Chapter 3 #2
“I bet you do. Would you like me to show you to the door? I’m certain a man like you is used to having everything done for him. Including wiping his ass.” While the last sentence was said under her breath, I heard every word.
Now I laughed. “I assure you that I’m perfectly capable of finding the door.”
“Maybe with two hands and a flashlight.” Her spiteful statement seemed to surprise even her. Someone had done a number on her.
“You might be surprised, Ms. Blair.” I moved to the door, opening it.
With only a slight turn of my head, I made a last-ditch effort by appealing to her bank account instead of jaded personality.
“I did forget to mention I’m willing to pay your employee five hundred thousand, and of course she’ll be allowed to keep any items purchased during the marriage.
In addition, of course there’s a fee for your firm.
I believe your expert services will be worth one million. ”
For once, she didn’t have a snappy comeback.
“I’ll give you until tomorrow, Ms. Blair. I can understand you might need to think about the offer, but as you’ve so abruptly pointed out, we’re both extremely busy people. I left my card with my personal number with your office manager. Give me a call before ten.”
That was the way to take control.
Now the ball was in her court.
Unscrupulous.
The woman had no clue what she was talking about.
Even though I continued to have filthy thoughts racing through my mind. Maybe I was the cad she believed.
“You crushed it in racquetball this afternoon,” Michael said just before we walked into our favorite bar.
“I played like shit. What are you talking about?”
“Not your inferior game skills, buddy.” He walked around me, heading to the bar.
I stopped long enough to glare at him before trailing behind. “Then what the fuck did you mean?” Sitting on the barstool, I glanced around the darkened bar. Tonight I needed a drink. It was different than simply wanting one or perhaps feeling entitled to one.
That’s exactly what Vanessa Blair would say. She so thought she had my number down cold. I had news for her. Damn it. She’d gotten so far under my skin I could feel her jabbing a rusty blade into my intestines. There was something so familiar about her.
“I’m talking about the fact you ripped a goddamn rubber ball in half. I didn’t even think that was possible. That was before you broke not one, but two racquets. Angry much?” Michael’s laugh irritated the hell out of me. He pulled the bowl of nuts closer, immediately grabbing a handful.
“So I’m pissed. So what?”
“Is this still about Ms. Blair, or as you mentioned to me prior to driving me crazy with all the reasons she needs you, she who shall not be mentioned by name.”
“I did not say that.”
“You all but did, buddy. My God. I’ve never seen you this flustered over a woman and I’ve seen you with or around plenty of them.”
“Go to hell.” The bartender walked in our direction. “Whiskey. Neat. Top shelf.”
“Yes, sir,” the kid said.
“Same,” Michael said before swiveling his seat. “Why are you allowing this woman to get to you?”
“Because she acted as if my request was ridiculous and that I was an arrogant pig.”
“Well, you are an arrogant pig.” He deflected an air punch, still grinning at me like somehow I was off my rocker.
“But seriously. Look at your request from her point of view. From what you told me about her company, she achieved moderate success only to find herself in a difficult position. You throw money around like it grows on trees. You’re handsome, at least according to the tabloids. ”
“Fuck you again.”
“I’m serious. She’s thinking, why does this stupid jerk not just find a girlfriend all by himself?”
“You know why. Most women are looking for an easy meal ticket. They couldn’t care less who I am other than how much money I have in the bank.
They couldn’t care less if we get along or what I care about and would like to see for the future.
The few who aren’t eager to spend their days swigging back martinis by the pool have some other issue keeping them from even agreeing to a date. ”
“You mean they have scruples?”
“Exactly.”
“Just like Ms. Blair. Correct me if I’m wrong.” Michael was giving me one of his bro type looks as if his love life was any better than mine.
“Fine. I’ll concede the point.”
“I’m shocked you even bothered with my suggestions.”
Michael had forwarded three of them, two of which I’d tossed out immediately, although the one about perusing the local libraries for the hottest female employee had indeed been creative.
“Unless I wanted to use one of the three dozen escort services, several of which disguised themselves as hiring office help, then I am running short on that creativity you mentioned.”
“Well, at least you found a reputable company. That takes me back to my question. What is the real problem?”
Thank God the bartender brought the drinks quickly. My mouth was bone dry. “Since I’d need a pre-nup with strict rules and no room for negotiation, why not hire a fake wife? What’s the problem? She called it unscrupulous.”
“In her eyes it likely is. Maybe she believes in true love. Did you ever think of that?”
“Ha,” I said as I pulled the glass to my lips. “You know as well as I do there’s no such thing.”
“So you gave her until tomorrow to decide. You handled her just like your clients.”
“She would be a client. If she’d get her head out of her ass.”
“No,” Michael corrected. “You’d be her client. If you really feel like you have no other choices, then you need to mend the fence.”
“And how the hell do I do that? Take her to dinner? Fuck her?”
Michael lifted his eyebrows. “This fake marriage will never work.”
“Fuck you.”
He chortled. “Why don’t you at least show her you’re not such a bad guy. Show her the business and yes, maybe take her out for a drink, just to try and break the ice.”
“The business. As in drive her around to the various companies she’ll know I dismantled? My God, the woman will utterly crucify me. That’s not going to win me any points.”
“Then don’t take her to those. Take her to the special place.” He had a wry smile on his face because he knew why it was very special to me. The development was also personal, something my father and I hadn’t seen eye to eye on.
“Fuck. I don’t know.”
“If your conversation with her included you saying she needed to get her head out of her ass, then trust me, you won’t hear from her. Let her see the real you, not the bullshit you’ve perfected and that everyone believes.”
I laughed softly and bitterly to myself as I took another swig, confident I knew what I was talking about. “Not necessary. I’ll hear from her. You better believe I will. If I have my way, soon she’ll be eating out of my hands.”