Page 125 of One Bad Idea

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Talk about messed up.

I heard myself ask, "What happened with Victoria?"

"Victoria who?"

"Oh, please. You know who. That account executive you met last Friday. Did you see her in New York?"

"Yeah. I saw her."

I'd never been one to play games. "Then why'd you act like you didn't know who I meant?"

"Because I'm not thinking ofher."

"You're not?"

"Fuck no." He gave a low scoff. "I haven't thought of her all week."

"But you said you saw her."

"Yeah. For five minutes. I spent the rest of the week upstate working on a new acquisition."

No doubt, he meant a new property or facility. But thatwasn'twhat I wanted to talk about. "So, you weren't…" I wasn't quite sure how to put it. "…hanging out with her?"

"Hell no."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Why would I be?"

I cleared my throat. "Well, it just seemed like you were interested, that's all."

He gave me a look. "You sure about that?"

I gave it some thought. Actually, she seemed a lot more interested inhimthan he'd seemed inher. Cautiously, I said, "So, you didn't–"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You serious?"

I tried for a casual shrug. "Well, Iamcurious."

"Alright, you want a reason? I haven't wanted anyone in weeks."

"You haven't?"

It wasn't lost on me that the conversation had taken a decidedly personal turn. But there was no way I was changing course now – even if hehadn'tyet answered the question.

I tried again. More softly now, I asked, "Are you serious? That you haven't wanted anyone?"

"No."

I blinked. "So you'renotserious?"

"I've wantedoneperson."

Suddenly, I could hardly speak. "Really?"

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