Chapter 10
“Son of a bitch!” I screech, throwing my bag across my living room onto the couch. Slinging my shoes off my feet, I stomp to the fridge for some ice cream and Jager. “Motherfucker, he’s such a jerk.”
“Tell me how you really feel, Reese.” Alden stands at my kitchen door. “I take it dinner didn’t go well.”
“Walker Pennington is the most pompous, egotistic, narcissistic prick. Ever! Ugh.” I slam the ice cream onto the table and turn to grab a bowl.
“I’ll get the glasses,” Alden offers as he walks to the cabinet.
“No need.” I wave him off, grabbing the bottle and taking a big gulp. I cough, so I chase it with vanilla ice cream.
“Damn.” His eyes are wide. “What in the hell did he do?” He joins me at the table, sitting across from me with his glass. He pours two fingers and pushes the bottle back to me.
“He… he… he was right. Asshole,” I huff as I fill my mouth with another spoon of ice cream.
He snickers. “Oh, that fucker. How dare he be right,” he says with a lisp.
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes with a sigh. “The Historical Society wants more than what’s possible, and Walker knows it.”
“So why are we mad at him?” My head shoots up. “Besides the fact that he’s a jackass.”
I kick the seat near me with a grunt. “Because I want to sit on his face.”
Alden’s face drops, along with his mouth. “What in the fuck?”
I giggle. “Yeah, I know but hot damn, he’s a fucking god.”
“Apparently, you wish he were a fucking god fucking you.” He swipes his hand in the air like he’s spanking something.
I bite my lip, squinting as I think about it. “Mmm. Yes. Yes, I do. That’s why I’ve gotta get away from trickle dick.”
Alden spurts his Jager over the table, and we burst into a fit of laughter. “The hell did you just say?” I open my mouth, but he stops me by raising his hands. “No. Don’t. I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve listened about your million conquests.”
“You’re my little sister. I can’t even toy with the thought. The imagery alone will cause blindness.” His eyes are round as saucers.
“Whatever. It’s never gonna happen, so you need not worry.”
He narrows his eyes, and I mirror him. “Did you tell him we’re not together?” I shove a huge spoon of ice cream into my mouth and shake my head. “Why not?” He follows my lead, grabbing the cold sweetness.
“Didn’t come up.” I shrug. “Probably because I stormed off, but nevertheless, he’s outta my league. Looks wise.” I motion to my body.
Alden rolls his eyes, and I’m ready for his onslaught of how I should see myself but it never comes. “I have a feeling you’re gonna regret that. So what’s next with the deal?”
“I don’t know.” I toss the spoon on the table. “Walker’s right. The Historical Society is being ridiculous. There’s no way I would advise a client to do what they’re asking.”
His brows shoot up in surprise. “Wow. Siding with the enemy, are we?”
“Yeah, I guess I am, but don’t tell him.”
“I won’t because we both know you’d rather be sleeping with him.” He grins.
“I think that was a movie.” I scrunch my face. “Not gonna happen. He thinks I’m insane. I run every time we’re alone.”
“Slow down so he can catch you.” He chuckles.
“Okay.” I stick my tongue out at him while crossing my eyes. “By the way, you wanna take me to a fancy-pants gala, Saturday?” I pucker my lips and bat my lashes at him.
“No. Not happening.” He sighs when I pout. “Do I have to wear pants?”
“I said ‘fancy pants’.”
He glares. “Why are you my best friend?”
“So you have a reason to wear fancy pants.”
He shakes his head, laughing. “Why don’t you ask Walker?”
“I’d rather drink battery acid.”
“What-the-fuck-ever.” He throws his hands in the air. “What am I wearing?”
“It’s black tie.” I kiss his forehead and stand. “Lock up. I’m going to bed.”
“This is not an equal relationship. I feel used,” he huffs, standing.
“I’ll remember that the next time you need to hide out until your flavor of the night makes their dramatic exit.” I wink at him.
