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I pulled my hair into a bun on top of my head and secured it with pins. I put on a form-fitting black dress. I applied smoky eye shadow and a deep-red lip, and when I looked in the mirror again, I looked as hot as I felt. Everything I wore was so that Brett could strip it off again.
My phone rang. My mom’s number flashed on the caller ID, and I considered not answering, but she would keep trying all night until I answered, and I wasn’t going to talk to her in front of Brett. So I answered.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” my mom asked. She was checking in with me.
I suddenly wanted to tell her everything. I wanted to tell her about Brett, how handsome he was, and how he excited me. I wanted to tell her about what we had done and that I wanted it again. I was starting to feel something, and I wanted to talk to my mom about it. But I knew it would be a bad idea. My mom never supported me in decisions that involved men. Her perception was tainted by my father and what he had done to her, and in her eyes, no man was good enough.
Instead of telling her what was going on in my life, I said, “Good. Really good. Work is going great.”
I told her about the investor meeting and stepping in for Shane. I told her about the happy investors instead of my happy boss.
“Well, I hope they start paying you for what you’re doing for them.”
I sighed. “It’s not about the money, Mom. It’s about picking myself up again after Daniel let me go. And I’m happy at work.” It was because of Brett, I thought. “But I have to go.”
“Where are you going?” my mom asked. She had told me to send Katie her love the last time, but this was a direct question, and I couldn’t play along without lying. But there was nothing to lie about, right?
“I’m meeting my boss for dinner.”
My mom was silent for a moment. “Is that really such a good idea?” And there it was.
“It’s a business dinner, Mom,” I said.
“Well, you should be careful. Men are terrible creatures, and he may be your boss, but I know a lot of men that don’t let that stop them.”
“Not all men are assholes,” I said.
“But you never know if they are until they screw with you. You have to watch your back with him. With all of them.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s going to be fine, Mom. Okay? I’ll be careful.”
My mom tried to say more, but I cut her off. I had to go or I would be late.
“I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you all about it,” I promised. I would tell her it was perfectly boring just to keep her happy.
When I could finally end the call, I left the house and climbed into my car, driving to the address Brett had texted me.
The building was impressive. I had to sign myself in at the front desk, and they phoned up to let Brett know I was here. When he gave them the go-ahead, I walked to the elevator. He lived in the penthouse, and I rode the elevator up and up until it pinged and the doors slid open on the top floor. I stepped into a lobby with marble floors.
A door opposite me opened, and Brett stood in front of me.
“You look ravishing,” Brett said, looking me up and down, and the desire was clear on his face. I smiled and walked toward him. He kissed me on the cheek, and it was achingly chaste. He stepped back, held out his arm into the apartment, and I walked inside.
The place was breathtaking. It had double volume ceilings on one side and a mezzanine level that led directly to a large window for the view. Stairs in the corner led up to a second story, and everything was light and bright. The marble floors continued into the living room where leather couches were arranged around a glass coffee table. There was a bar in the corner, and music floated around me.
Delicious smells came from the kitchen.
“Your place is amazing,” I said.
“Thank you. I took great care in choosing it.”
I walked toward the full-length window and looked out over Central Park. With the sun setting in the background and the luscious green of the park, the view was postcard-perfect.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Brett asked. “I have wine and other alcoholic beverages.”
I shook my head. “I’m still a bit tender after last night. Do you have fruit juice?”
