seen her with a steady boyfriend and had chalked it up to her being career-oriented.
I swallow hard, trying to mask my emotions. “I take it you don’t like him?”
“I don’t even know him.”
“Then how do you know he’s a shithead?”
“Because she’s skipping the party tomorrow to be with him. Apparently, they’re in Bali together.”
Another punch to the gut.
At least now I don’t have to explain to him why she’s not invited, which I had been avoiding. It’s not that I wanted to cut her out of my life, but if she was working with someone to find out sensitive information on the Playground, I can’t invite her to any of my company’s functions.
I shrug. “You always said she needed to live a little. She’s living.”
Narrowed eyes lock me in a gaze. “Yeah, but something about her globe-trotting with a guy I’ve never met before has me fucking anxious.”
He’s not the only one.
“And she’s always been so supportive of me. Since graduating, she’s never missed an event of mine, and if this guy thinks he can throw his weight around and make her choose between me and him, he’s not going to like the reception I give him.”
It suddenly dawns on me that by not inviting Tessa to the unveiling, I’ve created a situation where Lance now thinks that Tessa is being unsupportive.
Screwing Tessa really fucked up everything.
“I already hate the guy. I bet he’s some stupid scholar type.”
“Is it so bad that Tessa would date an intellectual?”
He sneers. “You know the type. The college professor that thinks he’s smarter than everyone else because he engages in philosophical debates just to piss everyone off. My sister deserves better than that.”
I have to agree with him, and as much as I want to be here for my friend, I can’t sit and listen to Lance prattle on about the one fucking woman that’s ever mattered to me, so I go inward to thoughts of the unveiling, product line, and the supply chain problem I ran into last week.
Not that it helps matters much. Not after I lost all chance of being with the one woman who can successfully take me from my worries.
Maybe I should find a date to accompany me to the party. It’s short notice, but I’m fairly certain ninety-nine percent of women would drop what they’re doing at any given moment for an evening with me.
And no, I’m not saying that cockily. It’s just a fact.
My phone buzzes, and I say a silent prayer of thanks.
“Sorry, bro—I’ve gotta take this?” I wave my phone, not even sure of who’s calling me.
Lance nods, then ejects himself from the room.
When I see who’s on the caller ID, I realize I must have done something terrible in a past life, because this kind of karma takes centuries to acquire.
Ashley, the Peanut Queen…
Ashley has always rubbed me the wrong way, and she does so purposefully.
Of course, my parents would love for me to date her, and she’s admittedly attractive, but inside, she’s a train wreck.
I press ANSWER.
“Why are you calling me?” I say into the receiver, wanting to get the interaction over with as quickly as possible.
“Because I need your help.” Her voice is frantic, edging on hysterical.
