Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Drea
There were countless other things I could think of that I would rather do instead of attending this meeting with Blair. For example, getting a pap smear from Edward Scissorhands came to mind.
I agreed to this? I was really about to work with Blair Sterling again? The last time I worked with her was torturous.
She was arrogant and overbearing, and nothing I did made her happy. Finally, I put Kaia in charge, and told her to give the princess whatever she wanted.
I tried to be friendly, and I strived to create a relaxing environment for anyone I handled business with, but she wouldn’t know “friendly” if it bit her in her perfect round ass!
The store wasn’t in any sort of major financial trouble, but it wasn’t doing as well as it had been the previous years, and I wanted to do something to get it back on track.
Unfortunately, working with a pain-in-the-ass best-selling author was my only option at the moment.
I’d wanted to throw my pickleball paddle at Cara when she’d mentioned it. I almost did, actually. She knew I couldn’t stand the woman, but she pointed out the fact that I kind of owed her, so I really couldn’t say no.
Before Fallon met Mackenzie, I tried to set her up with Cara, and it sort of worked.
They went on a date that ended horribly when Mackenzie also happened to be there and ruined it in the only way Mackenzie knew how at the time—by letting her jealously get the best of her and embarrassing both Fallon and Cara in the process.
This was when Fallon and Mackenzie were just keeping things casual, but it turned out that Mackenzie also went out with Cara. Small world. Also, those two wouldn’t have known casual if it stared them in the face.
From the moment I saw them together, I knew they were lying to each other just as much as they were lying to us.
Mackenzie used to be a serial one-night stander like me, but one look at Fallon and that life was out the window. As for Fallon, she never slept around, so I knew nothing about them was actually casual.
After the whole thing, I talked to Cara, and she was surprisingly okay with everything. She was laid back and understood that these things happened, but I felt like I owed her for unintentionally putting her in that weird situation.
I shouldn’t have pressured her so much into asking Fallon out. Luckily, it all worked out for everyone involved, except for me.
Because there I was, roughly thirty-three days into my sexless year, and I was forced to work with the last person I wanted to.
At least I wouldn’t have to worry about breaking my promise. Even if I was drunk and she was the last woman on Earth, I would never have sex with Blair freaking Sterling.
Her ears must have been burning, because the bell above the door chimed, and when I looked up, my entire body tensed for a multitude of reasons. It had been over a year since the last time I’d seen her, but not a lot had changed.
Her strawberry-blonde hair was still in long waves, but she’d replaced her studded nose ring for a golden hoop. That’s new.
Hazel eyes stared back at me with intensity. Her sun-kissed olive skin was surrounded by a cream-colored off-the-shoulder sweater dress so tight I had to clear my throat in hopes of erasing the dryness that had crept its way in.
“Are you going to go say hello, or do you plan on just staring at them all morning?”
I jumped, turning my head to see Kaia’s arched eyebrow. To be honest, I had forgotten she was standing there.
I scowled, trying to cover how red my cheeks were getting. “I was hoping if I stared hard enough, she’d get scared and leave.”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “You wish. Go be a professional boss lady!” She nudged my side and I groaned. I didn’t want to.
“Good morning.” I smiled tightly as I walked toward Blair, with Cara following a step behind.
“Morning, Dre. I got you a chai latte, your favorite.”
“Thanks, Cara. Hello, Blair, you’re looking nice.” It was the best I could do. It was too early to deal with her, and she did look nice. Really nice.
I had to admit, for a pain in my ass, she was gorgeous. That’s just the dry spell talking. Pull it together!
She looked at me with narrowed brows. “You drink chai?”
“See, something you both have in common. Aren’t we off to a great start already?”
We both looked at Cara, who put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, fine. Let's go somewhere and talk.”
“We can talk over there,” I said pointing to the couches in the corner. “Is that alright with you, Ms. Sterling?”
Cara gave me a cutting look, but I only shrugged in response. At least I was pretending to be nice.
Blair’s lips curled. “Of course, Ms. Voss. Thank you so much for asking.” Her response was sarcastic, and I barely suppressed an eyeroll. This is going to be a long project.
