Page 41 of Love to Hate You

Ivy follows me around the edge of my desk even though there’s barely enough room for me. “Let me show you,” she says and leans forward, brushing against me. “Sign here first.”

There’s no need for her to show me anything because I can see the hot pink sticky tabs that denote where my signature needs to go. But she points at the line, and I scrawl my signature. Then she flips the page, pressing the side of her breast against my arm and I instantly back away. I try not to read too much into it, but this is Ivy and she’s always been pretty transparent.

“Sorry,” she murmurs.

But she doesn’t move away and her heavy, cloying perfume makes my eyes water. “Why don’t I bring these to you when I’m done signing?” I suggest. She’s looking at me like she’s going to jump me and it’s making me extremely uncomfortable.

“Am I being too forward?” she purrs. “Because I’m sure you know how I feel about you Nash.”

“Ivy, you’ve been doing a great job since I came back, but we can’t get involved.”

“Why not?” she asks and pushes her bottom lip out in a pout. “I’ll treat you really well and do whatever you want. I’ve always had a thing for you, Nash.”

Yeah, no shit,I think. “That’s sweet, but…”I’m obsessing over Charlie?“I’m interested in someone else.” There, I said it.

Her face falls and I feel bad for a moment. “Who’s my competition? Because I’m not giving up that easily.”

“It’s not a competition, Ivy. It’s just how I’m feeling.”

“It’s Charlie, isn’t it?”

I clamp my jaw together hard.Fuck. Am I that obvious?

“I’ve walked in on you two a couple of times and you both jumped a mile and looked all kinds of guilty.”

“Ivy-”

“No, it’s cool. Like I said– I don’t mind a little healthy rivalry. But be smart, Nash. You and Charlie?” She shakes her head. “It can’t end well. One of you is going to win the keys to the kingdom while the other is going to lose everything. Think about it.”

“I’ll bring these to you when I’m done signing,” I say coolly. With a shrug, Ivy walks out, and it annoys me because deep down, I know she’s right. If Charlie remains President of my father’s company and I’m relegated to VP or some other position, I will be pissed.

The thing with me is I like a challenge. I always have. So maybe I’m just viewing Charlie as a challenge because she never makes anything easy whether we’re in the boardroom or the bedroom. People and things that push me get me revved up.

And, let’s face it, Charlie pushes me to the edge and even a little over.

It’s exciting with her. Also, a little unpredictable and hot as hell.

I don’t care what Ivy says, though. We’re not at the point yet where the board is going to announce anything permanent so I’m just going to enjoy whatever time with Charlie I can get. The problem is we’re always here and there are far too many eyes and busybodies.

If I could get her alone that would be a start. I know she mentioned one night together to get each other out of our systems. But maybe I don’t want that. I’m yearning to get to know her better not to put an end to us before we even get started.

Jesus.I sound like a man who wants a relationship.

Do I? Want a relationship with Charlie?

I’m certainly not against it. The idea of spending more time with her and getting to know her better has an appeal. I’m not someone who has ever let anyone get too close to me. Not my father, mother or siblings. My best friend Alex probably knows me best but even he doesn’t know everything. I’m not an open book and I tend to come off as a little mysterious and more private than most.

So, it’s strange that I want to open up more to Charlie. I have no idea why but it’s something I plan to pursue and I’m going to need more than one night. I decide I need advice and the first person I think of who will not judge me and actually help is Tanner.

Tanner is the only person I know who’s been head over heels in love. Her name was Addison and I’m still not entirely certain what happened between them. I just know my dad somehow was involved and it all ended up badly. Addison disappeared and Tanner cut my dad out of his life and fled town.

I pull Tanner’s number up and hit send. “Hey,” I say when he answers. “Any chance you have some time to spare?”

“What’s up?” Tanner asks.

“I, ah, guess I’m in need of some advice.”

“And you’re asking me?”

---