CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
EMILY
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“O h, my god!” Lexi screams , jumping up and down as we spin around. “I’m in New York City.”
I giggle.
“I remember the feeling. I was so—” I stop talking and the familiar sadness washes over me.
When I arrived in NYC, I was with Sebastian.
Sebastian.
Sebastian.
Sebastian.
He’s everywhere. On the news. In my dreams. In my mind when I brush my teeth and miss the feel of him standing behind me shirtless. In my bed when I ache for him and cry privately, as if admitting, even to myself, the tears are a failure.
He’s even with me at breakfast when I make my coffee and miss those god-awful green smoothies.
Or when I go for a walk through the streets wondering who his PA is now...or if he’s dating.
Or sleeping with someone new.
“Come on.” I grab her luggage and start walking through the airport. “We have to get back home and quickly get lunch because I have that job interview.”
“Are you sure working for Sebastian’s friend is a good idea?”
No.
Lexi knows everything. I phoned her the next morning after confirming with Julie that I didn’t need to come into the office to finish up my contract.
I don’t know what Sebastian told her, but given there were at least six Remington employees there, including Terri, I suppose she knows exactly what happened.
“It is just a means to an end. I have three months’ rent paid, so I may as well enjoy my time in NYC.” I shrug. “Then I guess I’ll come home.”
“Does your dad know?” she asks.
It’s been over a week since the gala, and while there were some images of the confrontation at the event put online, no media outlets have been able to find out exactly what took place.
Thank goodness.
“No. I’m surprised Victor hasn’t leaked something.” I shake my head. “That guy is a piece of work.”
“Sounds like it. They probably silenced him.”
Good.
He ruined everything.
I hail a cab, and we’re soon on our way from JFK International Airport to my small apartment in Manhattan.
“It looks just like on the internet. Wow, look at the Statue of Liberty. Man, it looks small from here.” Lexi chuckles, and I find myself enjoying her enthusiasm.
It lifts my spirits a little.
I haven’t done many tourist things since I arrived. Despite my rent being paid by Sebastian as part of our deal, I’ve been careful with money.
In truth, I’ve been moping.
I fell in love with Sebastian.
What that says about me, I don’t know. I like to think he might have had some feelings for me, but I haven’t heard anything from Sebastian in over a week, so it appears he was either drunk or just wanted to keep sleeping with me.
So, yes, I’ve been brooding.
“Are you excited about your birthday tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I lie. Climbing out of the car, I lift my arms into the air dramatically. “We’re in New York fucking City, Lexi. The Big Apple. The world is our oyster.”
Lexi grabs her suitcase from the driver and pays him.
“You’re such a big fat liar. But it’s a start.” She wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you to that job interview.”
“Oh, you don’t have to come. I will only be an hour.”
I probably won’t get the job. Mason is likely doing this as a favor for Sebastian.
We all know it would be awkward.
“Dude. I’m not letting you go on your own. Besides, I want to see one of these hot guys in person.” Lexi smirks as she pushes the button on the elevator.
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll stay in America a little longer. Find a rich billionaire of my own.”
“I don’t have one,” I mutter.
God, I miss him so goddamn much.
Has he even thought about me?
Has he found my favorite gold hair tie which I left at his penthouse? I bet he threw it in the trash. It’s just a dumb hair tie, but I’ve become obsessed with it. Almost ringing him to arrange pickup like it’s a custody item.
“I’m kidding. A billionaire couldn’t afford me.” Lexi teases. “But I am thinking of staying.”
I blink. “Really?”
“I waited to tell you until I arrived. I quit my job.”
“What? You’ve been there for four years! I thought you loved it.”
“Exactly. Four long years. You inspired me, Em. Moving across the world and going on this adventure. Life is for living, not staying in boring London and doing the same thing over and over and over.”
“London isn’t boring.” I frown.
It’s not some small town from the back of nowhere. London is beautiful.
“You know what I mean. It’s home. I’ve never left the United Kingdom.” We walk in the door and drop the bags. “After the birthday celebrations, I’ll look for a job. Do you mind if I stay a little longer?”
I throw myself into her arms and almost cry.
“No, of course I don’t! I’ve been so sad and alone here. Please stay.”
A few tears do leak, and I sniff.
Lexi hugs me tight.
“Forget about him, Em. You’ll meet someone wonderful one day, then look back at the past few weeks like it was some crazy adventure you once had.”
Lexi’s right.
I release her. “Yeah. I guess. One day.”
I need to forget Sebastian and move on. My birthday is a good time to do that.
Onwards and upward.
Another lie.
T WO HOURS LATER, we’re waiting in the lobby of Obsidian Nexus Technologies.
“What’s with the Obsidian name in all their companies?” Lexi asks.
“Dunno.” I shrug.
We head over to a set of sofas, and Lexi sits, picking up a magazine.
“Emily,” I hear Mason call my name and turn.
A smile hits my lips when I see his good-looking, cheeky face. Dressed in a navy tailored suit, black shoes, and a pair of sunglasses on his head, he looks every bit the New York billionaire.
“Hey!”
He kisses my cheek, then makes a joke about shaking my hand. “If you are going to work for me, we should be professional.”
“Hi.” Lexi stands and reaches out her hand. “Lexi Grant.”
Mason’s face darkens as his eyes slowly run the length of her body. I told her not to wear the black dress. It’s way too sexy for the middle of the day. Even in New York. This is a professional organization, after all.
“Mason Kingsley.” He shakes her hand.
Woah.
Am I imagining the sparks right now?
“Lexi is here from London for my birthday. It’s tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind that she came with me. She just flew in.”
“She doesn’t trust me not to get up to mischief in her apartment while’s she gone.” Lexi winks playfully.
“Is mischief something you like to do often, Ms. Grant?” Mason rasps, and good god I feel like I shouldn’t be here.
She falters for a moment, and I almost high-five him. It takes a lot to unnerve Lexi.
“Daily.” She smirks.
The two stare at one another, my eyes darting between them, and I wonder if they forgot I’m here. I’m about to clear my throat when the corners of Mason’s lips twitch and finally, finally , they glide back to me.
“Happy birthday for tomorrow, Emily. Let’s go upstairs, ladies.” He grins.
We follow him across the lobby, and with his back to us, I give Lexi the universal omfg expression. Her grin is as bright as a million-watt bulb, then she goes right back to studying his well-rounded ass.
Oh crap.
Lexi cannot sleep with Mason, especially if he ends up being my new boss.
Everyone needs to stop sleeping with everyone.