Chapter 6: Abby
Flowers? Really?
I stared at the roses sitting next to my computer. I had already ripped up the card and threw it in the trash. The kiss Max planted on my lips left me burning with desire, but after having twenty-four hours to think about it, I was once again firmly opposed to him. The words left behind by the woman at the club resonated in my ear. It didn’t matter if he was hot as hell or if he made me wet, he was nothing more than Mr. Mistake.
I opened my email and stared at the request from Mr. Hawthorne. He wanted all of my analysis and data on the pitch I made because Energy Enhanced was going to fully embrace my idea.
“Abby!” I heard a voice and turned to see Mary-Katherine walking towards me.
“Mary-Katherine...” I blinked a couple of times. “What are you doing here?”
“We have a lunch date. Did you forget? Who sent you flowers!” She turned the vase and pulled a rose close so she could smell it.
“I totally forgot...” I sighed. “Those are from a client. They were happy with one of my ideas.”
“A client?” She grinned. “Is it a guy, because I don’t think clients send red roses unless they’re interested in more than just your ideas.”
“I don’t want to talk about it here.” I grabbed my purse and motioned for her to follow me outside.
***
“MR. MISTAKE?” MARY-Katherine started laughing as soon as she heard the story of what transpired outside the club. “I thought you just went to the bathroom. I didn’t realize someone tried to kidnap you!”
“It wasn’t a kidnapping...” I lifted my glass and sipped diet soda through my straw. “He was kind of charming, but come on—how do I get past that?”
“You don’t.” Mary-Katherine shrugged. “How long are you going to wait to lose your virginity? He sounds like the perfect guy for it. He’s experienced, hotter than anyone I’ve ever been with, and if the condom breaks, he’s rich as fuck.”
“So, I spent my whole life waiting for Mr. Right and I just throw myself at Mr. Mistake because I’m horny?” I shook my head and glared at her.
“It’s Maxwell Martin.” She pointed at me with both fingers. “You have a chance to fuck Maxwell Martin.”
“He doesn’t like being called Maxwell—ugh.” I let out a grunt when I realized I had just repeated what he said to me.
“See, you already know him.” She grinned. “Plus, he sent you flowers. Just take off your panties and mail them to him, because he’s getting them one way or the other.”
“You’re seriously no help.” I paused when the waitress brought our salads. “I wanted you to tell me I shouldn’t hook up with the bastard.”
“All of the good ones are bastards.” She shrugged. “I’m not telling you to marry him—but I mean, if he asks...”
“He’s not going to ask.” I shook my head back and forth. “Based on what the woman at the club said, he gets around.”
“He bought you flowers. He’s going to ask you out again, so just go out with him. If something feels off, give me a call and I’ll come save you.” She dug her fork into her salad and grinned at me again.
Mary-Katherine made it sound so easy to just fuck a stranger. When I was a little girl I dreamed of being romanced and eventually seduced by my husband on my wedding night. I guess I should blame my parents for those old-fashioned values in a world where sex was pretty much mandatory by the third date. Max didn’t seem like the type of guy who made it to the second date—hell, he didn’t seem like the kind of guy who even made it to the first date. I knew I should stay far, far away from him, no matter how hot he was, but the kiss was still burning in my mind.
It got even more complicated to say no when I got back to my office and opened my email.
Dinner.
Tonight
Remington’s — 7pm
Wear something sexy.
-Max
Five lines of text. I was only worth one sentence and it was only three words. The whole email was a command rather than an invitation. I hit reply and typed up a diatribe of anger towards him, explaining why we would never work, and why he should leave me the hell alone. My finger lingered over the send button for several minutes as the screen blurred in my vision. I finally pushed the mouse to the right and closed it without sending it. When the office started to clear out, I was still staring at the screen. I had wasted most of the day and still hadn’t responded to Mr. Hawthorne’s email.
“Fuck...” I muttered as I opened Mr. Hawthorne’s email and started explaining why I thought my idea was a good move for Energy Enhanced.
It was five o’clock by the time I got my response together. My eyes centered on Max’s email again. No matter how bad I wanted to just respond and tell him no, I couldn’t stop remembering the kiss. I stood up and shut down my computer. I needed a dress and there was nothing in my closet that wouldn’t look out of place at Remington’s. It was one of the most upscale restaurants in the city. I sent a text message to Mary-Katherine and she immediately responded, telling me I should come to her place. I waved down a taxi and gave them her address.