Page 29 of Ruthless Love

With her hair falling over a shoulder and all traces of her makeup wiped off, Evie sucks the sugar off the head of a Sour Patch Kid, losing herself in a rom-com with a ridiculous story that would never, ever happen. But it has enough witty banter, amusing plot lines, and semi-nude sex scenes that I take a peek here and there.

Between the infrequent snippets of soft porn, I pass the time using a database on my phone that I shouldn’t have access to from an agency that still wants me back, and get up close and personal with the girl sporting pink flannel pants and a sweetly snug shirt that reads cupcakes are my love language.

Name: Evelyn Anne Banks.

Age: Twenty-seven.

Siblings: One, a hopeless drug addict with bi-weekly appearances on the news for bad behavior, and who holds the title of CEO of Banks Multimedia.

Nice.

Her parents are divorced, though there have been some very recent rumors of her mother being romantically involved with Everett Long, recently retired CEO of Long Multinational. Evie’s graduated top of her class since kindergarten, has just enough speeding tickets and bar brawls on her record to impress me, and has no financial connection to Long Multinational, though she’s listed on their website as counsel of record. Not exactly a smoking gun, but interesting, nonetheless.

I don’t bother looking up Dimitri. I don’t have to. In the fifteen months since my last look-see, his dossier was filled with one atrocity after another, and I doubt the son of a bitch has found God.

Eventually, Evie loses the tug-of-war with sleep, and I wait until she nods off during the movie’s latest banter-before-sex scene. When her breathing is heavy and deep, I confiscate the bowl from her lap still filled with popcorn, M&Ms, and one headless gummy, and then head out.

Chapter Fourteen

EVIE

One week later

“Evie ...” Margot keeps her voice low at this important, precedent-setting corporate event at the illustrious Long Multinational headquarters. “You might need a ride too, since I believe that’s your second double.”

I cling to my glass, amused as her quick hand manages to snatch it away. So what if I’m a little drunker than a skunk at a corporate event? I’m a volunteer. I’m entitled. Plus, it’ll probably be the only way I’ll get to sleep for the first time in a week.

I’ve run out of ideas of how to stop thinking about Austin. Or, for that matter, how to avoid Dimitri. He’s dropped by my house half a dozen times, so I did what any self-respecting and thoroughly mortified woman would do. I killed the lights, kept the curtains shut, and hid.

After Margot’s offer, I vaguely remember getting into the back seat of Coop’s car and passing out shortly thereafter. But when I come to, Margot and Coop—who play it off as mortal enemies whenever they’re in the boardroom—sound a lot closer than they’ve let on. Now, the two of them are suddenly going to Big Sur for a family gathering.

“So,” Margot says in her naturally raspy tone that I’ve always been jealous of, “I’m not the only one you spank?”

Nice. Sitting up a little straighter, I shake off my grogginess and listen closer.

Coop’s response corroborates my suspicions. “Well, all I know is that if Evie weren’t in the back seat, I’d be pulling over and we’d be back there. Where the hell is her house?”

“Not much farther,” I pipe up, ready to join the conversation. “So, when are we all going to Big Sur?” Because getting far away from the fiancé I can’t shake, and my neighborly temptation, is exactly what I need.

“Oh God.” Margot drops her head into her hands for a second as I hold my breath, eager for a favorable verdict.

After a few rounds of negotiations, I feel this escape plan is nearly in the palm of my hand. So I double down with a weapon I’ve used since Margot and I met in grade school, and it’s definitely her kryptonite.

Pulling out all the stops, I hand her my closing argument wrapped in an annoying whine. “You know if you say no, I’ll hunt you down and probably interrupt your most intimate and embarrassing moments. Just bring me like another piece of luggage. You won’t even know I’m there.”

“Why do I seriously doubt that?” Margot glances at Coop, a silent plea for reinforcements.

He totally caves, giving in to my demands with barely a protest. Sucker.

Which is perfect. The two men I’m avoiding like raw oysters, fake Birkins, and syphilis will both be in Dallas, and I’ll be in California. I’ll be able to sit back, relax, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that steering clear of trouble will be a piece of cake.

Chapter Fifteen

AUSTIN

With my sneakers on and earbuds in, I take a passing glance at my cell, hearing the familiar chime ring through in stereo in my ears before tapping it through. I answer but begin the first leg of my ten-mile run.

“What’s up, Coop?”

---