Page 46 of The Cask

I wanted a man who saw my vision and supported my dreams. I wanted a man who wanted to grow with me and grow in our relationship. I wanted a man who wanted to see me shine.

I want a partner.

Yet the men vying for my attention weren’t partners. One was an ex-boyfriend who wanted to snuff out my flame in order to shine brighter. The other was a foe who wanted to snuff out my business in order to make more money. And just like I had to eliminate Luchesi from my life in order to keep shining. The same needed to be done with Omari.

Chapter Ten

Iwoke up Wednesday morning excited about how the day would unfold. I added gold braid jewels to my hair because I didn’t know if I would have time to do it later. I picked out a long-sleeved red dress that was both low cut and showed a lot of leg. I packed it in a garment bag and sang the entire way to The Cask.

I hung up my dress in my office, made a couple of calls and then returned upstairs. While I was placing the last featured wine list on the table, there was an abrasive knock on the door.

I looked at Kim Lowe for a few seconds before I grabbed my jacket from the hanger. I checked the pocket for the main key to the building. I checked the other pocket for my cell phone, but I’d left that in my office downstairs. Slipping the denim jacket on, I took my time approaching the door. The whole time, Kim was snarling at me through the glass—which was fine because the feeling was mutual.

I didn’t trust Kim as far as I could throw her, so she wasn’t welcome inside when the bistro was closed. If she were to provoke a fight with me, there wouldn’t be any witnesses since Louis wouldn’t be in for another hour. Since I was bigger than her, I had a feeling she’d try to fight me, get me to hit her back, and then call the police and say I assaulted her.

Nope.I shook my head as I made my way to the door.I don’t trust anything about her.

I stood in the doorway. “Hello,” I greeted her coolly.

Her lip curled in disgust as she looked me up and down. “What are you wearing?”

I looked down at my black high-waisted wide leg pants and white scoop neck shirt. “A look you couldn’t pull off if you tried,” I answered.

“Kitty has claws!” She let out a soulless laugh. “I was just noticing how hippy those pants make you look. And with that much cleavage showing I’m wondering if you’re selling wine or selling ass.” She turned her palms upward and shrugged. “But if you like it, I love it.”

I scanned her brown plaid suit. “You would be the last person I’d seek fashion advice from. But go off.”

The silent rage that emanated from her made it clear that she hated that I wasn’t rattled by her insults.

She narrowed her eyes. “I see you decided to show your true colors. Since Omari’s not around, I guess you’re no longer pretending to be the nice, helpful neighbor.”

I rolled my eyes. “Kim, you’re the one pretending. I never said I was nice or helpful. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a business to run.”

“I need to speak with you,” she demanded, taking a step forward.

I didn’t budge. Instead, I stepped outside, closing the door behind me. She wasn’t welcome inside my establishment. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“You can stay away from Omari,” she snapped.

My eyebrows shot up at the boldness of her request. I kept my laughter inside when I asked, “Whatever do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean! Omari Fortune is the most dedicated, hard-working man I know, and I tied my career to his because I know his work ethic. He’s consistent and he always follows through on what needs to be done.” She pointed her thin finger at me. “And then he met you a week ago and he’s been missing meetings, less prepared, and completely preoccupied.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “And none of that sounds like it has anything to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you!” Her voice was elevating, and she threw her arms up in exasperation. “You have been bad for business. He may not see the correlation, but I do. Ever since you got your hooks in him, he’s blowing deals and distracted. Like that little stunt you pulled yesterday.”

“What stunt?”

“I heard you having sex in his office. You’re trash.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “You were listening in? How pathetic are you?”

“I wasn’t listening,” she declared indignantly. “You were loud!”

“Does Omari know that you were outside of his office like a sad puppy listening to us?” I frowned and leaned back. “You were wishing it was you in there with him, weren’t you?”

“Are you drunk or something? That’s my business partner!”

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