“Fine, but if I see Walker, I’m telling him you’re free to a good home.” He turns to the door. “And that you need a good spanking.”
I grab a magazine from the table and throw it at him, hitting the door as he slams it. “Asshole.”
He pokes his head back in. “You love me.”
I roll my eyes. “I do. Bye.”
“Night, love.”
I strip on the way to my bedroom, happy to get comfortable and settle in bed for the night. Again, I find myself tossing and turning all night. Every thought involves Walker. His smile, his intelligence, and the mere vision of his hard body pressed against mine keeps me up all night.
I give up the fight, getting ready for work at an ungodly hour and drive to the office.
The firm is small. Although we work for profit, most of our work is nonprofit. None of us will ever make the money Walker does, but I love what I do and having the flexibility to help who I want makes it all worthwhile.
My corner office is a hole in the wall compared to some. I turn on my desk lamp and get straight to work on the stack of papers that have continued to grow. I speak into my voice recorder, taking notes for later.
“File the petition for the Johnsons. Rogers needs to sign off on the Browning deal. Also, file the crisis center’s orders.” I sigh. “Look at the proposal from DII. I need to find a better offer than what The Historical Society is wanting.”
A knock at the door draws my attention. “Good morning,” Katie says.
“Mornin’,” I mumble.
“You’re here early. Bad night?” she asks as she sits across from me.
“Catastrophic.” I drop my head, banging it on my desk. “He refuses to bend.”
“But you said his offer was more than generous. How’s this his fault?” Her forehead creases.
I raise my head, blinking my eyes in bewilderment. “How is it not? The Historical Society countered, and he won’t discuss it with his client. Flat-out refused.”
“Was it in DII’s best interests?” A line appears between her brows.
I slump my shoulders, knowing the truth. “No, it wasn’t. I wouldn’t have advised my client to take what they offered.”
“So you start over.” She shrugs. “Do you have a middle ground?”
“There’s no such thing as compromise in the man’s body.”
“That bad, huh?” She wrinkles her nose.
“Yeah but like you said, they could bend too. I’m pulling it and starting over. It isn’t fair to DII. I know what it means, but if they’re going to be flexible, we have to be too.” I chew on my eraser.
“All right. I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if I can help. I’m gonna go file a few things.” She stands, picking up my outgoing stack of paperwork.
“Was that your reason for coming in early?”
“Not entirely. I’m working on my paralegal degree, and my computer is down at home.” Katie stares at the ground as she speaks.
“Oh, well, please come in any time. You can even use mine so you’ll have privacy.”
“Thank you, Reese.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. I’ve been where she is, fighting to make something of myself with no help from anyone.
“No problem, sweetie.”
“I’m going to file these and work a little before the day gets started.” Katie turns for the door, pausing as she twists back to me. “Seriously, thank you.”
“Think nothing of it,” I say with a wave of my hand.
I work the day away, hoping to forget Walker and the way he makes me feel. It proves harder than it should be as I revisit his proposal several times, trying to find a level playing field. Before I realize it, day has turned to evening and I need a long hot bath.
I tidy my desk in case Katie wants to use my computer and head out the door. “Katie, I’m planning on attending this event. Would you mind to RSVP and tell them I’m a plus one?”
“Not at all.” She takes the invitation from me. “Do you mind if I finish my homework before I leave?”
“Nope. It’s free, and I’ll put on some fresh coffee before I go.”
“Thank you, Reese.” She smiles sweetly.
I’m running on empty by the time Saturday rolls around. I’m not looking forward to this event for two reasons.
Walker.
Walker’s date.
I’m positive he’ll bring a skimpily-clad woman who’ll do nothing more than make me jealous and feel inferior. I know neither of those things is her issues but I can’t help myself. If women could ever shake the mold society has put them in, we’d all be better off.
My own insecurities are not caused by other women. They’re at the hand of men. Alden is the only man who sees me for me and not what I look like or where I come from.
