Page 53 of Undone, Love Times Three

She never agreed to the date but I’m banking on her being too intrigued to stand me up. I don’t like Robbie’s insinuation that she would ever willingly want to do what is happening now. She’s protecting her business. Faulkner is the one in the wrong.

Robbie has hit the nail on the head though. The bad publicity surrounding Faulkner is going to have some effect on us. I’ve talked it through with dad, but he doesn’t know my relationship with Blue’s Hideaway didn’t stop at that night.

“We’re not worried. I’m sure it will all be cleared up in a few days.”

“Well, you won’t hear me complaining if it all falls through.”

“Yeah, millions of dollars down the toilet. Great, thanks for that.”

“Hey, you cheated on me.”

“Fuck off,” I groan.

Luckily, Robbie laughs it off. “What is really going on though? Reed Faulkner is a prick, we can both agree on that. Hasn’t he got better things to do with his time than try to take down some small bar in Chicago?”

I’ve known Robbie a long time, way before we got to be where we are in our businesses now. He sits quietly while I fill him in on what is going on.

“You realize you’re walking a fine line there, right?”

“I know,” I sigh heavily.

“That is a huge conflict of interest. You’re hanging out with the owner of the bar he’s suing, and he’s partnered with your firm.”

“He fucking punched me in the face. I don’t give a shit about him.”

“On a personal level, maybe. But this is business. It is a multi-million-dollar deal. Don’t get me wrong, I’d celebrate if the deal fell through. In fact, I’ve been watching this with unadulterated glee. But you and her. Damn Dan, that’s not the greatest of ideas.”

“Honestly, I encouraged dad not to sign the deal. I thought making an official statement about me not believing Reed might have changed things, but it was all done behind closed doors, dad kept out of it. It’s too big and been in the works too long for him to walk away.”

And I fucking hate knowing it, but don’t say that.

“Does he know about your relationship with the girl?”

“No one does. And she’s a woman. All they need to do is back down and retract the lawsuit,” I tell my friend.

“If Faulkner finds out you’re sleeping with the woman he’s suing, Dan, it could get ugly. And in terms of backing down, thething with us rich folk, we always want more money. And we don’t like to lose.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“Just watch your ass,” he says, after a moment. “If it’s just about pussy, have your fun and walk away.” He watches me closely. “Oh fuck, this is different.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Your poker face has always been shit. Youlikeher?”

I turn my head away rather than answer. Everything he is saying is true.

Is this just about pussy? Jesus, no, I’ve never thought about women like that, and I won’t start now. We might have fallen into bed the second time we met but it isn’t anything like what Robbie is insinuating.

Blue is different. All it will take is for Faulkner to drop the lawsuit. Then I don’t have to worry about seeing her.

There is no sign of her when I pull up outside the bar. It wouldn’t surprise me if she waited inside for me to come to her. The thought makes me smile.

Ducking so I can see through the passenger window, into the front window of the bar, I spot her sitting on a stool. She’s chatting with a man I’ve not seen before. It isn’t one of her workers. My jaw clenches and a pit opens in my stomach. Who is he?

Do I barge in there and drag her out? No, shit. I blink a few times and look away, nervously tapping my fingers against the steering wheel. Truth is, I haven’t done this in years. Dating someone wasn’t in my plans straight after the divorce. Not that we’re dating. Blue would laugh at me for even thinking it.

Why did she make me promise not to fall in love with her? I want to know. I want to know all the things about her. I could watch her for hours, the way she moves, her confidence and beauty. Fucking her again would also be welcome.

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