Page 89 of Playboy Boss

Chapter Thirty-Two

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this was Konrad’s surprise birthday party!” Scottie felt the anxiety turn her stomach. “Are you kidding me, Tara! After last night?” Scottie could kill Tara. She could shove her in the oven with those damn salmon puffs.

Tara’s eyes were wide in panic. She’d been dressing a frisée and watermelon salad. “I’m sorry. I really needed someone. I didn’t know—”

“That’s really fucked up. Tara!” Scottie wanted to walk out on her friend. For real. She’d felt betrayed yet again.

“I’m sorry. I just thought you still needed extra cash.”

She dropped her face in her hands. “I don’t need to make extra money to buy back the brooch anymore.” Scottie really hated her life at the moment. Especially since she still had feelings for Konrad. She hated that last night had happened. Hated more that she couldn’t be walking into the party on his arm.

Tara lifted her tongs from the salad. “Wait. What do you mean you don’t need to buy the brooch back?”

A minor detail she’d left out from her meltdown after Konrad had left. She sighed. “He bought the brooch for me last night, but I couldn’t accept it.”

“Are you serious?” Tara was in disbelief. “That’s your grandmother’s brooch. You cherish that thing. And you didn’t accept it from Konrad? Why?”

Scottie stared at her friend. Did Tara really think she was the crazy one? The look in her eyes made it seem that way. “Because he buys everything and everyone. I can’t be bought.”

Tara stood, stunned. “Wow. I’m not sure who I feel sorrier for.”

Scottie felt like she was punched in the stomach. “I can’t believe you said that. And you’re still the wrong one here. You used me.” She untied her apron. “I’m out of here.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I need you, Scottie.” Tara’s voice was weak. Desperate. “I don’t have anyone else.”

Scottie closed her eyes, all the memories of their long friendship coming forth. God. She could not abandon her friend. There were at least fifty people to serve. Tara couldn’t do it alone. But could Scottie swallow her pride? Could she see Konrad, the man who had broken her heart, and serve him and his friends salmon puffs and frisée salad?

Under her breath, she said, “I’m going to regret this.” To Tara, she didn’t say anything, only retrieved the apron and tied it around her waist again.

“I love you,” Tara said, going back to her salad.

“If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.” Scottie turned to the oven and removed a pan of salmon puffs to plate and serve. Maybe she could put a paper bag over her face. Or maybe she could just be an adult and know sometimes things don’t go as planned.

With tray in hand and her heart in her throat, Scottie walked out into the packed penthouse. Through the dining area, the lounging area, and the main living, she hadn’t seen Konrad, though she knew he was there. The cheers of his arrival had made her stomach drop to the floor, her anxiety rushing through her like vomit the morning after a binge.

The party was lively. Chatter. Glasses clanking. Laughter. Carefree. It made her both angry and sad. Her stomach flopped again the farther she moved through the maze of beautiful, wealthy people. I don’t want to be here. Damn her loyalty and love for Tara.

“Salmon puff?” she asked random people, practically thrusting the tray in their faces. She didn’t want to see anyone. She was lucky most took one without any conversation, and she slowly grew to hate them and what they represented: her failed attempt at a relationship. Her failed attempt to let someone in.

“Salmon puff?” She raised her gaze to Dallas. Her muscles tensed, her skin burning. Asshole. He wasn’t, though. Konrad was the asshole. She didn’t want to acknowledge the part of her that disagreed with that conclusion. It was all too fresh to take a different perspective.

“Sure, Scottie. I’ll take one.” He accepted the cocktail napkin she handed him and slid a puff off the tray. He didn’t eat it though. Instead, he stared with his brown eyes intense on her, as if he had something to say.

What could he possibly have to say? Scottie knew Dallas had known about them, which meant he most certainly knew about last night.

Unnerved, she asked, “Is something wrong with your salmon puff?”

Just walk away, Scottie. She didn’t need to hear anything Dallas had to say. And, frankly, she had nothing to say to Dallas. Or to any of Konrad’s friends for that matter. She caught gazes with Pilar, who walked a few feet behind Dallas.

Great. Could it get any worse? Scottie definitely had nothing to say to her, but she couldn’t help notice how perfect she looked traipsing across the room with her perfect dress and perfect body. Scottie couldn’t stop thinking how Konrad knew Pilar. Knew what she looked like naked, and what she sounded like. The thought made her sick. Oh God, was Pilar there with him? No. No. No. Scottie couldn’t continue the thought.

“Are you all right?” Dallas asked, his voice startling her.

“You better eat that before it gets too cold to enjoy.” Scottie pivoted, feeling icy cold inside.

“Scottie?” Her name on his lips stopped her. “That list was my fault.”

Her heart stopped. Turning, she faced him. “What?”

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