Page 8 of Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance

I roll my eyes, stopping at Charlee gritting my teeth. “Why does everyone doubt my ability to do this? Y’all act like I’m incapable of writing a damn business plan.”

“That’s not it Hunt. You’re just more…” Charlee is grabbing in the air for the right, non-offensive word.

“Creative,” Harper offers.

“That’s it. Creative.”

“Creative my ass. My father wants a business plan, and I’m going to give him a business plan. And y’all heifers are going to shove that creative nonsense up y’alls—”

“Hunt, you really need to stop drinking.” I want to punch Harper in her motherly face.

“I’m out of here.” I stand up, stomping off towards the door. Is this how they see me? I’m creative but not smart. I’m irresponsible with money. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I hate being underestimated. But what I hate more is the whisper in my head. What if they’re right?

What happened to tonight? I push the door open and the cold air assaults my body. I’m not dressed for standing outside in forty degree weather. I click back and forth on the sidewalk. I need to call for my car.

But I can’t without a phone. I drop to the curb in my designer dress and Louboutin heels. I gather my knees to my chest certain that I’m not going to cry. I’m pissed, but crying won’t solve this.

Then I feel warmth cover my shoulders. I turn to the side and see a black jacket. I glance up and see Ben.

“Mind if I join you?”

“It’s a public sidewalk.” I’m embarrassed. No wonder the man ignores my flirting. I’m a basket case, and I have basket case friends who can’t whisper.

“It’s a very dirty sidewalk.”

I look around me. Too late now. I shrug it off. “I’ve already ruined a five thousand dollar dress and Valentine’s Day. A little dirt can’t possibly make it worse.”

He sits beside me. Neither of us speak.

“Can you really help me?” I turn to him.

“I can.” His confident tone has my attention. “Why do you think your father is doing this?”

“To teach me how to grow up.” I air quote.

I’m not ready to admit Harper and Charlee are right. I don’t know the first thing about business. I rest my arms on my knees, searching the area around us. It’s late, and the warehouse district is quiet except for the other restaurants in the area. The smell of the food from the courtyard lingers. The fresh air is helping considering my situation from a different perspective.

“I know I screwed up.” I play with the zipper on his jacket. “And either my father is betting that I’ll fail, or he’s betting that I know more than I think.”

Ben nods looking over his shoulder. “Which is it?”

“I think he is trying to pull something out of me.”

“And what’s that?”

“A boss bitch!”

I can see the white in Ben’s eyes. His laughter floats up filling the quiet streets with a gut-wrenching sound. I laugh with him until tears spill down my cheeks and my side aches.

Our laughter dies, and I make a decision. “Ben, will you help me?”

“Yes, Hunter, I will, under one condition.”

“I’m listening.”

He turns sideways on the curb facing me. “I’ll do it for $50,000.”

Chapter 4

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