Page 76 of Mid-Thirties Slightly Hot Mess Female Seeking Billionaire

"Really, Ethan?"

"What?" He says, looking at me with a confused expression.

"Earn that money? Why don't you just say you want to make it rain on me?"

"I mean, if you want me to, I can throw dollars on you as you're moving up and down that pole."

I lick my lips nervously. I don't know about moving up and down the pole. I can barely get up and do a spin, but I'm not about to tell him that.

"Anyway," I say. "I just want you to understand one thing."

"Yes? What is that?"

"Nothing is going down tonight. This isn't a precursor to sex. This isn't a precursor to a lap dance. This isn't a precursor to any sort of dirty thing that might be in your mind right now."

"I know," he says, looking around my apartment. "We already determined that it was just to see the moves of the best pole dancer in New York City." He smiles at me widely. "I am really excited to see how the best performs."

I narrow my eyes as I stare at him. Why do I have a feeling that he knows that I'm not the best? Maybe because he's seen me dancing on a table and nearly fall, but I'm not going to even acknowledge that.

"You may have a seat on the couch over there," I say.

"Thank you," he says as he sits down. "So are we just going to get right to it or..."

"I mean, that's why you're here, right?"

He smirks. "No drink or anything?"

"What do you mean or anything?"

"I don't know. I know you love Chinese food. I figure maybe you might've ordered some."

"Oh, are you hungry?" I say quickly. "I can get some crackers and cheese for you if you want."

He stares at me for a couple of seconds and shakes his head. "No, but thank you for the offer."

"Would you like something to drink? I have a bottle of wine. I think I have a Merlot and I have a couple of ciders."

"Any beer?"

"No." I shake my head. "I don't really buy beer. I'm not really a beer girl. I mean, I'll drink it sometimes, but..." I pause as I realize I'm mumbling. "Anyway. You don't care about that. Cider or wine for alcohol or orange juice or water."

"I will have a cider, please," he says, leaning back and looking around. "Your place is really nice."

"It's small. Nothing like yours."

"But it's very well decorated."

"Thanks," I say, smiling at him. "I like to think that I could have been an interior decorator in another life."

"Is that something you have interest in?" He says as I head over to the fridge to grab him a cider.

"Oh, no. I mean I like it, but I could never be a professional." I shake my head as I head back with the cider. "Why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if that was something you were interested in pursuing. You know we have a lot of different avenues and opportunities at the company."

"I know," I say. "But I'm more interested in the writing part, you know, and music."

"I know," he says. "Your jingle was amazing."

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