Page 77 of Best Frenemies

“Only if it’s Marco’s.”

“Babe, count me in. Marco’s is my favorite.”

“Mine too.”

“See?” he retorts as I get off the bed and snag a T-shirt from my closet. “We have more in common than you think, Katy Cat.”

Oh boy. I certainly hope that’s not the case.Yeah, but that’s only because you might find yourself getting a little too attached to his version of fun.

Friday, April 8th

Mack

As I walk into the massive office building that my cousin runs his billion-dollar empire from, my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I pull it out to check the screen, but disappointment sets in when I see it’s not who I was hoping it would be.

Sarah Starbucks 59th Street: Hey, stud. You got any plans tonight?

If I’m honest, I only sort of remember who this Sarah is—pretty sure I met her five or so months ago—and her message isn’t the least bit enticing to me.

Now, if the sender were someone by the name of Katy Dayton, I’d be all fucking in.

Besides flirtatious text messages and stealing quick kisses in her empty classroom, I haven’t had any alone time with her since last weekend at her apartment. I’m hoping desperately to remedy that soon.

I don’t bother with a response to Sarah-whoever and slide my phone back into my pocket.

Aside from Katy, I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.

I’m nervous as hell, wearing a suit I bought two nights ago, and so out of my element you can’t even find me on the periodic table.

“Hi,” I say to the security guard at the fancy marble reception desk. “I’m here for a four o’clock meeting with Thatcher Kelly.”

He smiles benevolently—he obviously knows what a big deal my cousin is.

“Take this pass and head on up to the twenty-fourth floor. Kelly Financial will be down the hall to the left, and you can check in with the receptionist there. I’ll let them know you’re on your way up.”

With a grateful nod, I head to the shiny, gold-doored elevators and take a quick ride up to the twenty-fourth floor.

Once I step out, I make my way down the marble hallway and walk through the see-through glass door that saysKelly Financialon the front in gold letters.

His assistant greets me with a smile. “Mack Houston?”

“That’s me.”

“They’re already waiting for you in his office,” she says and points toward the closed door behind her. “You can head on back.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s about damn time!” Thatch booms before the door to his office can even shut behind me. Technically, I’m on time, but I know in these deals that on time is actually late, and I should have been here fifteen minutes ago.

“Sorry I’m running behind. I had dismissal duty, and one kid’s dad was late picking him up,” I apologize and note that all four men in the room, including Thatch, are dressed in suits and ties that I’m willing to bet they didn’t buy off the rack like I did mine.

“No worries,” Thatch dismisses before introducing me to the room. “Mack, this is Kline Brooks, the man who runs the TapNext empire. This is Wes Lancaster, the asshole owner of the Mavericks. And last and certainly least is Caplin Hawkins, corporate lawyer to the rich bastards of this city.”

All three men roll their eyes at Thatch’s colorful introductions, but I’m so in awe of the amount of business savvy in this room, I don’t even laugh.

“Nice to meet you.” I shake hands with all three men. “I really appreciate your taking this meeting with me.”

“If I’m honest,” Caplin chimes in with a smile, “we didn’t have a choice.”

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