Page 21 of Hate Notes

“Hmm,” Remmy said. “From the looks of it, she’s enjoying the evening, like a normal human being would. Believe it or not, standing in the corner and glaring at people isn’t most people’s idea of a fun night.”

“Most people are idiots,” I said. “She’s not—” I started, but my words died as I looked back over the crowd to find her and saw who she was talking to.

Huxley Cane.

Irritation and something completely foreign to me bubbled up as I watched the two of them laughing easily—the way he put a hand on her bare arm and let his fingers linger there.

The man was pushing fifty years old.Maybe he would be considered handsome by some, but he was far too old for her. And why did she seem to be laughing so much more easily with him than she had with anyone else?

Another wave of annoyance flooded me for caring. I didn’t get jealous, even when I genuinely felt interested in a woman. Jealousy was a useless emotion. It was something people who were powerless to change their circumstances felt. It was a form of defeat—an admission of helplessness.

Remmy tilted her head at me as a slow smile formed on her mouth. “Oh my, my, my. What is that red blotchiness in your cheeks, Ry? Your cheeks only flush when you’rereallypissed. And the only thing I see is Ember flirting with that handsome old silver fox over there. Jealous, much?”

I didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, I started across the room, weaving through the crowd.

By the time I reached Ember and Huxley, Ember was mid-laugh, a hand brushing against his arm.

“So, what do you do?” Cane asked her.

“Oh, I’m just... between opportunities at the moment,” Ember said breezily.

“I need to speak with you.Now,” I said, eyes fixed on Ember.

Cane turned to me with a grin. “Orion. I wondered when you would join the others to lap at my feet and beg for a contract.” His grin was smug and obnoxious. “Well, let’s hear it then. Why should I choose Foster Real Estate to build my building?”

“That’s not why I’m here,” I said curtly. “Our reputation speaks for itself. If you want the project completed on time and up to your standards, you’ll choose us. Simple as that. Now, if you don’t mind—” I jerked my head for Ember to follow.

Huxley stepped closer, touching Ember’s arm in a possessive way I didn’t like one bit. “Let’s say I do mind. I was enjoying thisyoung woman’s company. Why should I let you steal her away, Foster?”

I clenched my jaw. I wanted this man’s business, and I had to be careful not to burn any bridges.

Huxley pulled a business card from his pocket, turned it over, and wrote a phone number on the back of it. “This is my personal cell,” he winked, handed her the card, and gave me an icy look before disappearing into the crowd.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded once he was gone.

“Enjoying the party,” she said innocently.

“That man was an extremely important potential client. We worked with him in the past, and he has been dangling a project in front of the big real estate firms in the city for months now.”

“And?” Ember asked.

I felt my temper threatening to boil over. “And I needed to make sure you weren’t…” I struggled for the words, clenching my jaw in annoyance.

“You thought I was over here telling him dirty secrets about you? Was that it? Or maybe you’re thinking about hiring me now that you’ve seen how well I get along with your clients?”

I licked my lips. In truth, I stormed over because I didn’t like watching him flirt with her. Andthatwas a truth I would never utter so long as I lived. “You shouldn’t be here,” I said instead.

She gave a half smile at that. “Your sister invited me. Remember?”

“Just… stay away from my clients and potential clients. That’s all I ask.”

“Oh, is that all?” Ember asked sweetly. “Are you going to provide me with a list of your clients? Because I have no idea who any of these people are, except you, Remmy, and, uh—” she pulled the card Huxley gave her from her cleavage, turned it, and narrowed her eyes as she read. “Huxley Cane. Sheesh. That sounds like an evil villain’s name, doesn’t it?”

I snatched the card from her fingertips and tore it in half, then stuffed it in my pocket.

Ember stared in disbelief, then laughed. “What the hell was that?”

“You don’t want to call him. The man is a snake.”

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