Page 59 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“That accent, y’all,” Friday sighs exaggeratedly. “If only I liked dick.”

20

LEVI

I was pissedwhen I saw that picture from Lilith of Oliver all over Ivy at the bar from last Friday. The memories of that year he got from her that I lost came bubbling up to the surface. He lives in New York now, running the American branch of his family’s marketing company. I can’t have him slipping back into her life while I sit around pouting like a pussy.

Was my heart shattered when she walked away? Yes. Was I angry? Yes. Am I still angry? Yes. None of that matters, though, if she ends up some other guy. Especially that English twat.

I set a jar of clear and yellow gummy bears on her desk. I sit down and busy myself with some portfolios that Dad wants me to look over. I glance up and smile at her when she walks through the door. She’s gorgeous. Her hair’s all naturally curly today, and she’s wearing a tight black skirt with a sexy slit up the back and a blue blouse tucked into it.

She gives me a hesitant smile when we make eye contact. It isn’t until she notices the gummy bears that she speaks though.

“Levi,” she pauses until I look up at her, “thank you.”

“I’m sorry for being a dick last week. I’m just not completely over everything. We had no closure when it all went down.”

“I know.” She opens the jar and eats one. “Do you want to grab dinner tonight, so we can talk about everything? Maybe actually catch up like the friends we once were.”

No, I don’t want to catch up like friends.

“Sure,” I ignore the screaming in my head and heart. “I know a great place. I’m glad you wore flats today.”

“Should I call Saul and tell him I won’t need a ride right after work?”

“Yeah, I’ll get you home.”

I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Grant telling him I’ll need a table at On The Ropes, his newest nightclub with an adult playground theme. I add a request for gummy bear martinis because as soon as I saw those opening night, I knew I had to bring Ives just for those. It annoyed me in the moment that my first thought was her, but it’s always going to be her.

“What do you have over there?” She points at the stack of folders on my desk.

“Family portfolios Dad wanted me to go over.” I drop the folder in my hand on the desk and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t care about any of this. He could sign away all our businesses and wealth for all I care.”

“I’m guessing you haven’t told him how you feel about this?” She pushes back from her desk and starts walking toward me. “May I?” she asks, gesturing toward the portfolios.

“Go for it.” I point at the chair I front of my desk. “You know way more about this shit than me.”

She sits, and I try to not to notice the way her skirt hikes up, revealing her smooth, toned thigh. I definitely don’t sit there for a solid five minutes fantasizing about what she has under that sexy skirt and conservative blouse. How her nipple would harden under my thumb if I lightly brushed over it. How her eyes would go hooded under my tou-

“Levi?” Her voice is raised. “A pen?”

“Sorry, zoned out for a second. What do you need?”

“A pen, please.” She cocks an eyebrow at me.

“Catch.” I toss it at her just to be dick.

She catches it with a smirk and goes back to working. I pull my phone out and send a text to the group text I have with Con and Griff.

Me:

Con: Surprised you lasted a week.

Griff: It was a stupid grudge anyway. She didn’t do anything wrong.

Me: Disagree, she could have some attempt to reach out to me over the years.

Griff: You haven’t talked yet, have you?

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