I sit on the end of my bed, staring at the gown I found for tonight at a discount bridal store. You would think an attorney would make enough money to buy a dress, but student loans eat up my check. Whatever, it’s not like I’m going to be ogled.
“Are you going to put it on?” Alden asks from the door where he’s standing in a navy suit and shirt with a light blue silk tie.
“Maybe.” I swallow past the knot forming in my throat.
“Why are you nervous?” He steps into the room.
“He’s going to be with someone. I can’t compete.”
Alden walks over to me, reaching his hand out for me. I look up at him, slowly placing my hand in his. “No, you’re competing. No one compares to you, Reese. Now, get your ass ready.” He pulls me to my feet.
“This is why you’re my best friend.” I kiss his cheek before taking my dress down. “Out,” I command.
“Hurry.” He chuckles and leaves me to it.
I jerk the rollers from my hair, tossing them before securing the sides back with pins. I pull my dress up over my hips. The flowing navy dress falls at my feet in an explosion of blues, pinks, and purples. The deep cut in the navy bodice showcases my best assets.
Walking into the living room, Alden turns to me, his eyes wide. “Damn, woman. Remind me often tonight that you’re my best friend.”
I giggle. “Okay. Why?”
“You look damn good, girl.” He whistles, long and exaggerated.
I wiggle my brows. “Thank ya, babe.”
“Let’s roll.” He presents his arm for me.
The Barefoot Landing Conference Center is glowing as we pull up. The lights surrounding it dance off the ocean as it meets the veranda. I step from the car, taking Alden’s hand. My stomach twists and flips.
“You are stunning,” Alden says, drawing my attention.
“Thank you.”
“You also look like you’re about to hurl.” He chuckles.
“I am,” I answer as my knees knock.
“Well, stop. You’re gonna set him on his ass.” He tucks my hand into the crook of his arm.
“Please don’t. He doesn’t know I exist. And I’m praying he never finds out what his presence does to me.” Or what it does to my body.
We enter the building like movie stars, with bright lights and music for us to walk the red carpet. Lea and One Woods stand at the end, greeting every guest. “Reese, it’s so good to see you. You are gorgeous,” Lea whispers, hugging me.
“It’s good to see you and One. This is amazing and such a great cause.”
“Thank you, but we couldn’t do it without the help from people like yourself,” One says as he takes my hand.
“Thank you.” I turn toward Alden. “This is my best friend, Alden Beck.”
One shakes his hand, and Lea smiles at me. “Good to meet you.”
“Great meeting y’all,” Alden replies. “We should do a benefit concert this summer.”
“Let’s do it. Reese, we’ll be in touch,” One answers.
“Sounds good. He’s been going on about how great it would be on the beach.”
“It’s perfect. We’ve never considered it,” Lea says. As One and Alden begin to talk, Lea pulls me to the side. “How are things at the center?”
“Good.”
“Oh, not good. Short, noncommittal answer.” Lea scrutinizes me.
“It’s fine. It’s nothing, really.” I pause. “Well, it’s Walker.”
“Walker?” One turns his attention to me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, it’s business,” I assure them.
“If there’s a problem, please let us know.” A line appears between her brows.
“We’re on opposing sides of DII’s new sale.”
“That’s right. I remember now.” One nods with understanding.
“We’ve held you up long enough. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Please, go. Grab a drink and hit the floor.” Lea waves us to the door.
“Thank you.” I take Alden’s arm again, and we saunter through the entrance.
“Wonder what that was about?” Alden leans in to murmur in my ear.
I shrug as questions swirl. “Not sure.”
“And there’s the man in question.” He motions toward the bar.
“Damn.” I lick my lips, dragging my eyes up Walker’s long, hard body. “Why does he have to be so fucking hot?”
“Why do you have to drool?” He jerks his arm from me. “It’s gross.”
“Shut up.” I lightly slap his back.