Page 23 of His Rules

And all I could do was ask myself what the hell I’d ever seen in him.

Men.

I’d had one driver flip me off and another cut in front of me with such little space I’d almost wrecked. Yes, this might be a late lunch get-together, but a drink was definitely needed.

I headed into the restaurant, searching the crowded space until I found Stephanie. I took quick steps toward her, eager to commiserate with an old friend. When she noticed me, she jerked up from the table.

“I cannot believe you’re here!” The squeal drew attention from almost every side of the restaurant.

She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “I’m here. I’m sorry it’s been so long. Thanks for your text.” Stephanie had been my best friend since kindergarten. She was quirkyyet popular, her family just adorable. Her mother had treated me like her own daughter, including giving me Christmas and birthday gifts.

Her kindness had offset the pain of not having my mother.

Stephanie had gone to Virginia Tech for college and I’d gone to Columbia in New York. We’d seen each other on holiday breaks, but it hadn’t been the same living in New York without my bestie.

“Well, I couldn’t believe you called. Are you really thinking about moving back?” We both headed to the table.

“If I can find a job.” I sat down with a huff, grateful she’d already ordered a bottle of wine. I reached for the long neck, but was stopped by a waiter sweeping it into his hands.

I chuckled and winked at her just before she batted her long eyelashes. She’d always been a flirt, including in elementary school. I was shocked she hadn’t gotten tossed out for inappropriate behavior. Of course, since she was absolutely gorgeous, she was usually allowed to get away with anything and everything.

“Didn’t you have two job interviews already?” she asked the moment the waiter left.

“I did, but one was a Zoom call that didn’t go very well. The prickly lady didn’t like me at all.”

“Oh, come on,” Stephanie cooed. “Everyone loves you.”

“I don’t think so. But I was called back for an in-person earlier today so I’m all set.”

“See? What did I tell you? I’m so glad you’re moving back home!”

“Don’t jump to any conclusions. I need to accept a position first.”

“You’ll get it. I know how tenacious you are.”

“Oh, yes, I am. A go-getter; I take what I want.”

Stephanie laughed. “I’m so excited and shocked you decided to leave New York. I thought you loved it there. I thought you had a boyfriend.”

“Had is the appropriate word. I did until everything in my life turned to shit.”

“Uh-oh. What did Nathan do?”

As I nodded, the same lump I’d felt for two weeks before coming here returned. “I was such an idiot. I had no idea he was fucking me and his assistant at the same time. And she was offered the position in accounting I’d been working hard for. Can you believe that?”

“Ouch. Doesn’t his father own the firm?” She’d been the single person I’d told that I’d found the right one. Yeah, I was an idiot and then some.

“Yeah, he does. That’s why I’m moving back. I don’t see a future at the company.”

“I guess not. I’m sorry about Nathan.”

“Better to find out before we started making wedding plans. Besides, you couldn’t stand him.”

“Oh, no. I always knew he was a snake.”

“Oh, yes.” I shook my head. “He was a frog, not a prince.”

“I have other names for him. Let’s have a drink and toast to never entering into a relationship.”

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