Page 82 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
Is it strange that I’ve learned this man’s mannerisms in such a short amount of time? Maybe. But he’s better than any book I’ve ever read and has so many layers I could probably learn from him every day for the rest of my life and still not reach his core.
Luckily, he seems to be sharing the important pieces with me freely.
“There’s an event coming up. A formal event, which I hate, and never go to, but with you, it wouldn’t be so bad.”
“I think there was a compliment in there somewhere.” I purse my lips so I don’t laugh at his confused and slightly annoyed frown.
“Yes. There was. I wouldn’t even consider going to something like this for anyone else.”
“But you’ll go for me?”
“That’s what I’m saying.” His hands gesture wildly around the room.
“Calm down. I’m teasing you. What’s this event?”
“The advancements in technology awards. They’re coming up in New York.”
“I thought you said you were going to this thing for me. This sounds like it would be me going for you.”
His head tilts back and forth as though he’s replaying his words in his mind.
“No, this is definitely for you. I’ve purchased a table at this event every year since I was nineteen, but I’ve never been. Generally, I send my executives. But this year, I’ll go and take you with me.”
“I’m still not following how this is for me.”
“This is the event where companies debut their up-and-coming products, their next big things. You are the next big thing.”
He has it all worked out in his mind, but he’s unable to view things from anyone’s perspective but his own. It would be one thing if I thought he simply didn’t care to, but it’s more than that. I’m not sure he’s capable of seeing from my point of view without a picture being drawn for him.
“Thane, I think we need to talk.”
He presses his pointer finger into his temple. “We are talking.”
“About where you picture our…business relationship going.”
“I’ll tell you.” Confidence is this man’s superpower. “You need a tech company to help build and manage your infrastructure. I have the best tech company in the world. You’re my girlfriend, so I’ll help you, and that way, we’re both monitoring how your product is used.”
“I don’t…I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Hurt shines in his eyes before confusion muddies them. “What do you mean? I’m the best at what I do. Why wouldn’t you want the best?”
“It feels…complicated.”
“It’s not. You need what I have. I want to help you do good in the world with it.”
“By tying our companies together.”
“Yes.”
“That means we’ll be working together during the day and dating at night.”
“Yes.” Frustration bleeds into his tone, but he doesn’t raise his voice. To him, this is all very black and white, but all I see are the shades of gray.
I inhale deeply and release it slowly, deliberately. “I understand what you’re saying, and I appreciate what you want to do. But realistically, we haven’t known each other long enough to put this kind of trust in each other.”
“You trust me to stick my dick in you, but not to ensure that you and your company are not taken advantage of?”
When he puts it that way, I sound like an asshole.
