Page 37 of Wanted

“You can’t take me,” I teased, a smile on my drunken face becauseI knew he was being funny.

“Yes, I can, especially since you’d probably be in one of yourstupors.”

“Whatever. What do you want me to do?” Grasping the back of myneck, I pulled at the tight muscles, throwing my head back to try and relievesome of the pain. My little movement almost caused me to fall over.

“I need you to sober up. I had to delay the designer again andshe didn’t seem too pleased, muttering something about other jobs and shit. Ican’t move it again. If we want this place up and running by the projecteddate, you have to get your priorities straight and put down the damn bottle.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear because all of a sudden, hewas yelling. Or had he been doing that the entire time? “I know. I got it. Iheard you.”

“Good. Now, what time are you swinging by my office today? Westill have to go over a couple more items before we can even give her the greenlight to start.”

“I’ll be by around two.” I was so done with our conversation. IfI heard one more of Kael’s lectures, I was going to lose it.

After hanging up the phone, I stumbled over to the desk, put thelid back on my new best friend Jack and headed upstairs to clean up.

~~~~

I arrived at Kael’s office with five minutes to spare. I feltlike shit and was sure I looked like it, too. If given the opportunity, I wassure my dear friend would be the first to point it out to me as well, trying tosolidify his point about how out of control I’d become.

His office door swung open and I was surprised to see Adarasauntering my way, a satisfied smile spread wide across her beautiful face. Whenher eyes met mine, her smile faltered for a brief moment. Still walking towardme, she opened her arms without hesitation and I walked right into them. It wasnice to feel a woman’s touch again, although her embrace was in no way sexual, simplycomforting.

“Oh, Alek, honey.” She kissed my cheek and hugged me tighter. “Howare you?”

“I’m fine.” When my simple statement did nothing to satiate her,I tried to lie to her again. “Really.”

“Uh-huh,” she appeased. “You have to come over to the house. Wewould love to have you.” We were still wrapped up in our embrace when herhusband strode out from his office, stopping for a split-second when he saw us.I knew he trusted me a thousand percent, but the sight of another man touchinghis wife was enough for him to still become a little riled. I didn’t blame him,either. I would have reacted the same exact way if he was touching Sara, eventhough she wasn’t mine any longer.

“All right, all right. Enough groping my wife, Devera. Handsoff.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He’d broken out the tough lovebit with me earlier, so as payback I decided to have a little fun with him.

I grabbed Adara, pressing my hands to the small of her back, anddrew her closer to me. None of our intimate areas were touching, but he got themessage. “I’m only too happy to accept the kind of comforting your wife iswilling to give me,” I taunted. I saw the look of irritation flicker in hiseyes, but I kept going. Plus, Adara was chuckling the whole time I incessantly teasedher husband. “Be a friend, Kael. I’m hurting here. I need this.” As I leanedcloser to whisper something in her ear, our hug was ripped apart.

“Not fucking funny, man.” He shot a disbelieving look at his wife,but it did nothing to squash the laughter which emanated from her lips. “Maybeif you weren’t such an asshole, you would have your own woman to molest.” Iknew he was trying to bait me, but I was too wrapped up in the teasing momentto reflect fully on his words.

“All right already. Stop fighting over little ol’ me.” Adara laughed.She reached up, cupped the side of Kael’s face and tenderly gazed at him. “I’llsee you at home, honey.” Giving him a quick kiss, she turned around to walkaway but not before giving me a friendly wink over her shoulder. My friend surewas one lucky son of a bitch.

If I waited for him to stop leering after his own wife, I’d bethere all day. Pushing past him, I walked into his office, grabbed a bottledwater from his fridge and plopped down on the couch.

We only had a limited amount of days left to hash out all thedetails before our newest project was set to go.So I’d better put my head on straight before Kael makes good on hispromise and tries to kick my ass.

~24~

Sara

The night had finally arrived. I’d reluctantly agreed toaccompany Alexa and Braden to Verdana’s new opening, where essentially theywere setting me up on a blind date.Atleast I’ll eat some good food.

I’d been taking better care of myself, eating more to helpreplenish the weight I’d lost. I’d even started running. Each time my foot hitthe pavement, it helped to clear away the cobwebs from my head. Running hadquickly become an escape for me. Plus, it was great exercise.

“Girl, are you almost ready?” Alexa yelled from the living room. “Braden’sgonna be here any minute to pick us up.” Hell must have frozen over for her toactually be ready before me. But then again, I was taking my sweet-ass time, asI did with most things lately.

What’s the rush? What am Ihurrying toward?

“I’ll be right there.” Semi-satisfied with the image staring backat me, I snatched my purse off the bed, flicked off my bedroom light and headedout to the front room.

We arrived at the newest grand opening right on time, bypassingthe long line of patrons patiently waiting to enter. Braden was able to secureus VIP status, something I didn’t even know existed for restaurants. We wereled right to a private section, a waitress in tow as we ordered our drinks, andsettled in for what would hopefully be a good night. Braden’s friend James wasgoing to be joining us in a little while. At least I had some time to loosen upbefore my nerves took hold.

“This place is amazing,” I raved, my eyes roaming over thefixtures of the expansive building. We were surrounded by white and stainlesssteel which was quite masculine, but there were splashes of sensual colorsmixed throughout. Beautiful artwork decorated the walls while exquisite candlescomplemented the center of each table. The flickering flames added to theambiance of the restaurant, making it appear more cozy and intimate.

“Yeah, a buddy of mine is co-owner in this little endeavor, so ofcourse I agreed to come out and support him.” His arm was slung over Alexa’schair, stroking her shoulder as he glanced around the room. I was so happy mybest friend found love. She certainly deserved her happily ever after. Butsometimes her happiness drove home what I’d lost.

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