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Yeah, like he ever went in there. I’d never interacted with the man directly, not even when I was first hired.
And no, it was stupid to think this was about me—it wasn’t.
It couldn’t be.
How my parents’ bookstore had ended up as a target for Derrick Thomas, I did not know, but it didn’t matter. I wasdonebeing quiet while he went through life like a wrecking ball in a three-piece suit.
Derrick Thomas and I were about to have the mother of all showdowns.
* * *
Come morning, I’d cooled enough to know I needed to approach the issue with some rationality and respect.
At least to begin with.
I woke early and tiptoed through the small apartment, not wanting to wake Jami. We’d spent the weekend eating junk food and drinking, and then she’d spent yesterday looking for a job. She’d do the same today.
I styled my strawberry blonde hair into a twist and put on one of my favorite dresses—a shirtdress in a pinstripe print that would have been perfect under many men’s business suits…if it hadn’t been cut to flatter a woman’s figure. And this flatteredmyfigure perfectly. A wrap style, the tie nipped it at the waist making the overall appearance both sexy and stylish. I paired it with heels Jamie had helped me find at a high-end secondhand store—she was a genius at such things. I always felt like I was ready for my A-game wearing this outfit, and I even spent extra time on my makeup.
I felt ready to conquer the world when I stepped off the elevator fifteen minutes before my work day technically began.
Even when Anamaria Reyes, Derrick’s assistant, gave me a faintly surprised look, I felt in control. “Does he have a minute, Ms. Reyes?”
“I’ll have to see, Ms. Ellis.” She rose, looked me over, and said in a low voice, “I love the dress.”
“Thank you.” Nothing like a confidence boost before slaying the dragon.
Or maybe poking the bear.
A moment later, she came out and gave me a nod. “You’ll have to be quick. He has a meeting in ten.”
“Of course.” I walked in through the door she held open.
His dark green eyes, expression indistinguishable from where I stood, flicked to me, then down to whatever was on his desktop computer, clearly disinterested and unimpressed with my ‘A game.’
My confidence waned, and I wondered if I could go through with this.
Anamaria closed the door behind us, and I moved farther into the room, squaring my shoulders.Think about Jami. Your parents.
“Mr. Thomas, I wanted to speak with you.”
“So my assistant informed me, Ms. Ellis.” He sounded bored. “You’re wasting my time. Get on with it.”
He hadn’t even looked up.
Anger surged through me, and that was better than a confidence boost. I straightened my spine and took another step toward his desk.
“I wanted to talk to you about a building you’re buying,” I said coolly.
That made him look up. I had only a second to catch the startled surprise on his face before it settled into something smug.
“Why?” He smirked and added, “Areyouinterested in buying it?”
Anger burned even brighter. “No. Not all of us are rich, Mr. Thomas.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly and pushed away from his expensive desk. “Then why are you here?” His gaze ran up my legs, and before I could respond, he said, “That dress is awfully short for work.”
“It is not,” I snapped.