Page 135 of The Deal with the Playboy

I have finally got her love, the one thing I always wanted.

She’s trying, and that’s all that matters.

I’m willing to try as well.

Poppy

Today is harder than yesterday. I slept throughout my meetings and my new boss, Terry, doesn’t seem to mind. Luckily, he’s a nice guy. I slept through my lunch break, too.

I decided to get a part-time job, because I was so bored and lonely at my apartment. I’ve never been the type to be cooped up in the house all day. I like to do things. Lake refers to me as a social butterfly.

I get up from my desk and poke my head into his office. He’s on the phone but as soon as he sees me, he sets the phone down. I work at a news channel, and my last name got me the job. He and Jasper run in the same circle at the American Billionaire Club. Terry is a billionaire as well, but he doesn’t act like one. He’s nice and caring—not an asshole.

He dusts off his Armani suit jacket. “Can I help you, Mrs. Barrett?”

“Is it okay for me to take my lunch break?”

He strokes his chin. “Just take the rest of the day off. As a matter of fact, the rest of the week off. You need the sleep.”

I cock my eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

He nods. “I was wondering about something, though. Are you and Jasper divorced? There are rumors saying you haven’t been spotted with him in a long time, and the tabloids are saying you two are divorced.”

I saw that shit on the blogs. Jasper and I haven’t confirmed anything, and he still sends me text messages throughout the day, but I don’t respond. Not yet. I need time to heal and decide what I want. I’m not mad at him, but I’m hurt, and I want to make sure I’m making the right choices in life for me and my baby. I’m a nosedive type of person and I’m trying not to make a decision without having all the facts.

“Why are you asking?”

He gets up from the chair and sits on his desk, crossing one foot over the other. “Well… I’m hoping we can grab some coffee together.”

My cheeks flame. “I’m pregnant, Terry.”

“I don’t care about you being pregnant. I just split from my girlfriend of three years and I can use the company.”

“You mean, like fucking?” I slap my palm against my forehead. “I’m sorry. That was too informal.”

He bursts out laughing. “It’s fine. If it leads to that, then yeah, but no. I want to date.”

I shake my head. “We can’t. I’m in love with Jasper, and I can’t complicate things. I’m sorry.”

He smiles sadly at me. “It’s fine.”

“We can be friends. As a matter of fact, I have a sister you can date.”

“Show me a picture of her.”

I grab my phone and click on the blue icon for Facebook. I go to her page, then I hand my phone to Terry.

“She just got out of a bad marriage, and she can use a friend or a companion.”

He looks at the picture and a smile spreads across his face. “She’s gorgeous,” he tells me. “Like you. Give her my number.”

I hold up the phone and tell him to smile as I snap a few pictures of him, then I send them to Sophia.

Sophia: He’s cute, send me his number.

I do what she says, and when I glance up, his phone rings.

“I think that might be her,” I say before I return to my office and grab my purse, strapping it across my chest.

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