Page 7 of The Man I Once Hated

“Cute uniform,” he says, his eyes raking over the length of my body. That alone sets me on fire and suddenly it’s hard to breathe. “I think I’d like you better out of it.”

That wink again.

It’s infuriating, the way he thinks he can get whatever the hell he wants with his money and charm and nothing else. More infuriating still, that he’s having this effect on me. I know better, dammit.

“Too bad.” I snatch back my tie and fix what he’s ruined. “Because you’ll never get to see it.”

He chuckles softly, and I’m drawn to the lined dimples that appear. The way his smile crinkles his eyes. I’m a dreamer, but not delusional. There’s no arguing that Edward is gorgeous. But another thing I’m not, is a trophy for some billionaire to parade around for as long as it takes the novelty to wear off.

He takes the knock in his stride, like a true playboy professional. “You ready for the big audition tomorrow?”

“How do you know that?” I ask, aware that he’s no longer keeping me in place. Also aware that I haven’t tried to back away from him yet.

Edward shrugs innocently. “Live where I live, and you hear things. News has a way of fluttering to the top, if you get my meaning.”

I groan out loud. Because fuck this guy and his over-inflated ego. The top? Meaning that people like me, the non-billionaires of the world, are at the bottom. I mean, yeah, that’s kind of how it is. But I’ve never heard one of them actually say it out loud. That they actually go around thinking that…

“I’m ready to cash that check, if that’s what you’re asking.” My retort amuses him, I can tell.

But I’m not getting paid to entertain arrogant assholes, and this time when I move to pass Edward, he lets me.

“I’d tell you to break a leg, but we both know you don’t need it,” he says with a sarcastic laugh.

His pompous ass doesn’t deserve acknowledgement and I don’t give it to him. Cameron’s been enough tonight already, I just want to get through my shift so I can run my lines with Zoey one last time.

More than anything, I want to land this role just to stick it to Edward. The money for the theater will only be a bonus.

Despite getting off to a rocky start, the rest of the night goes by swiftly with nothing other than the usual drama. Men with money are always too handsy, too demanding, and too privileged to give a fuck about treating service staff with any kind of respect. But it’s nothing I’m not used to and nothing I can’t handle.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve managed to avoid Edward for the rest of the night. I swear to God, that man thinks he’s the answer to every woman’s question. What’s worse is that unlike with the other loaded men in Suave, he’s the one I fumble. All of that control and ‘nothing I can’t handle’ attitude goes out the window the moment his eyes are on me.

This conundrum is swirling in my head as I’m heading back to off load my tray of empty glasses when I hear a familiar voice. The one that belongs to those stormy gray eyes I was just thinking about. Edward is talking and laughing with two other men, one of whom I recognize as his partner in crime at the strip club.

I sneak up to the dividing wall that’ll hide me from sight but leave me within earshot. My serving tray still poised perfectly on top of one hand, I press my back flat against the wall without so much as a twinge of guilt.

“She’s in over her head. I tried to warn her.” That’s the blonde. He’s not as drunk as the last time I saw him, but I’d know that gravely voice anywhere.

“Maybe I should try talking to her.” That must be the other guy, by process of elimination. “I mean, I fell prey to your propensity for a good wager not too long ago. She’ll have to believe me.”

Edward’s laughter rings out loud and clear. I’d never heard him actually laugh before, but the way my stomach flips tells me it’s him. Only he makes my body do things of its own accord.

“If I remember correctly,” Edward starts, the ghost of his laugh still floating in his tone. “My wager is the reason you’re happily married today. So…”

“That’s right,” blondie comes again. “Bear Spencer lll, handing out fairytale endings left and right.”

They all break out in laughter again, and a pit settles in my stomach now that I know I’m the topic of their amusement. And that the blonde one had been right this whole time–that making bets with people’s lives is something Edward does for entertainment.

Unfettered anger rises up the back of my neck. Elise’s face swims into my mind’s eye - hers, and every one of the kids who depend on the work we do at the theater. For so many of them, we are the only beacon of hope in their lives. What kind of person would think it’s funny to play around with that?

“A blank check, though?” the other guy asks, his voice filled with uncertainty. “I know things are going well for Spencer Holdings, but that could backfire on you fast.”

Edward scoffs loudly. “Nothing to worry about, Ethan. I have no intention of handing over that check.”

My blood runs cold. I knew it. Well, I didn’t know it, not really. But I should’ve known he was lying about the money. What a creep.

“What are you talking about?” blondie asks. “A deal’s a deal, and you’re no flake. If that’s what you told her, then-”

“No, I mean that there’s no way she’s landing any role in the movie,” Edward cuts him off. “Those were the terms, and I know for a fact that Cara Ford won’t get so much as a janitor gig on set.”

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