Page 30 of Rewrite the Rules

“Yes.”

“Because you don’t answer my text messages unless you’re in the office. You barely look at me. Last week you risked the elevator doors squeezing the life out of you when you escaped as soon as I stepped in.”

“There was a wasp.”

“Really?” I widen my eyes. “You were going to abandonmein a locked elevator with a rogue wasp?”

She stops and faces me. Her piercing blue eyes lock on mine, then she deadpans, “Absolutely.”

I belly-laugh at her blatant honesty. “See? You’re mad at me.” I take the opportunity while we’re stopped to collect her hand. She tries to pull away but I lock my fingers in hers. “You know I lied, right?”

“About what?”

“Don’t be coy. You knowabout what. Adler—of course I’m attracted to you. More than you can imagine. I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. I thought by not kissing you I was doing you a favor, but I don’t want my lame excuse making you think less of yourself. I happen to think you’re incredible in every way.” I bring the back of her hand to my lips briefly before I let it go.

“Why would you be doing me a favor by not kissing me? Is this about your relationship thing?”

“Yes,” I answer truthfully but don’t offer more of an explanation. I don’t want Adler knowing what a heartless ass I am. I won’t catch her in the crosshairs of my depressing attitude toward love. She’s still washed in promise. For some other guy.

She takes my not-so-subtle hint and we continue down the sidewalk. The sounds of our steps echo off the buildings as the bustling party-filled streets fade into quiet empty alleyways. I can’t believe she was going to walk this alone at night.

“What were you doing at the office so late?”

“Working on one of my problem-child companies—Rychess Media. I need to decide soon on whether or not to cut their funding or invest further. It’s a little out of the norm for me.”

“How is that out of the norm? Isn’t that kind of the whole point of your job?”

“Yes. But normally I don’t struggle with these decisions. Numbers are clean—black and white. It’s not wise to get emotional in ventures but I let Rychess get too personal. I go way back with the founder. Normally I get gut feelings about this type of thing but right now, I don’t know…”

“I have a trick for that!” Adler’s eager eyes light up. She hasn’t chirped in that tone around me in weeks. I’d hand over my wallet, keys, car, and home just to keep that smile exactly the way it is now. I did not enjoy the doghouse.

“Lay it on me. I’ll take all the help I can get.”

“My life philosophy is to make clear concrete decisions and stick with them. Right or wrong. Win or lose. Ride out the wave either way because there is purpose in every choice we make. Your gut feeling can guide you if you don’t drown it out by overthinking. Hence, you have to completely clear your mind to make good decisions.”

“I feel like all of the investors I work with would aggressively disagree.”

Adler’s eyes fly up then down. She spins in a circle like a puppy chasing its tail. She cups her hand over her ear, driving the point home. “Doesn’t seem your investors are here, Joel. You’re stuck with me. Care to take a chance? My method is foolproof.” She curls her finger in a slowcome-hithermotion while transfixing her expression with a delicate mystique. Like a psychic trying to lure me into a sexy palm read.

It works.

She’s persuasive.

But it has nothing to do with the game she wants to play. It’s that sinfully sweet smile on her face.

“You’re pretty cocky over there.”

“Very. I can guarantee you I’ll get some secrets out of you if you play my question game.”

“I doubt it. I have a strong poker face.”

“I bet I can break right through it.” Adler bats her eyelashes making those big blues flash and sparkle.

“Color me curious. How do we play?”

She wiggles her shoulders excitedly and then pinches her fingers in front of her face right before composing a serious expression. She grabs my hand and stops us in our tracks so we’re no longer walking. “All right, boss man. Close your eyes. This is going to move fast.”

I follow instructions and try my best to keep Adler clothed in my mind. Mostly. I’ll at least keep her boots on in the privacy of my imagination.

---