Page 29 of Perfect Pursuit

The burn the whiskey made as it came through my nose when he drops that line made my eyes tear up. “What did this one do?”

He goes on to explain how she unplugged all the cords in his office and used them to tie herself in some ritualistic bondage in front of the desk. “In front of the plate glass window on Main Street?” I screech.

“None other. And of course people took pictures of that shit and kept trying to post it to social media. Want to guess how I’ve been spending my day?”

“Deleting any dick pics she had possession of?” I smart, trying to tamper down the seed of jealousy that always arises.

“Do I look that stupid, Fal?” he snarls.

“Listen, if she was disturbed enough to be naked…”

“I haven’t had any woman in a manner long enough for her to get a dick pic, Fallon.” His voice drips ice.

“Well, excuse me for asking. Why else would someone tie themselves naked to the front of your store?” I hiss.

“Perhaps because they’re insane.” His voice could chill the burn from Szechuan chicken.

I mumble, “Insane over your cock.”

There’s a splash, a guzzle, then a slam before he shouts, “Goddamn it, witch! We’ve been so good about not going there with each other.”

Not by my choice. But thank God I keep those words to myself. Instead, I give him his meltdown before I try to bring him back on topic. “I think you’re being nice when you’re saying cuckoo, E.”

“Maybe I’m the one who’s losing it.”

“What? Why’s that?”

He mumbles something under his breath that involves being hexed. All I can do is smile and sip my drink while Ethan gets himself smashed and continues to fight the evils of social media against the drama of a woman who feels she’s been scorned.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

I might date @PRyanPOfficial if I could get into the #beckettmiller VIP section tonight at #redemption

—@CuTEandRich3

If it gave me half a chance to join you, I might let you, @CuTEandRich3 Did you hear about who is in there.

—@PRyanPOffical

Yes, Ryan. Thus, why I’m desperate.

—@CuTEandRich3

Two Years Ago

Hanging out in a VIP lounge at a nightclub with my best friend, her husband Mitch, her parents, and their friends, I tease, “I’ll say one thing about your life.”

“What’s that?”

“It certainly doesn’t lack for eye candy.”

Austyn bursts into gales of laughter. “You can thank my dad for that.”

I cut my eyes over to Austyn’s father and let loose a heartfelt sigh over his own gorgeousness. “Yes. It’s going to bother me terribly to have to go converse with your father.”

Austyn’s about to open her mouth to slap me down when her eyes widen dramatically. Then she shouts, “Uncle Jess!” before taking off at a run.

---