Page 37 of Renegade Roomie

“And starting your own company must take so many of those resources,” Georgia continues. “Do you have funding yet?”

“Not yet. But I’m talking to potential investors,” I fib. “And boot-strapping most of the start-up costs myself.”

“Still, you must need a lot of cash to get going,” Georgia says. “How lucky you found Dash, at just the right time.”

And there it is.

“What do you mean?” I ask sweetly, just asking her to come right out and call me a gold-digger.

“Because of his business experience,” Georgia says, eyes wide and innocent. “So he can give you advice.”

“Right,” I agree. “Advice.”

“Wait, you didn’t think I meant you were only interested in him for his money, did you?” Georgia exclaims. “Oh my gosh, no! The thought never crossed my mind.”

But now it’s crossed Zelda’s, if her frown is anything to go by.

I almost want to applaud Georgia. Either that or pour the pitcher of iced tea over her head. This is some A-grade passive-aggressive bitching going on.

But two can play that game.

Mimicking her saccharine-sweet persona, I flutter my lashes and laugh. “Oh, but Dash found me, didn’t you hear? Or ran into me, I guess you could say. He was jogging and not looking where he was going when we collided. I’d just run out for a quick smoothie on lunch break and the entire thing spilled down my shirt. He followed me back to the store, but I wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

I pause like I’m savoring the memory when really what I’m relishing is a chance to wipe that obnoxious smile right off Georgia’s face. “Of course, then he really turned on the charm. Weeks of chasing me before I even agreed to coffee. He does his best to hide it, but my Dashy has a romantic streak wider than the Atlantic Ocean.”

Zelda nods. “Apparently, he serenaded her,” she agrees.

Georgia’s smile thins. “Well. Bless your heart. Isn’t that adorable?”

It’s not a question.

I excuse myself to use the restroom, then text Dash an urgent message from the cavern of gleaming marble.

911! Where are you? Need a fake boyfriend intervention, and stat!

I’m not sure I can make it through another moment of Zelda’s not-so-subtle questions about my child-bearing plans, and if Georgia decides to join us and keep up her gold digger routine…

Let’s just say, telling the not-so-sweet peach to fuck all the way off wouldn’t help win Zelda’s approval.

I eventually head back to the table, and sit through another twenty excruciating minutes of veiled insults and leafy greens before Dash walks in.

I exhale in pure relief. And not just because he’s looking delicious, in casual khaki shorts and a pale blue T-shirt that brings out his eyes.

“Ladies!” Dash greets me with a kiss on the cheek, and then rounds the table to do the same to Zelda.

She tsks. “I thought I said this was a girls’ day,” she scolds him, but I can tell she’s delighted to see him.

“I know,” Dash turns on the boyish smile. “But I’ve just been pining, spending this beautiful day away from Callie. We’re only here for such a short time… Would you hate me if I whisked her off now, just the two of us?”

Zelda harumphs before begrudgingly giving in. “Fine. But remember, the gala is tomorrow night. You know it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for our charities, and I expect you to be there for that.”

“Of course, we wouldn’t miss that for the world.” He offers me a hand to help me out of my seat. “Ready, dumpling?”

“Always, sweet cheeks.”

I follow him out, sending one final longing look at the plate of fries a waiter is taking past. Would it be terrible if I just snatched a few…?

But nope. I keep my hands to myself and my smile fixed, until I’m in the passenger seat and Dash is driving us away from the club in search of a drive-thru burger. Then I exhale in a whoosh. “Wow.”

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