Page 28 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"I will tell you everything that I can find." She taps away on her phone, her nose wrinkled as she sets about her task. "So this is what Google has to say about our man, Jack: he's worth an estimated eight hundred sixty-three million. Wow, that's a lot of money." Her eyes widen. "He's been married twice. He has two sons from his first marriage. It looks like he's only been married to his current wife for four years. And she is significantly younger than him." She pauses and looks up at me. "You will never guess how old she is." She shakes her head. "Wow, she looks younger than me."

"So she's fifty-two?" I ask with a straight face. "Because you look like you're about fifty-five." I lean back and I chuckle as she rolls her eyes and starts laughing.

"I know I do not look like I'm fifty-five." She grins. "Stop comparing everyone to yourself. You're about sixty right?"

"I wouldn't say that." I lean toward her and watch as she swallows hard and wonders what I'm going to do next. "If you're worried that I need the little blue pill, you don't need to be. Sir Spector does his?—"

"Not interested." She cuts me off. "Looks like Jack has investments all over the world and supposedly has aspirations to run for president one day." She rubs the side of her face. "So perhaps we're about to meet a future president."

"Perhaps." I nod. Interesting that Jack Whittington would specifically request me to work on his divorce. There has to be some sort of catch.

"So, you said his wife cheated on him?"

"Yes, that's what Kingston said." I nod. "It should be straight-forward if there was a prenup with a cheating clause; which I assume there would be."

"Why isn't he using the attorney that drafted the prenup for the divorce?" Lila asks and I shake my head. The question has crossed my mind several times.

"We shall see." I say. "When we get to his home, please do not ask any questions."

"Why would I do that?" She rolls her eyes.

"I know you think you're Maria Conchita Estella whoever, the best paralegal in all the land, but…"

"That was for a role, Max." She glares at me, but I can see her blue eyes sparkling. "You're really trying hard to get on my nerves, aren't you?"

"Why would I want to do that?" I ask softly, and we just stare at each other for a few moments. There's static in the air, a spark that threatens to burst into flames. My throat feels dry for a moment, my legs stiff. We can't seem to look away from each other. Then she leans forward and brushes something off of my chin and the touch of her fingers against my skin scorches me.

"You had a crumb." She licks her lips nervously. "I didn't think you'd want Jack Whittington to see part of your breakfast bagel on your chin and think you're a messy eater."

"No, I don't think I would have wanted that." I nod and smile slightly, taken aback by the moment we just shared. It makes me uncomfortable. This blonde, flirty, vivacious, beautiful woman is like a tornado in my life and I have a feeling that she could do a lot of damage if I let her.

I’m not going to though.

I’m not Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.

I don't want to get swept off anywhere.

I refuse to allow Lila Haversham disrupt my life.

Chapter Ten

Lila

I am playing with fire and I am definitely going to be burned. I cannot believe that Max and I haven’t kissed or killed each other yet.

I cannot believe that we only met each other this morning. I feel like I’ve known the man a lifetime.

And I might just be a little crazy because I have an overwhelming desire to feel his lips on mine.

I now understand what it is to be both drawn to someone and want to run away at the same time. Max confuses and enrages me in the most delicious of ways, and if he wasn’t my boss, I’d go all in to see what sort of crazy he could bring to my life. I've always thought a great love affair could take my acting and emotional vulnerability to the next level.

However, he is my boss. I need the paycheck more than I need oxygen, and I don’t really need the emotional entanglement of being with a man like Max. Though, the more I think about it, the more I think that Max could be the perfect man to break my heart. My acting could really go to the next level if I got involved with a man like him.

I peek at him on the other side of the elevator. He's staring at something on his phone and there's a slight frown on his face, that for once is not directed at me.

The elevator doors open and we step out into the lobby of what appears to be a penthouse apartment. It's luxurious to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if the King of England himself stepped out. The expansive floors are all shining white marble and there's a huge crystal chandelier glittering from the embossed ceiling. A tall man with prominent features, who I recognize from my research as Jack Whittington, stands there waiting for us. I'm taken aback by how tight his gray suit fits his body. The trousers look like they could have been let out a little bit because his bulge is there for all to see.

"Do my eyes deceive me or do you look like you could become my third wife," Jack asks in dulcet tones as he takes my hand and kisses my palm. My heart races as I stare at him. It's weird because I really don't find him attractive, but still I'm drawn to him. I guess that's the magic of men with money. My palm tingles as he reluctantly lets go of my hand and takes a step back. He hums something under his breath and I feel my uncomfortability monitor rising quickly.

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