Page 14 of My Arrogant Millionaire

So I did as I always did: I pushed the memories of last night into my imaginary filing cabinet of past dates and crept out of the bedroom. I paused at the door. One glance, just one more glance I could allow myself before finally putting my lousy exit behind me. But I knew just as well that a single look could keep me from leaving.

So I kept going, grabbed my coat lying on the floor in the hallway, and guiltily shrugged my shoulders as Jack watched me from the doorway of the living room. »Sorry, man. I know it’s crappy, but...« I whispered, grimacing as if in pain. Now I was talking to a cat.

I fled out the door and quietly pulled it shut behind me. Once again, I hesitated, now I could still make it look like I was just going out to get breakfast. The fact that I even considered it worried me about my mental health.

A few minutes later, when I arrived at my apartment, I immediately stared through the window panes. But nothing. Of course, she was still asleep; I had just left. Would she give me a sign that I had behaved terribly? Flip me off and send creative curses my way? And why did I have to grin stupidly at the thought?

I cleared the grin from my face, grabbed my workout clothes in my bedroom, and hurried to the gym as quickly as possible to at least spend some time avoiding my thoughts and Grace like a true coward.

10

Grace

A week and far too many minutes spent trying to ignore Baron and his damned apartment across the street. I had just under two weeks left here and hoped time would pass quickly. Fortunately, he had also avoided me in the foyer at work. Of course, no one wants to be stuck in an elevator with a woman they had a great date with and then left without a word. I was just glad I hadn’t really gotten involved and slept with him. That would have been the absolute loss of my pride.

I just kept wondering what possessed him to avoid me like this? My intuition was good enough to know he had enjoyed that night at El Pacifico. So what exactly was bothering him?

But it could only be one thing. It was becoming too solid, too familiar. And honestly, I could understand that. If he had talked to me just once about it, I would have told him that I wasn’t currently interested in a serious relationship with him either. Instead, he behaved like every other jerk, ignored me, and avoided me. Fine. He could have it.

The filet sizzled as I deglazed it with red wine. The white, hot steam rose towards the ceiling, and I gently shook the pan to prevent the meat from sticking.

»Take it easy.« Will gently took the pan from me, and I snorted. »So, what is it? You’ve been simmering like a volcano all evening. It’s not because Ceci couldn’t make it today, and I haven’t done anything wrong. So, Stone, what’s in the air?« My best friend placed the pan back on the stove, grasped my shoulder, and guided me to one of the bar stools in front of the kitchen island. Baron’s apartment was at my back, and I felt his presence like burning arrows. He had arrived home exactly fifty minutes ago, and since then, I had been trying not to let him influence me. But I was so angry!

Will placed a filled glass of red wine in front of me. I grabbed it and drank half before slamming it back onto the counter. »Easy now, that’s not a shot glass.« He leaned in front of me and grinned broadly.

»What?« I asked irritably. »It’s nothing.«

»Mel hasn’t contacted you, has she?«

»No.«

»And you got a new job at a pretty cool event agency, right?«

»Yes,« I snapped, making Will’s grin grow even wider.

»You got paid indecently well for the past two weeks for looking after a pretty cat, and you get to live in this fantastic apartment.«

»Yes, damn it!«

»But you’re still angry.« This time, I just snorted in response. »And it’s been that way since the guy across the street came home. Do you think I’m an idiot? Why don’t you tell me about him? Did you two finally have sex?«

»No, we didn’t.«

»But you know immediately who I’m talking about.«

»Of course! For two weeks, I’ve had to watch his peep show over there, like an annoying program that can never be turned off.«

»He does have nice biceps, even I can say that as a straight man.«

»Yes, damn it!«

Will laughed and shook his head slightly. He took care of the filets, placing them on two plates with a handful of rosemary potatoes and boiled carrots. Then he went to the dining table and set the food on opposite seats. I followed the delicious aroma and sat down. »Thanks,« I grumbled. »This isn’t how I imagined this dinner. I’m sorry if I’m unbearable.«

»It’s okay,« Will replied, raising his glass and holding it out for a toast. Afterward, I took a smaller sip this time and gently set it down. »But you know I want to know what’s going on with your neighbor now.«

From the corner of my eye, I saw Baron on the couch. He balanced the laptop on his long legs, and stacks of documents were spread out next to him on the seat. He was working. And I was even relieved that he hadn’t had any female visitors since our date.

»Okay, the short version: We had a date, it was fantastic, we were drunk, I brought him here, we fell asleep cuddling, and we didn’t have sex, not even a kiss. The next morning I wake up, and he’s gone; it’s been radio silence ever since.«

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