Page 2 of Honey Sunshine

Okay, to be fair, Alex is my go-to for venue recommendations when it comes to picking the perfect spot for casual business meetings. The guy knows every nook and cranny of New York City and what’s what. He raved about this restaurant, calling itone of his favorite places. Turns out he missed one key detail. It happens to be my ex’s latest hangout too.

How do I know this?

Well, the fucker wouldn’t stop yapping about his new office just a block away, probably just to rub it in my face that he’s now doing so much better and can afford prime real estate in SoHo.

I fight the urge to rip my hair out of my head, as I exit the restroom and approach the cold-blooded reptile that is waiting for me with that wide, know-it-all smile.

He looks handsome. I know he does. But he’s not human. He’s one of the lizard people my uncle Gert is always on about. I mean, there’s no other reason why he was always so cold to the touch, or why he was able to stab me in the back when we founded our advertising firm together. Well, the back stabbing didn’t come then... that happened when he ran with our top clients to his new company without feeling any remorse.

He even stole the fucking Nespresso machine.

A modern Grinch if ever there was one.

What the fuck did I see in him again?

Judas Silva—I mean, comeon.

Even his name is a waving red flag, and I blindly lost myself in him and anything he was willing to throw at me. He tricked me into thinking he was even a remotely decent human being with his easy smile and playful humor. His mask of decency eventually started to slip, revealing a twisted, manipulative jerk underneath.

My eyes twitch as I make my way back to the bar of the restaurant, my palms growing damp as I get closer and closer to where he lounges on the bar stool.

“There you are. I thought you got lost somehow on your way to the bathroom, Z.”

Z.

I hate the nickname as much as I hate this idiot sitting next to me.

Rather than saying that out loud or punching him straight in the face, I flash him a façade of a smile. “Thanks for your concern, but I’m pretty sure I can handle going to and from the bathroom just fine on my own.”

His grin widens further as he chuckles. “Come on now, you don’t have to lie to me. We both know you aren’t exactly the smartest regarding direction. Remember when you got lost in the conference center for almost an hour looking for the bathroom? Or was that an excuse because you really needed to take a big?—”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” I interject, nose scrunching as my eyes dart around to make sure no one’s listening to his flapping mouth. “We’re at a restaurant, you know?”And I have business to take care of.

I desperately want to down the remainder of my rum and coke because I’m certainly feeling too sober for this. However, I’m scared this fucker might have done something like put laxatives in it to fuck with me, as a “joke.”

Yes, he was likethat.

Hilarious, I know.

Judas’s grin drops ever so slightly and he tilts his head, a few strands of hair falling against his forehead.

“Are you saying that using the bathroom is something to be ashamed of?” he drawls.

I’d forgotten how much he likes to twist things.

“No, but I am saying I don’t want to engage in potty talk when I’m here for... something else.” I hedge on the last part. I don’t want him to know why I’m here, so I deflect at the last minute.

Judas gives me the type of grin that makes my stomach tighten with concern. “Come on, lighten up, Z. How will youstrike up a conversation with clients and potential investors if you’re this uptight? I’m telling you, if you smile more and show some enthusiasm, they’ll be more likely to be interested in what you have to say. Remember, people are drawn to positivity and energy,” he remarks, having the nerve to send me a wink as he lets out a loud sigh. “Really Z, how can you be the CEO of an advertising firm and not know that much?”

I’m going to punch him.

I’m going to fucking punch him.

I’m going to break his stupid nose job.

I will probably break my fingers in the process, but I think it might be worth it.

Client. Business. Keep cool.

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