Page 16 of His to Win

“No…yes…I mean…” I shake my head then lean closer, elbows resting against the table, hands clasped around my glass and lower my voice. “First of all, yes, we hooked up.”

“And?” She waggles her perfectly-plucked eyebrows.

“He blew my mind. In every possible way,” I admit.

“Nice. So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is I trusted him and confided in him about a company I want to buy. He went behind my back, schmoozed the owner and put himself in the running. He completely, and purposely, fucked my deal up.”

“Doesn’t a company usually have multiple people interested in buying it?” she asks innocently, plucking the lemon slice out of her drink and sucking on it.

I frown, wincing because I know how sour that must taste. But Lili loves it. “Sometimes, but that’s not the point.”

“Uh-huh.” She sets the rind aside, lifts her drink and takes a sip, eyeing me over the rim.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, tilting my head. She better be on my side or I’m going to be pissed.

“Well, it sounds to me like you didn’t want any competition. That you wanted to play by your rules. But Enzo swooped in and changed all that, challenging you to adjust your plan in order to win this company. Is it a setback? Sure. But a minor one. You’re a brilliant businesswoman, Gabs. Just view this as another challenge to overcome and think about how sweet it will be when you beat out one of the biggest sharks in New York City.”

Hmm. I suppose she does have a point. Winning Holloway Corp. and beating Enzo fair and square—because I had a better presentation—would feel absolutely amazing.

“I know you can do it,” she continues. “But, if you do, would things be over between you two?”

“They already are over,” I say with a huff. “It was only a one-night stand, Lili. Nothing more.”

“Really?”

She’s studying me intently. “What?” I demand.

“Well, if it was just one night then why do you seem so upset that he went behind your back? One night of sex doesn’t mean he owes you any loyalty, right? You’re the one who confided in him. I mean, it’s not like you had him sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

“Oh, my God, you sound just like him!” I’m not sure whether that means she and Enzo are right and I’m wrong. Or, if my friend is taking his side instead of mine. Either way, I’m getting annoyed.

“Speaking from experience—lots and lots of it—a one-night stand doesn’t mean anything. That’s why it’s only one night of your life. You had an itch, he scratched it. End of story. No one owes anyone anything. That’s the beauty of it.”

Dammit, I know she’s right, but I refuse to admit it.

When I don’t comment, Lili continues, “I think the problem is you want more than just one night.”

“No! That’s not true!”

She arches a brow. “No need to get so defensive.”

“I’m not,” I say stubbornly.

“I’m just going off of what you said. And you told me, and I quote, ‘I’ve never been so attracted to a man.’ Right?”

I release a long sigh, not willing to admit the truth to her. But, maybe I need to admit it to myself. I have been a little lonely lately. Enzo caught my interest, gave me multiple orgasms and now I can’t stop thinking about him. It’s like that one mind-blowing night has imprinted itself on my mind.

“I think he was mad that I snuck out in the morning,” I say quietly.

“Most men can’t kick a girl out fast enough once they get what they want. So that speaks volumes. Why do you think that he was mad? Did he say something?”

“He asked why I ran out without saying goodbye or leaving a note.”

“Really?” She draws the word out, eyes twinkling. “How interesting.”

“What’s interesting?” I ask.

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