Chapter 10

Rob

“What the fuck happened to you?” I ask Mason after I set my beer on the table. He looks like shit. We’re having dinner at the bar down the street from Oui. I want to check to see if for some reason she came back, but I know she’s not going to be there. This is an impromptu dinner because Mason asked for it.

Mason gives me a scowl, slamming down his beer on the table a little harder than normal. “Look who’s motherfucking talking. I doubt it’s the same problem I have, but if it is, then I must look like total shit.”

“You both do,” James mutters. He goes back to his food, shaking his head at us. One day he may understand.

“If yours is a beautiful blonde who ran off after giving you the best night of your life, then it’s the same problem.”

“No, I can’t get my beautiful blonde to talk to me. Please don’t tell me her name is Winter.”

“No, definitely not,” I mutter, shaking my head. That would be the worst possible fucking nightmare.

“Thank fuck for that.”

“So both of you are miserable over women that want shit to do with you. That blows,” James remarks, taking a long pull from his beer.

“She’s not the only woman problem in my life. My assistant is pushing it,” I complain.

“Damn, is she getting more obvious?” Mason asks.

“Yes,” I admit begrudgingly.

“I told you to fire her when I was at your office. That woman hangs on your every word,” Mason adds, grabbing his beer and tipping it back for a long drink. I flip him off because he was right, but she’s a great assistant. Well, she was until last night.

“So what did she do? Show up sprawled on your desk in some sexy outfit?” James teases.

“No, she was drunk last night and said some less than professional comments to me. I stepped away and warned my HR person to give me the heads up. He called me to say she left an hour after I did with one of the mailroom guys in the cab I called for her.”

“Well, maybe he made her forget about you,” James offers.

“I hope so. I’d hate to lose such a fantastic assistant. She managed everything so damn well without complaint,” I sigh. This is added stress I didn’t need.

“Yeah because she was hoping you’d give her one hell of a raise,” Mason jokes, taking another drink.

“Maybe you need to lay off the booze,” I caution.

“Nope. I’ve called a cab to come get me. I’m having dinner with the Grable’s tomorrow to discuss the sale. We’re a bit closer, but I’m having huge motherfucking doubts. Talk about a woman who is blind to the truth. Grable’s daughter makes your assistant look innocent.”

“Really? It’s that bad?”

“Yeah and my woman works for them.”

“Damn, well maybe you can get the company and the girl at the same time. Two for the price of one,” James laughs, eating his steak without a care in the world. His life is all good, and he doesn’t have some woman destroying it.

“That’s what I’m hoping for. If not, I’ll just take her. Fuck, I’m ready to kidnap her pretty ass and tie her to my bed.”

“Man, great minds think alike. Only if I could find my woman,” I grumble. It’s not as if I have a clue even where to start.

“Hell, can’t you look her up online?” James asks.

Regrettably, I admit, “I only have her first name.”

“Wow,” Mason blows out. “Then hire a private investigator. If you took her to your place, get the footage off the cameras and give it to them,” Mason adds.

“I seriously considered it, and it sounds like you did too, but the movie There’s Something About Mary goes through my head when I think about hiring someone. And I can’t stand the idea of another guy getting that close to her.” As much as I hate it, hiring a detective may be my only recourse.

“What’s her name?” James questions, and just before I’m about to answer our waitress appears.

“Hey fellas, do you need another round?” our new waitress asks. She’s in her fifties and doesn’t give us that flirty tone. She’s friendly and pleasant without looking for more than a great tip.

“One more please,” Mason says, but James shakes his head.

“We’re done. The check please,” I say.

“It’s my turn anyway,” Mason argues.

“I’m not in the mood to party.” I pull out my wallet and drop the tip. “Are you sure you’re good to get home, Mason? You could spend the night at my place.”

“I think I’ll take you up on that,” he slurs, handing the waitress his card.

We finish off our drinks, waiting for her to bring back the card. Once she does, we’re out. James heads to his car then Mason, and I stumble back to my place.

“You can take the guest bedroom down the hall,” I tell him as he kicks off his shoes and nearly tumbles. Damn, I am that bad, but I’ve taken my pain out at the gym.

“Claim her as soon as you can. Don’t take no for an answer,” I add before walking up the stairs to my bedroom.