Page 11 of We're One

“Two drinks for two beautiful women,” Zach says as he sets the drinks down then takes a seat at our table. I want to tell him to go away, but Nikki has invited him, so I’d simply come out sounding like a shrew.

“We don’t do threesomes, if that’s what you’re hoping for,” Nikki says with another flutter of her lashes. Her words make me choke on my drink. Zach reaches over and pats my back.

“Never been my thing. To each their own.” He looks at me. “I prefer taking my time and giving all I have to one beautiful woman.”

Oh, I remember how much time he spends on the female body. He was good back then. I don’t want to imagine how he’d be now. It’s got to be out of this world. But this is a path I absolutely can’t afford to go down.

“So, are you excited about your house?” I ask, needing to change the subject. He beams at me.

“I am, but it’s going to take a lot of planning. When can you come by again? The sooner the better. I’ve cleared my schedule for the entire month.” My thoughts of not having to spend much time with him are getting thrown right out the window. He’s going to definitely be a hands on client . . . and I wish I could hate the thought of this a whole lot more than I do. Maybe Nikki has a point.

I lift my drink and down a bit too much. “Of course I want you to be happy with the finished product, which is why I’ve put some things together. I’m not done, though. I want a complete package before you see it. I can drop off samples for you to peruse at your leisure.” I don’t need to be with him for that part.

He shakes his head. “I’m hopeless with this sort of stuff. I’ll need you to walk through every... single... detail with me. I’m more than willing to pay extra, as I know it will eat into your time and make it impossible to do other projects.” He makes sure to emphasize these words so it’s more than clear he expects to spend a lot of time with me.

I’m not sure if he’s saying I need to be available twenty-four/seven, or what he’s implying, but again, I can’t lose this job. It’s too important for my career. I’m going to have to suck it up and deal with it like the adult I am.

“I normally take a week to get things together. If I put in extra time, I can have something together by Tuesday,” I offer.

“Maybe we can do it all together. We could meet tomorrow,” he suggests.

I shake my head. “No, that won’t work. Tuesday’s the soonest.” I stay firm with this. If I start allowing him to walk on me now, it will all be over. His grin grows as if he knows this is a battle of wills. He nods, deciding to give me this little victory. I should be thankful for small favors.

“Tuesday will work. I have your number if I have questions over the weekend.”

Another shudder goes through me. I’ve had nightmare clients before who want me to be at their beck and call. It’s all part of the business. I don’t think any of them will compare to Zach though. I can tell he’s going to be a thorn in my side for the duration. I have to keep reminding myself how much this will grow my business. I’ll get through it, and I might have a few scars after all is said and done, but scars mean I have a great story to tell. No one has an adventurous life without having a few marks left on their bodies and souls.

I excuse myself to use the restroom and pull myself together. When I come back out Zach and Nikki are talking like lifelong friends. I want to punch both of them. I put up with it for a bit longer before I say I have a headache and it’s time to go.

Zach stands, tells us he’s had a great evening, and walks away. Nikki chatters away as we leave the club. I can’t allow them to be together again. If Zach gets Nikki on his side, I’m well and truly screwed. And I desperately need her to remind me what a bad idea it is for me to get involved with him. He’s a player and I’m not going down that road again. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll eventually convince myself of this.

Chapter Five

Zach

I walk away from the table only slightly disappointed I didn’t get that dance with Sia, but still, I made progress. Any man knows if he wants to win a woman over, he’d dang well better get her best friend on his side. If he’s not in good with the bestie, he might as well tuck tail and run. I’ve never played this game before, but tonight I’ve enjoyed it.

I didn’t have to fake my conversation with Nikki. Sia’s best friend is engaging and fun, and it shows a lot about who Sia is. Who a person surrounds themselves with says a lot about them. She’s the Yin to Sia’s Yang. I might be getting that slightly wrong, but I like it anyway.

Back upstairs, Blaze sits back as he watches me approach. He’s wearing his typical grin. He thinks I’ve struck out. I might’ve slightly struck out, but it wasn’t a no-hitter by any means. I consider tonight great progress.

“How did it go?” Blaze asks. The waitress immediately shows up and I order another drink. I’m about ready to go, but one for the road won’t hurt.

“It went well,” I tell him. My drink arrives and I sip on it. My slugging time is over.

“She’s not with you,” he points out.

“That wasn’t the plan. I wouldn’t have been opposed to that, but I’m not crushed either.”

“It looked like you had the friend eating out of your hand.”

“Of course you were watching,” I say with a chuckle.

“It isn’t every day I get to see my brother turned down so effectively.”

“You’re enjoying this a bit too much.”

“Like you haven’t enjoyed those rare moments when I’ve been humbled,” Blaze says.

---