Page 116 of The Ex Factor

“Hi,” was all I could manage.

“How was Dallas?” he asked.

“Wonderful!” I said. “I can’t wait to tell you all about it.”

“I can’t wait either, sweet girl. Wish we could have dinner tonight, but I have a standing date.”

“A date, huh?” I teased. “Is she pretty?”

“Very pretty. Like an angel.”

A silly place in my heart sank. “Is it adatedate?” I asked, trying very hard not to sound jealous.

“A dinner date,” he clarified. “Why? Does it bother you that I’m having dinner with other pretty girls?” he teased more brashly than he had before.

“Not at all,” I said sweetly. “In fact, I have a dinner appointment myself. Although I wouldn’t call it a date.”

“Yeah? What would you call it?”

“I’d call it a raging tempest.”

“That explosive, eh?” he teased and I laughed.

“Sujit…”

“Yes, Aarti?”

“I can’t wait to see you,” I said simply.

“Can I come over after dinner, or do you think you’d be occupied with your raging tempest?”

“The tempest should be razed to the ground by the time dinner is done,” I said with fury.

“Is everything alright? If you want to meet sooner, I can.”

“Thank you, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“There is nothing you can’t handle,” he replied.

A warmth coursed through my being, bringing a smile to my face. I was so proud of this man, and I wanted to take him in my arms and tell him just that.

I blazed through my workday,awaiting the evening when I could finally tell that slimeball Manoj what I thought of him. This time, I decided not to toe but step over the line.

Instead of picking a sensible dress that would indicate my disinterest in him, I picked a low-neck mini sheath. Instead of opting for a sensible bra that wouldn’t draw attention to my breasts, I retrieved a push-up from my drawer and jacked my bouncing breasts up to my chin. I covered up my beauty spot completely. He didn’t deserve to see it. Instead of choosing a soft, muted color on my lips, I reached for the bold red that was my signature power shade. And instead of slipping on my trademark cool demeanor, I channeled all my anger and wrath. Today was the day Manoj would finally stop messing with Sujit. Forever.

I found him waiting by the valet when I arrived.

“Hi, Aarti,” he said with a smile that would enamor many a weak person. I wasn’t one. “You look spectacular.” The lecher’s eyes landed straight on my chest.

Of course I looked amazing. I had planned it that way. I merely nodded.

“Are you not going to say a word?” he said as the maître d’ escorted us to our table. A prime spot, or the “display tables,” as they called them. Visible to the people walking in but distant enough from the entrance to avoid the draft from the door. Not in proximity to either the kitchen or the back of the restauranttoward the restrooms. I wouldn’t expect Manoj to choose anything else. He knew how to show it up. That’s what people like him lived for.

He also made sure to take the coat off my shoulders and hand it to the maître d’. Then he pulled out a chair for me. I let him. It was best to allow him the illusion that I was impressed by his chivalry.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked after we had settled, and I had buried myself in the menu without a word.

I looked up at him and returned the menu to the table. “What do you want to talk about?”

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