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“Well, yeah, he’s an arrogant, entitled, careless, insufferable asshole. You should have seen him in that meeting. He doesn’t give a fuck about anything but himself and making money.”
“Ah, so you didn’t come to an agreement.”
“Nope. It’s going to court. And you know why?”
“Tell me.”
“Because he thinks it’ll be fun. He’s going to waste all that money, all those resources, for a game.”
“What a dick.”
“Thank you!”
“We’re making a start on the discovery process this afternoon, I take it?”
“Yes, we sure are. And let’s gather as many expert witnesses as we can. I want to bury that man in so much evidence, the court will have no choice but to decide in our favor.”
“I’m on it!”
“Me too.” I stood, smoothing my hands over my skirt. Cassidy pulled her keyboard forward on the desk and I could tell she was getting straight down to business. She was putting aside whatever was hurting her for me. “I just want you to know I’m here if you need me.”
Resting her hands on the keyboard, she gave me a small smile. “I know it. Thanks.”
CHAPTER 7
Scarlett
Ihaven’t had a long-term relationship in my entire adult life. Six months, tops. Most of the time, it didn’t bother me. I loved my work, my friends, and the freedom of my own space. The only time it was a problem was when Mom got on my case about it. Or so I had thought until I pulled my beat up old prius into the valet parking at Rivers’ House for Stef and Grayson’s pre-wedding soiree. Leave it to a billionaire family to call it a soiree. I mean, who the fuck used words like that in this day and age?
I’d give anything not to have to walk in there by myself and see Rhett Rivers for the first time since the catastrophe of a mediation meeting four weeks ago. Maybe I should have paid someone to come with me. Some super-hot guy who was really tall and built. How fucking lame would that be?
So yeah, this was the only other time I found myself wishing I wasn’t so relentlessly single. Because now I had to walk into that reception room, chin held high, and face the man who brought out both the very best and absolute worst in me.
I stepped out of the car and handed my keys to the waiting valet. Fuck, this place was enormous. Gray stones, a slate roof, dormer windows, fifty balconies. Okay, that might have been an exaggeration, but there were alotof balconies. The circular drive was bigger than my living room, and the fountain could probably fill a swimming pool.
Inside, I had to fight a twinge of self-consciousness as I smoothed down my dress. It was just as opulent, with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and a grand staircase that made a statement. And okay, that statement was along the lines of, ‘Why yes, we are obscenely wealthy and it’s very important to us that you know that,’ but whatever.
I tried not to look for him. I really did. But the second I stepped into the reception room; my eyes started scanning. It was like a magnetic force pulling my gaze across the crowd until finally, there he was.
He looked... well, fucking amazing. Of course he did. His hair looked like someone had just run their fingers through it, which made my own fingers tingle. His tuxedo fit like a glove - just like everything else in his life, probably. It was infuriating, really.
My heart stuttered in my chest as our eyes met briefly. Those impossibly deep brown eyes that could go from smoldering to smirking in a heartbeat. A ghost of a smirk played across his lips, and I felt that familiar mix of irritation and... something else I refused to put a name on.
Then I noticed the woman he was talking to. A slim, statuesque redhead in a sparkly emerald gown that clung to her curves. Her hair tumbled over bare shoulders as she laughed, head tilted back to expose her slender throat, clearly captivated by whatever Rhett had said.
An unexpected flare of jealousy lanced through me, and I tore my gaze away, heat flooding my cheeks. What the hell was wrong with me? This was Rhett Rivers. A man who represented everything I despised- greed, self-interest, total disregard for the environment. I did not give two fucks who he talked to.
“Hey, you.”
I turned at the sound of Stef’s voice and felt a rush of relief at the distraction. “Hey! You look great!”
It wasn’t a lie. She wore a body-hugging, floor-length gown in shimmering silver. “Thanks. Grayson got it for me. And may I say, you look fucking hot in that dress. You decide you don’t want to go back to the hotel alone tonight, you’ll have your pick of guys to choose from.”
“You think? Anyone you recommend?”
“I’m sure I can find a few to introduce you to.”
“Sounds great.”