Madison

There’s no update on my car, and I’m dreading the phone call I’ll have to make to my father. He’s going to lose his shit, then lecture me and make me go car shopping with him so he can pick it out while giving me the rundown on car safety.

My day’s about to start, and since last night with Bryce, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.

He dropped me off this morning and walked me inside. I didn’t protest … that much. Bryce was attentive, and before we left, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast of eggs, fruit, coffee, bacon, and croissants. The conversation was easygoing because I wasn’t holding any hostility. Slowly, I was seeing him as a friend.

“Do I want to know why you didn’t come home last night? And is that a new outfit?”

I blanch, forgetting all about Kaylee and her interrogation. “My car got stolen,” I honestly tell her. There’s no point in keeping anything from her. “Then Bryce saw me stranded, so he took me back to his place, and no, nothing happened, Kaylee. We had breakfast this morning, then Bryce and Peter took me to work, and I bought this red dress since I didn’t have anything else with me.”

Kaylee’s positioned in front of me, and her hands quickly land on my shoulders. The look of what the hell did you just tell me is in her eyes, and I know she’s about to fire twenty million questions at me.

“Nothing happened. I was doing him a favor. Not a big deal.” I shrug her off.

“Right.” Kaylee draws out the word. “Let me get this straight. Your car gets stolen, and magically, out of nowhere, Bryce is in the parking lot, and he takes you to his place, and you spend the night. I know something else happened, and you’re going to tell me!”

“I swear, nothing happened.”

Kaylee stares at me with her judging eyes. “How? Do you want cobwebs in your vag again? I mean, seriously, you were in bed with a sexy as sin man and nothing happened? You’ve slept with him before. Why not make it a second time?”

“We didn’t share a bed. He was a gentleman and offered me the guest bedroom. Sorry to ruin your fantasy of my nonexistent sex life.”

Kaylee rolls her eyes. “And whose fault is that? I mean, really, Madison? You’re doing so well not to think about the asshole, and you’re holding back on a possibility. Live a little.”

I love my best friend because she’s always there for me and brutally honest. Crap. Am I losing it? I’ve never been good at playing the game, and I think games to get someone’s attention are immature anyway. Either way, I’m fine with my decision not to allow anything to happen.

I get up from the chair and flip her off. “Then so be it. It is what it is. Don’t overthink it because I’m not. Plus, getting with Bryce Hunter will only bring me drama and pain. I don’t need that in my life, and you should know that.”

Kaylee smiles and squeezes my hand. “I know, babe. Sometimes, I think you’re afraid to get back into a relationship. In your eyes, all men are pigs. Maybe Bryce is someone worth thinking about.”

I push away that thought and pull her with me. “Come help me with this project before Glenn comes in.”

“Fine,” she concedes, letting me change the subject.

Kaylee and I spend most of the morning getting things organized and confirming appointments. There’s an important gala this weekend, and people are scrambling to get the latest designs and outfits. We have records of everything purchased. Glenn sent us an email, stating if duplicates are purchased, he’s going to have a heart attack, and we’ll feel his wrath. Luckily, our store is one the top stores, ensuring we get all the newest lines. Our client list is exclusive. There is no way duplicates will be made.

Before noon, I run out on a coffee run. Outside is pleasant with no clouds in the sky, so it sucks I’m stuck inside all day. I wish I could leave work early, head to the park, and just be. I check my phone for any messages about my car.

And there’s nothing.

This is pissing me the hell off. I groan and make a note to call my father after work and explain what happened.

“I’m back,” I sing to Kaylee and twirl in a circle. “Tell me you love me before I hand this latte over to you.”

“Does it have an extra shot of espresso?”

“Mmmhmm.”

“I love you to the moon and back!”

We’re filling out paperwork and watching Galen talk to a group of housewives. He’s putting on the charm. No one knows he’s gay, so women eat him up and love the way he treats them. It’s hilarious, to be honest.

