Page 7

“Wow! That’s amazing.” Farah’s eyes were huge as she absorbed my story.
“Yeah, and apparently, he’s the CEO’s son. When you told me he was a billionaire, I didn’t realize that meant he works at the same company that just hired me.”
“Ariana, he’s a big deal. The guy was top of his class at Stanford.”
“I had no idea.” I’d just assumed he’d gotten his job from being the owner’s spoiled son. Now, more than ever, it’s completely out of the question to allow anything remotely romantic to happen between me and Kaison. He’s smart. That only makes him that much more attractive.
“So did he ever figure out who you were?”
“Eventually.” I shouldn’t have made the comment about him thinking I’m a catch, but again, I let my mouth run. It’s one of my biggest flaws, but hey, I’m working on it. Sort of. If I ever end up getting fired, it won’t be because of my work, it’ll be because I said something stupid.
“And now you have to work together?” Farah’s eating this up.
“He’s already texting me late at night.”
She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Because he wants you. It’s a sign.”
“He wanted the girl at the club. Not me.”
“You’re the same person. Guys don’t care if a girl is all dolled up.”
I pick up my nail file and smooth down a jagged edge of one of my nails. “Guys like him do. He probably wants some high-maintenance chick. But I don’t want him, so this conversation is pointless. It’s never going to happen.”
“Famous last words,” Farah teases. “Even he could tell that you wanted him. You were totally ogling him. I almost got a napkin to wipe the drool off your chin.”
“I wasn’t drooling,” I protest.
She smiles. “Okay, maybe not. But you’re definitely in denial.”
“Fine. He’s hot. But what good is any of that if he’s a player who doesn’t respect women? He’s exactly the kind of guy I try to stay away from. Arrogant, thinks women are disposable.”
“Maybe he’s not as bad as you think. He did give you a better office, after all,” Farah points out.
“He said it was because he didn’t want to go all the way to the tiny office I had.”
She frowns. “Oh, then maybe he’s not that nice.”
“See what I mean? We’re not exactly starting off on the right foot, and I have to work with him, and it’s going to be horrible.” It doesn’t help that he didn’t recognize me either. That still stings.
“Better get your beauty sleep then. I have an early meeting, so I’d better get to bed myself.” She hops up from my bed and scoops her shoes from the floor. “Sweet dreams.”
Farah is crazy, going to the club until late when she has to get up early. The girl barely sleeps.
Not that I’m much better. I could sleep, but it’s bugging me that I can’t get this chapter written. Just one more scene. I turn back to the keyboard, and after a few minutes, my fingers fly over the keyboard. Finally, the story is flowing, a better use of my words than allowing random thoughts to spew from my mouth unchecked.
I finish my scene and then remember the text from Kaison. I answer him.
Breakfast sounds good.
His response comes immediately. He’s still up? He’s just as bad as I am about skipping out on sleep.
Perfect. See you in the morning.He adds a winky face.How do you like your coffee?
Soy latte.
You got it. The coffee shop by the office is amazing. You’re going to love it.
I’m starting to regret my decision to agree to breakfast. He’s being too chatty. I need him to be distant. Professional. Not warm and generous.