Page 30 of Curvy Love

“Sounds like everything is a go. Thanks, Val.”

She nods and leaves my office. Val hasn’t been with me that long. My old assistant recently retired and Val is still learning the ropes around here. But she’s organized and patient and I haven’t managed to scare her off yet, so I’m calling it a win. It’s not that I’m an ass, it’s just that I can be harsh. I had to be though. When I started this company, I looked too damn young and no one took me seriously. So I built a reputation as a ruthless bastard and I kept my face out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Because nothing pisses me off more than to have someone tell me I have a “babyface.” The fact that I keep my face scruffy and I frown a lot seems to help. But mostly I’m known as a heartless, soulless, cruel and cut-throat business man. Until recently, I never had a problem with my reputation. Why would I? Why should I care what anyone else thinks or says about me?

Sure, it means that only a handful of people know the real me. But that handful of people are the only ones I trust. If everyone else thinks I’m a dick, well … that just means my business competitors take me seriously.

Then I met her.

The mysterious PsychedelicAlmond.

A woman who is as smart and ambitious as I am, but who somehow balances it with humor and caring.

Technically we haven’t officially met. Not in person, anyway. She knows me only as TheZMan, her mentor through the beta testing program.

But I know she’ll be there tonight. I made a deal with their professor and tonight’s party will be part of their participation grade.

I don’t know what she looks like. I don’t even know her real name. Still, I feel certain I’ll know her the moment I see her. I won’t even pretend that hosting tonight’s party is a hundred percent about meeting her. I mean I probably should have thought of hosting this to thank the students for their help, but I didn’t. Until her. I want to meet her first as me, the real me, instead of the worker drone she believes me to be. I do work hard so I haven’t lied.

My office door opens again and I half expect Val to return with more questions, but instead my door is darkened by a giant. I rise to greet my best friend. He’s an enormous mountain of a man who, oddly enough, actually lived on a mountain away from it all. Despite the fact that he looks like a lumberjack, he’s actually the CEO/Owner of a very successful tech company and co-owner with me of a professional football team.

He’s returned to Austin after three years of living in isolation. Even though we texted daily, it’s nice to have him back in civilization.

He recently eloped with a woman that hit him with her car. Talk about a crazy way to meet your forever. Speaking of, Molly, his bride, is following behind him and they’re currently arguing about something.

I give Jefferson a one-armed man hug, then embrace Molly. She’s a tiny thing, I’d guess barely five feet, but her personality is as big as Jefferson. In the few months I’ve known her, she’s already become one of my favorite people. She’s whip-smart and more importantly, she makes my best friend happy. Which is really saying something, since before her, Jefferson had been in a grumpy mood for … well, basically years.

“I’m glad y’all came out for this.” I tell them. We move to the sofa sitting area of my office that overlooks the green spaces of Austin’s hill country.

Jefferson eyes me for several moments, then leans forward. “You gonna tell us what this is really about?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have parties for college students.”

“That’s not true. I’ve begged you to attend events we’ve hosted for years.”

“Your company hosts benefits and galas and launch parties for new products. This is different.”

I lift a shoulder in a shrug, irritated that he can seemingly see through my actions. “It’s a thank you for their assistance beta testing the software. That’s it.”

Jefferson’s eyes narrow. “Bullshit. I think it’s a woman.”

“Oh, did you meet someone?” Molly asks excitedly.

I roll my eyes.

One beefy hand smacks me on the back of my head. I stare at Jefferson as he takes his seat. “Don’t roll your eyes at my wife.”

She stares up at him and smiles.

“Apologies, Molly,” I murmur.

“Tell us about her,” Molly says.

I blow out a breath, then shoot a glare at Jefferson. “I hate you right now.”

“Pay back is a bitch,” he says with a wide grin.

---