Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Jack
“I’m surprised that you were able to get a big box like this at such late notice,” Levi says, looking over at me as we take our seats in the vintage theater box. There’s a bemused expression on his face as we take our seats with our two female companions. I shrug and give him my most winning smile.
“I guess it helps when you have deep pockets.”
“I guess so,” he says, a tinge of disbelief in his tone. “Since when have you been into theater?”
“Since I was young,” I say, staring at him, daring him to call me out on the lie. “Why do you ask? Do you not enjoy Broadway shows?”
“Well, seeing as this was a very last-minute invitation and the first time I’ve ever heard you talk about the theater.
" His voice trails off, and he shrugs. “Not to mention that this is not even a Broadway show, it’s an Off-Broadway show that I’ve never heard of.
So yes, I’m surprised you have an interest in being here.
” He looks over at our two companions. “Unless there was another reason?” His eyes narrow as he studies the two beautiful women seated next to us.
“How are your drinks, ladies?” He asks with a warm smile.
“Oh, great,” Lisa says as she shimmies closer to me, her blue eyes eyeing me up and down. “I’m so glad you contacted me, Jack. It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has,” I say. I don’t bother telling her that she was the third woman I contacted to join us tonight.
I don’t think she’ll appreciate that information.
“I hope you both enjoy the show,” I add, looking over at her friend.
“Danielle, I’m glad you were able to make it. Nice to meet you again.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Danielle says, licking her lips and eyeing Levi.
“When Lisa told me you were both billionaires…” Her voice trails off as Lisa shoots her a look, and Danielle quickly shuts her mouth.
“Not like Lisa led with that information. Of course I wanted to see the show more than anything. I’ve been dying to see it.
I would’ve come even if we were in shitty seats.
” She gives me her most winning smile, and I try not to laugh.
I can see the dollar signs in her eyes. “Lisa tells me you have a number of businesses.”
“I do,” I say, glancing around, looking to see if Katherine and her friends have arrived yet.
I wonder if she’ll buy that I accidentally ended up at the same show as her?
But I don’t care. After last night I needed to see her.
I want to see where we stand. I want to know if she thought our call the previous evening was as hot as I had.
“Several that I run, to be fair.” I pause as I spot Katherine and Marina, with Willow and Brielle standing behind them.
“I’ll be right back,” I say quickly, jumping out of my seat and heading down the stairs.
I walk casually and then accidentally bump into Katherine.
“Sorry.” I look up and watch her eyes widen.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, shaking her head, eyes narrowing as she realizes that it's me.
“I came to see a play. What about you?”
“I came to see a play as well. In fact, didn’t I tell you I was coming to see a play?”
“I don’t know if you told me what play you were going to see,” I say, smiling. “What a coincidence.”
Her eyes narrow as she gazes at me. “Yeah. Fancy that.” She pauses and looks back. “Hey, guys, guess who’s here?”
“Oh, Mr. Heathcliff,” Marina says, looking taken aback. “I didn’t know you were into plays.” She looks at me with wide appreciative eyes. I can tell I’ve gone up in her esteem by being here.
“So good to see you,” I say. “I understand that you’re a budding thespian yourself.”
“Oh, I am,” she says, grinning. “How did you know? Have people been talking about me? I mean, do you know the director or the producer of this play? Were they asking about me? Oh my gosh, am I famous in the world of billionaires—”
“No,” I say. “I think Katherine mentioned it to me.” Disappointment drips from her pores at my response.
“Oh.” She looks like she might cry. I’d heard of building fairytales in one's head, but she seemed particularly delusional. I’d have to ask Katherine more about her at a later date.
“I was hoping you were going to say you were looking to fund a production and wanted me to be the lead.” She looks at me hopefully.
“Because I would totally, absolutely, one hundred percent be interested.”
“Marina, he’s not funding any theater productions,” Katherine says, giving her a look.
“What? I’m just saying,” Marina shrugs and grins. “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.” She looks back at me. “So have you gone to a lot of shows, Mr. Heathcliff?”
“I doubt he has,” Katherine says flatly. “I have a feeling this is the first show he’s been to in a long time. Am I correct?”
“Why, I’m hurt,” I say. “Katherine, do you not consider me cultured?”
“I don’t know you well enough to know if you’re cultured, sir,” she replies, her eyes narrowed as she stares at me. “But we should really be getting to our seats. We don’t want to be rude and have to step over people.”
