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Something flickers in his eyes. “Since we met, there’s never been a time when you didn’t exist.”
My heart skips, and my breathing grows ragged. I’m grateful my eyes are hidden behind my sunglasses.
“Do you really think kissing me was a mistake?” I ask, studying him, remembering the spark I felt when our lips collided. Even now, my body continues to betray me.
This is the first time I’ve found myself on the receiving end of a no-feelings kiss, and it sucks. Maybe Banks is right; maybe he is my karma, but what did I do to deserve this?
No answer is still an answer.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Being rejected by a man I can’t stand yet somehow want is a new low for me.
“You didn’t think it was a mistake?” he asks.
“Fuck off, Banks.” I pull my wrist from his grip, doing it with a little more force than necessary.
I push open the door, and the paparazzi anxiously wait outside. I ignore them and cross the street as the sunshine warms my cheeks.
This time, he doesn’t follow, and honestly, that’s for the best. Now I can break free from this ridiculous fantasy. That stupid kisshaunts me like ghosts in a graveyard, mingling with my other hidden skeletons.
I can’t get tangled up with Asher Banks. But despite him threatening to destroy my business and ruin me, I still want to.
Is it simply because I shouldn’t?
Maybe I’m the red flag.
I’m flustered as I take the next crosswalk. I have several blocks to go before I reach Calloway Diamonds headquarters, my escape route.
“You okay? Did he disrespect you?” my cousin Brody asks. “Want me to go back there and beat the fuck out of him?”
“No,” I reply, rolling my eyes, though he can’t see it behind my glasses.
“Were those sparks I saw?”
“Brody,” I say through gritted teeth, “I will fuck you up.”
“You’ll try, little cousin. You’ve got a crush on Asher Banks. Wow.”
“I will fire you,” I warn.
“You can’t. I don’t work for you.” Brody laughs and gives me space as he trails behind.
I enter the building without a hitch—my thumbprint grants me access to Easton and Weston’s floor. I ride up in silence, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
As soon as I step off the elevator, I’m greeted by the familiar diamond shape surrounded by a triangle—a symbol my grandfather sketched on a napkin when he founded this company.
Their secretary meets me with a warm smile. “Easton’s still on a conference call. He said five more minutes, but Weston is free.”
“Thanks,” I reply with a smile before heading into Weston’s office.
I cross the room, aware that this could have been my prison if I’d accepted my father’s offer. Large stacks of financial records are piled on the edge of his desk. He glances away from his screen, meets my eyes for a moment, then returns to his message.
Once he finishes, he looks up with a grin. “It’s my favorite sister and future queen,” he teases. “Should I bow down?”
I lift my sunglasses and shoot him a glare. “You know it’s fake.”
“I’m just practicing my acting skills.” Weston winks, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. “They’re all pining for you.”