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I stood before the full-length mirror and ensured my bowtie was straight. After putting on my cufflinks, I dabbed on some cologne and placed my phone and wallet in my pocket.
Louis kept his eyes on the road, occasionally glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“You alright back there, Damien?”
“Fine,” I lied. My head was swimming with too many thoughts and possibilities of what might happen when we reach Willa’s apartment. She was mad at me. I knew it for certain when she didn’t respond to my text message. I shouldn’t have yelled at her the way I did, but I couldn’t help it. I confided in her, opened up in a way I’d never done before, and she mocked me for it.
I pushed the buzzer outside her building. After a few moments, the door buzzed open, and I walked up to her apartment, lightly knocking on the door.
“Good evening, Mr. Blackwood,” Matt said.
“Hello, Matt. James.” I nodded.
“I’ll go get Willa,” Matt said.
As she stepped into the room, I found myself momentarily breathless. She was breathtaking in her long, black, fitted dress that accentuated her figure perfectly. Her hair was styled in a sophisticated updo, with a few curly strands cascading, making her look like a goddess.
“You look absolutely beautiful.” I smiled.
She shot me a look, grabbed her clutch from the table, and walked out the door. Sighing, I followed her. I could already tell this would be a fun evening.
I glanced at her as she stared out the window, playing with her wedding ring.
“Are you getting used to that?” I asked, pointing to her ring.
“No, and I can’t wait to take it off and never wear it again,” she snapped.
“Listen, Willa?—”
“Nope.” She covered her ears. “I’ve already listened to what you had to say, and I didn’t like it. You’re a rude, crude, mean, heartless man, Damien Blackwood.”
“I never said I wasn’t. Can you at least promise to pretend not to hate me tonight?”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” Her eyes narrowed.
“This is important, Willa.” I gritted my teeth. “Vale signed the merger agreement, and it’ll take at least another eight weeks before it’s finalized. He still has time to back out if he sees tension between us.”
“You really don’t care that you hurt my feelings, do you?” she asked, cocking her head.
I rested my elbow on the armrest, brought my finger to my chin, and stared out the window.
“I understand you were trying to help,” my voice strained. “But there are boundaries, Willa.”
“Boundaries?” She laughed. “You barely acknowledge you have feelings, much less talk about them.”
“That’s my choice to make,” I snapped, and she flinched. “Look,” my voice softened, “I appreciate the intent behind your gift, but sending it to my office so my entire staff could see it with that ridiculous label sent me over the edge.”
“The label wasn’t ridiculous. Okay. I admit that I probably shouldn’t have sent it to your office, and for that, I apologize.”
“Apology accepted.” My lips formed a small smile.
“Your turn.”
I sighed, staring into her beautiful eyes. “I apologize for yelling at you. There, are you happy?”
“Nope.” She turned her head. “You don’t mean it.”
ChapterTwenty