I grabbed my laptop from underneath the counter and followed them to the couch, ignoring the way my body heated watching Blair’s ass move in that dress.
Cara and Blair sat on one couch while I sat on the other with Kaia. I didn’t really need Kaia for this meeting, but it was always helpful to have an extra buffer between us.
“I want to start this meeting off by saying how appreciative I am to both of you for agreeing to this. I’d like the signing to be in a few months, so you won’t have that long to deal with each other.
I know it’s not an ideal situation, but we are all grown adults, and I think we can put our childish differences behind us for the sake of business, don’t you agree?
” Cara looked directly at me the entire time she spoke, as if I were somehow the problem.
I narrowed my eyes. “May I ask why you’re looking at me like that? It’s not like I’m the one who started this whole thing.”
“And what exactly does that mean?” Blair crossed her arms.
“Ladies, ladies, please. I think it would be a good idea to run some promotions before the signing. You know, really get the word out not only about Blair’s books, but about the store as well. This is a partnership, ladies. You are both getting something out of it.”
I tried, and failed, to hide my eye roll. What exactly was I getting out of it? More business, which meant more money, I guess. But working with Blair again, I wasn’t so sure it was going to be worth it.
It was all I could do to put a smile on my face. “Of course.”
Cara looked at me and sighed before turning her attention to her best friend. “Blair, is there anything specific you expect from Drea and Kaia?”
Her shoulders slouched slightly and she sighed. “I expect professionalism and competency. The bare minimum, but still somehow too much to ask for when it comes to Ms. Voss.”
I scoffed, but Cara didn’t let me protest before she cut in. “That is easy enough. Drea, what about you?”
“I can’t speak for Kaia, but I expect to work with someone who has a shred of class and knows when to get off her high horse.” I sighed when Cara shot me a threatening glare. “I expect communication, honesty, and patience. We can only do so much. We do still have a business to run after all.”
“Okay, see, we’re getting somewhere. All of that sounds reasonable. I’ll draft up a contract with estimated capacity numbers, as well as a blueprint for our typical signing set up, and you can let me know if you have any questions. Does that sound fair?” she asked.
“Perfect. Are we done here? I have things to do, and I don’t want to take up anymore of the queen’s time.”
Blair rolled her eyes, but Cara interjected before she had a chance to say anything. “I think that covers it for now.”
“Good. Well, Blair, as always, it was not a pleasure, and I look forward to when this whole thing is over, and you can take whatever stick is glued up your ass and—”
“Drea!” Cara interrupted through gritted teeth.
“Talk about class. I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure I’m helping you more than you’re helping me, so you really need to watch who you’re talking to!”
“First of all, little miss best-seller, you have no right to come into my store and act like you run the fucking show. I don’t care if you’re Oprah Winfrey—you will show some respect.
I may have to put up with you as a favor to Cara, but I will not put up with your attitude, so leave it at the fucking door!
” I stood up, ready to walk away from this whole thing.
“Okay, ladies!” Cara said, standing up. “I think that is enough for one day. Drea, I’ll call you later and we can go over the next steps.”
“Fine.” I didn’t bother acknowledging Blair as I headed for my office, giving Kaia a short nod on the way.
“Well, I think that went okay, don’t you? No one got hurt,” Kaia said as she shut my office door behind her.
I glared at her and sighed. “It went about as well as it always does. Why did I agree to this again?”
She sat down and smiled sweetly. “Because, Drea, you’re a business woman, and you know it will benefit the both of you. And you’re doing a nice thing for a friend.”
“Some friend if she’s making me do this! How am I going to survive this project?” I groaned, reaching for a bottle of water.
“If anyone can get through this, it’s you. You are one of the strongest women I know.”
“Your ass-kissing is improving, Kaia, but thanks. I swear, this is the last time I will ever work with Blair Sterling. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need some time to reset before we open. Also, don’t forget I’m leaving early for my boxing class.”
After Cara’s genius idea to work with Blair, I decided a more physical approach was necessary, so I signed up for boxing. Tonight was my first class and I was looking forward to beating the shit out of something.