Page 13 of The Heir

Because today has been a whirlwind, and as usual I’m left shaken up after my meetings with King. I never can go straight home after a meeting with him. Month after month, when I leave, I go to Romano's and get a piece of blackened salmon, and a glass of wine to chill the fuck out until I'm ready to go home.

Sometimes I meet with my other girlfriends Brittany and Tiffany, but if they hear Anna is coming, they don’t come. I replay the last conversation I had with Tiffany just a couple months ago when I asked them to tell me what was up with them always cancelling when I made plans for the four of us, or when they would invite me places but wouldn't include Anna.

“Sorry girl, we just don’t like her,” they'd say.

“What? Why? She’s literally so sweet, and helpful. There’s no reason for younotto like her.”

“It’s just a gut feeling. You don’t have that?”

“Gut feelings?”

“Yes, nothing inside you gives you little alarms or anything regardingher?”

I'd frowned at how hesitant their tones were, and their questions. “No, not at all. And besides, she hasn’t given me a reason to not like her. Like not a single one. You two are tripping.” But they both remained firm that they wanted nothing to do with her. So, I have to split my time up between them all.

As I pull up at the restaurant I pay the valet to park for me as I hate trying to park in New York and don't relish walking in the rain.

I hand a homeless person a fifty dollar bill before I enter the glass double doors and ask the host to seat me at a booth. I order us both a glass of red, thinking about my history with Anna and what I can do to convince the other girls to just give her a chance. Because I think they’re just too hard on her to be honest. And I couldn’t imagine being rejected like how they’re doing.

I've got a seriously soft spot in my heart for Anna, which currently hurts from how they're treating her.

Anna and I met in college as freshmen, and were roommates throughout all four years. When her parents died in a house fire about ten months ago Anna fell on hard times, so I took her under my wing, hiring her as my assistant around the time I got hired for Fabian. She moved in with Christopher and I for two months until she found an apartment, and honestly I’m so blessed to have such a good friend and I’m so appreciative.

While she lived with us she cooked, cleaned and was respectful. Thankfully Christopher wasn't irritated with the fact she had to be there fora couple months. And most of all, she doesn't judge me when I have to vent about my non-existent sex life.

I smile, looking up and seeing her petite form make its way through the glass double doors of the restaurant. I stand, giving her an excited squeal and wrapping her in a tight hug as if we hadn’t just seen each other a couple hours ago.

Pulling back, I give her a little look over. “Oh you’re still in your dress from earlier?” My nose tickles as I pick up on the scent of her body wash, but I shove it into the back of my mind as I gesture for her to get in the booth. “You got back in your dress after a shower? Isn't that kind of defeating the purpose?” I giggle as I grab up my glass of wine and cross my legs.

Anna gives me a small smile. “Well yeah, but it's okay because I’ll change into pajamas when I get home.”

“Ugghhh,”I toss my head back on a sigh and groan. “Girl please drag me to the gym with you next week, I have to lose some inches before I bowl over!”

Anna laughs, tossing her own head back. She’s got springy black curls, false eyelashes, and a perfectly contoured face. I’m jealous of her makeup skills because she’s a baddie on a good day, but when she takes her makeup off she’s so youthful and pretty.

But honestly, I’m jealous of her figure. I’d kill to be as thin as she is. She can walk into any store and just pick anything off the rack and wear it. Me? I have to have my clothes tailored because my fucking hips are so wide. It’s annoying.

“How did your meeting go with King?” Anna changes the subject quickly.

I scoff and sit back in the booth picking up my wineglass. “Are there awards for how big of an asshole you can be? Because if so, he should get one.” I take a sip of wine on a giggle.

We're both still laughing when a male voice abruptly interrupts us.

“Really?Will you be giving those out then? If so, I'll happily be in attendance for that award ceremony.” A deep voice sounds out from somewhere to the side of me and I freeze, turning my head slightly to the left and see its him.

King.What the hell?

“H-Hiii, King, what are you doing here?” I ask in a disbelieving tone. Though I'm shocked my eyes narrow, becausereally.

What the fuck is he doinghereof all places?

The corners of his eyes crinkle as he gives me a tight smile before flicking his eyes to Anna. He steps up to the booth, holding out his hand and Anna arches a brow, throwing me a little nervous look as she leans forward and takes it. My lips tighten seeing his hand basically swallow hers.

My eyes stay locked on them as he doesn't even shake it, he keeps his gaze on hers while something happens I can't quite describe.

King's body language changes; his eyes get hard, and his facial features draw tight as a shutter almost visibly lowers over his face. He drops her hand rather abruptly, almost rudely, and then turns to look at me.

"I have a business dinner, since a beautiful woman rejected my invitation for a date tonight." King's eyes bore into mine, making me recoil my head slightly and avert my face to take a sip of wine. He turns back to Anna who bites her lips and raises her brows.

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