“Well, actually,” I say, glancing at Marina, “I got a box, and there are more than enough seats. If you’d like to join us—”
“Oh my gosh, you got a box?” Marina says loudly. “I definitely want to sit in a box. I’ve never sat in a box. I always see people in boxes and think, wow, one day I’d love to sit in a box.”
Katherine presses her lips together. “But we already paid for our seats, Marina.”
“Girl, we paid twenty dollars,” Marina says. “Do you know how much a box costs? I’m willing to lose twenty bucks to sit somewhere better.”
Katherine glances at her, then at me. “I guess we’ll be joining you in your box… sir. If Willow and Brielle can also join.”
“Call me Jack when we’re not in the office, and of course, they can join. The box is huge.”
“I think I’ll call you Mr. Heathcliff,” she says coolly. “Just so we both remember that I’m your employee and we don’t accidentally cross any unprofessional lines.”
“It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?” I whisper in her ear. “When you were on the phone with me last night moaning, my words made you come.”
She blushes. “Really? Let’s not discuss that now.”
“Then when?”
“Never.” She wrinkles her cute little nose and I laugh.
“What about later tonight, in my bed?” She shakes her head, but I can see that there’s a small smile on her face. Progress! “Follow me, girls. We’ll go up the stairs and take our seats. I have some other friends there,” I say, “but they’ll be happy to share the box with you and meet your friends.”
“Like who?” Her eyes narrow. “Your guy friends?”
“Yeah. Levi’s there. You’ll see,” I say, smiling. We reach the box, and I pause. “Hi, Levi. Lisa. Danielle. I’d like you to meet Katherine and Marina. They both work for me. And their friends Willow and Brielle.”
Lisa sits up and stares at the two women in disgust. “Okay… what are they doing here?”
“They’re going to join us. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?” I ask.
“I thought this was a date. I didn’t know there were going to be a bunch of randos,” Lisa says, frowning slightly. “No offense.”
“I guess we don’t have to join you,” Katherine says, looking at me angrily. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited Lisa and Danielle, after all. “We really wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“It’s fine,” I say, quickly. “Never let it be said that I think I’m above my employees. If I get to sit in a box, you get to sit in a box.”
Marina’s eyes light up. "Can I sit at the front?” She practically bounces when I nod, and she takes a seat next to Levi.
She looks over at him, grins, then looks back at Katherine.
“He’s hot, girls. Is he single?” She starts giggling, and I can see Katherine, Willow, and Brielle attempting not to groan.
“Been drinking tonight?” I ask Katherine softly as she stands there. I can tell from the uncomfortable expression on her face that she doesn’t really want to be in the box.
“A little.” She nods. “Barely two drinks, but apparently Marina is a lightweight.” She takes a step forward and whispers softly. “Do you come here because of me?”
“What do you mean?” I ask her innocently.
“You know what I mean?”
“Have a drink with me and let’s discuss it further.”
“The show’s about to start.” She shakes her head. “Plus you have someone here.”
“Then we’ll grab the drink during intermission.”
“What about your date?” She presses with an annoyed expression.
“My date?” I sigh. Maybe trying to make her jealous had been a stupid idea.
It seemed to be backfiring on me. She looks over at Lisa and raises her eyebrows.
Lisa is quite clearly glaring at us, and I know if ice daggers could fly from her eyes, they would.
I offer Lisa a placating smile, but she doesn’t respond in kind.
“She’s pissed at you.” Katherine offers me a wide smile. “Likely means no sex for you tonight.” She’s practically laughing, like she thinks it’s hilarious.
“As I said, this wasn’t a date, and I had no expectations of sex tonight. At least, not with Lisa.” I wink at her, and she groans loudly.
“Does Lisa know that?”
“She’s an old friend that I asked to go to a show with, that’s all.”
“Like I just said, does Lisa know that?” Katherine tilts her head to the side and stares into my eyes. “For a rich man, you’re either oblivious, dumb, or just a complete and utter shithead.”
“Ouch, what happened to handsome, funny, and sexy?”
“Those are not words I’d ever use for you.”
“What about desirable, seductive, and hip?”
“I wouldn’t use those words either.” She grins. “So I’d rethink sucking back up to Lisa because if you’re getting anything tonight, it will be from her and not from me.”
“Maybe I don’t want her.”
“Can’t always have what you want.” She shrugs. “Especially if you’re going to play games.”