Page 74 of Boss of Her

But Renee’s words rang hollow. Because Jade didn’t want someone else.

She only wanted Simone.

CHAPTER 32

“Good evening, gentlemen.” Simone slid into her seat. “I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“No worries,” Alan, the older of the two men sitting across from her, said. “We went ahead and ordered drinks.”

As they exchanged introductions, the men’s drinks arrived. Simone ordered herself a glass of wine. She needed it tonight. She’d arrived at the restaurant only ten minutes late, but any amount of lateness was unacceptable. She didn’t keep others waiting, didn’t play the kind of childish power games some in the business liked to play. She showed everyone the same respect she expected, even her competitors.

But she wasn’t meeting with competitors tonight. Alan and Daniel owned an investment firm in New York. With the acquisition of The Star, Los Angeles and the entire West Coast were hers. It was time to think bigger, to expand into the East Coast market. And for that, she needed partners with local contacts and knowledge.

Daniel, the younger of the men, looked around the high-end French restaurant. “What did you do to land a table here? I try to get a reservation every time I’m in LA, but it’s booked out a year ahead.”

“I have friends in useful places.” Simone knew the owner of the restaurant personally. While it was Jade who had made the reservation weeks ago, all it had taken was the mention of Simone’s name. She’d even booked Simone’s favorite table by the window without being asked.

But Jade wasn’t her assistant any longer. She was gone. Gone from the office. Gone from Simone’s life. All because Simone had let her doubts poison her.

“If you’re as well connected as you seem, this will be a very beneficial partnership for all of us,” Daniel said.

Simone swirled her wine around in her glass before raising it to her lips and sipping slowly. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so. You’re looking for a foothold in Los Angeles, and I can get you one. While hotels are my area of expertise, I like to stay abreast of all local opportunities. I believe you have your eye on commercial real estate downtown?”

“You’ve done your research,” Daniel said.

“I like to know exactly who I’m getting into business with. So let’s talk about what we have to offer each other.”

Alan took a swig of his whiskey. “Straight to the point.” His gaze dipped to Simone’s chest before meeting her eyes. “I like that.”

Simone kept her face stone, returning Alan’s gaze with a steely stare. A slip-up, or a case of wandering eyes? It wouldn’t be the first time. She’d spent half her career dealing with leering colleagues and men making crass comments about their female peers. She’d learned long ago how to put said men in their place, making it clear she wouldn’t tolerate such behavior without losing her temper. Because in the corporate world, a woman’s righteous anger meant being labeled ‘difficult,’ tanking deals, or worse, tanking her entire career.

It was a delicate line to walk. And while Simone had walked it a thousand times, she didn’t enjoy it.

She returned her attention to the meeting at hand. While tonight’s dinner was a casual affair, it was just as important as any meeting that took place around a conference room table. So why couldn’t she focus?

Why did her mind keep wandering back to Jade?

Jade.Her assistant. Her submissive. The only woman who had ever made her want anything more.

And Simone had pushed her away.

“Are we boring you?” Daniel asked. “Alan can go on and on sometimes, especially after a few drinks.”

“Not at all.” Simone hadn’t heard a word the man said. “Please, continue.”

She took another sip of her wine and found her glass almost empty. She was usually careful to keep an eye on how much she was drinking, but she was off her game tonight.

No, not tonight. She’d been off her game ever since Jade had told her it was over. Missing appointments. Turning up late to work. Tuning out during meetings.

It was entirely unlike her. But she couldn’t bring herself to care about work, or anything else. She was numb to it all.

And when their appetizers arrived, she didn’t hesitate to order another glass of wine, silencing the voice in her head that told her to pace herself. Alan and Daniel shared no such inhibitions. Both men were on to their fourth drink by the time the main course rolled around.

Alan gave the young server a nod as she set down their entrées. “Thanks, doll.”

The woman gave him a strained smile. As she walked away, Alan’s eyes followed, staring shamelessly at her ass.

“Whew,” he whistled. “The ladies in LA are something else. Not like the uptight broads in New York. That hotel you put us up in, right next to the beach, with all those sunbathers? Let me tell you, there are some great views, if you know what I mean.”

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