Page 19 of Unleashing Chaos

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Cannon seriously should be a motivational speaker with all this hopeful, “let’s look on the bright side” nonsense. When it comes to love, at least from what I’ve seen, there is no bright side.

Desi sighs and sits back in her chair. “I guess I’m going to just cool it with the dating for a little bit; maybe the right guy will just march up to me at the mall and tell me how gorgeous he thinks I am,” she says with a breathy laugh, taking another sip of her drink.

I pull my lips between my teeth and stare at the bubbles floating up from the bottom of my glass. Desi is stunning. There is no question that she can find someone who would want to be with her just for that. But she deserves better. I’ve lived with her for going on two weeks and every day I’m unpacking a new Desideria mystery. Ninety days isn’t enough time for anyone to fully know her, and it doesn’t give her a fair chance to know them either. How the hell is she supposed to dedicate her entire life to someone she just met?

Taking a deep breath, I face her and say, “I don’t understand why it’s so important to your father that you get married. People run successful businesses and hold it together just fine without a partner. You said the other night that your dad would settle for you picking a friend. Why don’t you go that route? Wouldn’t it be easier?”

“Sure, it would be easier now, but if I did that, I would never be able to go back and change my mind. Whatever we choose is for eternity.”

I raise an eyebrow. For eternity? What a strange way to phrase it.

Her cheeks flush and she continues, “For life. And then I’d never be able to marry for love. And I want that too much to settle.”

I cock my head to the side and nudge her with my shoulder. “I don’t know where you’re from, Desideria, but your family has some strange customs. Around here, half the relationships don’t last five years, let alone a lifetime.”

“Trust me, I know it’s strange. Which is why I’m really enjoying my time here. Thank you both for being my friends, honestly. I couldn’t do this without your help.”

It’s clear she’s feeling down and stressed about this whole situation. There’s no need to keep harping on it.

Leaning in, I drape my arm over the back of her chair and stage-whisper, “You’re not going to ask us to join your bizarre family business, are you?”

She laughs and elbows me in the side, to which I respond with an exaggerated oof. “No. You’re safe from my father’s brand of strange.”

Damn, that bright smile and laugh. It’s been a long time since someone genuinely laughed at one of my stupid jokes. I would sit here all night acting a fool just to see and hear that again.

“Jace! What a surprise to see you here.”

At the sound of a familiar, yet out of place voice, I swivel in my seat. A man with salt and pepper hair wearing a suit claps me on the back.

Matt Brown. The one investor I am dead set on bringing onboard to financially back Aftermath. I don’t trust many people in our industry. I’ve seen ideas stolen and projects swept out from under a designer after they’ve done all the legwork. But Matt is an anomaly. Not only does he care about the integrity of his personal reputation, he has the capital to help fund my company, and he’s an incredible graphic designer. Scratch that, he is the god of graphic design. I’ve admired his art for years. If he believed in my work and what I’m doing, it would validate every dream I’m chasing.

“Hey, Matt. It’s good to see you,” I say, rising to push my chair back so I can stand to shake his hand.

“No, no,” he replies, gesturing for me to remain seated. “Don’t get up. You look cozy.” A good-natured but teasing smirk turns up the corner of his lips. “Who’s this beautiful woman you have with you?” he says after leaning over the table and exchanging a quick introduction with Cannon.

My cheeks heat from the implication that Desi is with me. “Oh, this is Desideria. She’s my—”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Desideria. I’m Matt Brown.” He brings Desi’s knuckles to his lips and places a light kiss on them. “Your date is one hell of a graphic designer. He’s one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. This guy has talent seeping out of every pore.”

Wow. I never realized Matt was such a flirt. He’s way too old for Desi, and I’m pretty sure he’s on his fourth marriage, but he’s laying it on thick. It’s clear she’s already enchanted him, and he’s only just met her. And my date? What is he talking about? Why would he automatically think I’m her—oh. My arm. It’s draped over the back of Desi’s chair. Shaking my head, I stifle a laugh. This should be interesting.

Desi flashes Matt that same smile I was admiring, slides her palm onto my thigh and squeezes, saying, “Doesn’t he, though? I’ve never seen someone who can just . . . envision something and then turn around and create it so easily, just like that.” She snaps her fingers and turns her head to look at me adoringly. “Not to mention he’s the best human I know.”

Well, then. The woman can beat Matt at his own game. I shouldn’t be surprised. Desi’s always quick on the comebacks. I was shocked to hear she put her foot in her mouth before she had a chance to leave the house with her first date. She’s blunt and never afraid to ask a question, but she has this charm that gets to me even when she’s infuriating me.

Matt chuckles. “And I thought I got a hard-on from your work. I think Desi is outranking me as your number one fan.”

I open my mouth to downplay the compliment, but Desi beats me to it, saying, “I’m pretty sure Jace is just as turned on by your work. He practically has a shrine to you in our hallway.”

And there it is, Desideria’s blatant charm. I search for the nearest table to hide under. This is going to be bad. He’s going to think I’m some kind of pervert. I’ll have to close the business. My career is going straight down the—

Matt quirks a brow. “Your girl is good. I just might write you a check right now.”

My jaw drops, and Desi pinches my knee, bringing me out of my shock. I’ve been working for months to get a reaction out of Matt. Detailed proposals and insight into new accounts, I’ve done it all. He’s responded to each effort with a simple: Thanks. I’ll take a look when I can. If I’d known all I needed to do was tell him his work turns me on, I would have sent him a dick pic a long time ago.

Desi leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder. “I guess Jace better keep me around, huh?”

“He better,” Matt says, giving me a pointed look. “He’s going to need you the week after next at the charity dinner I’m inviting you both to. Some other well-known designers will be there with their pieces up for auction. It’ll be a good networking opportunity for him, and I’m sure you’ll be amazing at winning them all over.”

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