“I have to tell you something,” Kaylee says and puts down her pen, scooting closer to me.

“What’s up?”

“Remember that date I had a few nights ago?” She sighs.

“Kinda. You didn’t say much, and I thought it was a bust.”

“Oh. It was. Total waste of time. Are there any decent men left in this city? Or rather this world? I’ve had six horrible dates, but this hits number one as the worst date ever.”

“What the hell happened?”

She picks up the pen and twirls it between her fingers. I know this story isn’t going to be good. Whenever Kaylee is annoyed, she fidgets and twirls things in her hand. “First, we had dinner. It was okay. He kept talking about his ex-wife and their upcoming divorce. And then he starts crying! CRYING, Madison. You know I don’t handle pussies. Literally, I sat there, crossed my arms over my chest, and laughed. He looked at me all puppy dog eyed and asked why I was being mean. I told him straight up why, and he stopped crying, then excused himself to use the bathroom. Do you know what that fucker did to me?”

Oh shit, this doesn’t sound good. “What?”

“Left me with our bill! Our bill was a hundred and seventy-five dollars!” She scoffs. “I mean, who the hell does that? By the time I paid and went outside, he was long gone. I sent him a text, telling him if I ever saw him again, he’ll be missing an important part of his body. No response. Nothing. As I said, there are no more decent men in this world. I’m going to die alone with a million cats.”

I pat her back. “No, you won’t.” I giggle at the image of Kaylee and cats.

We work side by side for the next few hours. My feet are killing me, but these heels are too sexy not to wear. I reach for my coffee, and the cup’s empty. Checking the time, I realize a refuel is needed.

“Kaylee?” I walk over to where she’s standing and try to get her attention.

“Yes.” She takes her phone out of her pocket and taps away. I’m not sure who she’s texting.

“Coffee?”

“I need another recharge. Do you mind going again?”

“No worries. I’ll be back.”

The coffee shop is a close walk. I place our orders, and while I wait, I check my phone to see if Bryce texted me, but there’s nothing from him. I really shouldn’t be upset, so why the hell am I? Maybe he realizes I’m not worth it since nothing has happened between us. He should keep thinking that because I won’t give in.

I don’t think.

With our rechargers in my hands, I head back and see Peter, aka Big and Scary, waiting by the door.

“Hey. What’s going on?”

He gives me a nod and smile. “Mr. Hunter would like you to have this. He’d give it to you himself, but he’s in meetings all day.” Peter hands me a small box, but then sees my hands are full. “Let me walk you back to work.”

“Okay.”

I can’t help but wonder what’s in the box and what Bryce would have gotten me. “It’s not necessary, and I hope he knows that.”

“He does, girly. He does.”

“Oh. Okay.”

We get to the store, and I hand Kaylee her coffee and let her know I’ll be back, then I go back downstairs with Peter. The elevator ride is quiet. I want to ask him if he knows why Bryce didn’t send me a text, but the ding makes me forget, and I walk him to the door.

“Here you are, girly. Now, let me warn you. Just accept it. Mr. Hunter won’t take it back, and you’ll hurt his feelings if you try to return it or refuse to accept it. Take my word and accept it.”

“Um. You’re confusing me.”

He smiles again. “Once you open it, you’ll know. Have a good day, girly. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”

Peter walks out without looking back, so I head back to work. In the elevator, I stare at the tiny box. It’s wrapped in gold wrapping paper with a white ribbon tied around the box. For sure, it looks fancy. I don’t have the slightest clue what’s in the box, though. The doors open, and I walk back on the floor to see Kaylee and Galen standing around the counter. They’re both looking at me and see the box in my hands.

“Open it!” Galen squeals, so I do.

I gently peel off the ribbons and the wrapping paper. The white box stares at me, and my heart literally feels like it’ll jump out of my chest and flop around. It’s beating extremely fast and hard.

My eyes go wide when I lift the box cover off, and I’m sprinting out of work, yelling at Kaylee to cover for me.