Page 4 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)
Chapter Four
JAMES
S trolling into the office, I hear phones ringing, people talking, and heels clacking on the marble flooring.
The rush of endorphins I get every time I walk in here never gets old.
I worked for this, this is all me… well, and Drew, but it’s our hard work that’s paid off.
Watching the hive of activity fluttering around as I hit the button on the elevator never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Growing up with an abusive father and an absentee mother, having something that was just mine, breathes life into me every time I think of it.
I didn’t use a single cent of his money, nor the inheritance I received at twenty-one.
I gave that to charity, sending a big old fuck you to Daddy dearest. I’ve never regretted cutting ties with him, and I don’t think I ever will.
Stepping off the elevator, I walk the few steps toward my office, the bright gold lettering of Carter and Smith proudly showing. I push open the door, immediately seeing Rebecca, my PA, sitting at her desk, furiously typing on her keyboard. She looks completely frazzled and not altogether pleased.
Why do I feel like I’m about to get the lecture of my life?
“Any reason why the keyboard’s getting it this morning?” I chuckle, stopping in front of her.
Rebecca whips her gaze up, leveling a glare at me. Her long brunette hair that’s tied back in a severe ponytail only adds to her scariness, and I instantly take a step back, fearing for my life.
“It’s a good thing I like you,” she snaps, pointing a finger at me. “I’ve had to field calls from jilted ex-lovers at least five times already this morning, and it’s not even 9 a.m., James.”
“I can’t help it if they’re still calling me years later. I’m just irresistible.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood.
She stands up from behind her desk, rounding it and coming to stand in front of me. I flinch jokingly as she all but shoves the paperwork into my hands. “The Wilson merger. They want a higher percentage than originally agreed on.”
I nod as I take the contract. “I’ll call them this morning.”
“Make sure you do,” she says, turning on her heel and walking toward the kitchen.
“Rebecca?” I call to her retreating form. She stops but doesn’t turn around. Knowing that I’ve royally fucked off the one person who keeps my life in order, I say, “I’m sorry, I’ll do better.”
She says nothing, only giving me the middle finger as she leaves, causing me to chuckle at her attitude as I head into my office.
While I wait for my computer to warm up, I remove my suit jacket and roll my sleeves up. Having a quick glance at the paperwork, I can see what Rebecca was saying. I slump down in my chair, rubbing my temples, knowing it's going to be a long ass day.
I’ve been sitting staring at this merger for fucking hours.
The constant back and forth between me and Wilson has driven an even bigger wedge between us than there already was—apparently, I’d fucked his daughter and didn’t know, so his frosty attitude was already an issue before we’d even started.
The only problem is, I couldn’t remember her.
I’d like to say I apologized, but I didn’t, just laughed it off and carried on.
Might explain why he’s been such an asshole.
Wilson’s a doggery old fool that should’ve retired years ago, but refused to give up the reins, meaning the company suffered more for it.
I’ll get him to agree one way or another; it’s just how much it’s going to cost me in the meantime.
To be fair, it’s not even about the money for me, Christ, I’ve got more money than I know what to do with, it’s the people that would lose their jobs, their homes if this merger falls through.
So many people depend on this working that I have to make sure it works.
Pushing away from my desk, I walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the city skyline.
The busy streets down below are alive with people rushing from A to B.
Placing my hands in my pockets and rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet, I wonder how life got away from me and when it stopped being fun.
I’d met Drew when I was eighteen and he was twenty-three. After a rough start in life, he was working himself through college. We were taking the same business course and hit it off after being assigned a project to work on.
When I moved out here years ago, following Caleb, Noah, and Theo, Andrew stayed behind.
We’d just started the company from his run-down apartment, but I didn’t want to stay.
Drew had Raven to take care of, after Sophia, his first wife, tragically died in a car accident, so I worked remotely with him until it took off.
Neither one of us knew that it would turn into the multi-billion-dollar tech company that it is now.
The irritating buzz of my phone on the desk tells me the group chat’s going off. It's usually one of two things—Theo’s having an existential crisis, or it’s a real emergency.
Theo
I need help.
Noah
Tell me something I don’t know.
Theo
That was rude *sad face emoji* I thought you loved me?
Noah
Debatable.
Caleb
Dare I ask why you need help, Theo?
Theo
It’s important, guys.
Noah
I’m still waiting.
Theo
Vanilla or mint chocolate chip?
Caleb
…
Noah
*facepalm emoji* I thought you said this was important?
Theo
IT IS! I can’t decide which one to get.
Caleb
Tell me why we keep him around?
Noah
I’m fucked if I know.
Theo
Not helping… WHICH ONE?!
Caleb
Vanilla
Noah
Mint chocolate chip
Theo
James, I’m going to need you to be the deciding factor here…
*eye roll emoji* Mint chocolate chip.
Theo
Thank you, I’m getting vanilla.
Noah
I give up
Caleb
I’m leaving this chat
Theo, I’m sending you the details of a therapist.
This fucking guy!
Laughing, I close down the app, grab my suit jacket from behind my chair, and shrug it on before turning off the computer and heading out.
The hustle and bustle from earlier this morning is now a dull, echoing sound of nothing as everyone has left for the day.
The odd person sits glued to their screen but not enough to make a sound.
I head to the elevator and hit the button for the basement.
Waiting a few minutes, it finally arrives, and I step inside, propping myself against the back wall as I wait for the doors to close.
I stare at myself in the mirrored walls, running a hand through my graying hair.
That fucker, Theo, keeps winding me up, telling me I look like Eric Dane, circa his McSteamy days.
I don’t see the resemblance personally, only the hair, the blue eyes, the same build—okay, he might be onto something here.
Just as the doors are shutting, a hand comes out to stop them.
They automatically open, and a stunning redhead walks through. She’s got curves in all the right places, and I perk up in interest. Realizing that I haven’t gotten laid in a while—thanks to a world-altering encounter—I throw on the charm, hoping I can get my groove back.
“Fancy a drink?” I don’t even bother moving from my relaxed state, knowing that unless she’s married or gay, then she’ll be a done deal.
The woman’s head turns toward me, a smile gracing her full lips as she looks me up and down. “Sure.” She puts out her hand. “Tara.”
“James,” I reply as I push myself away from the wall and place my hand in hers. I lock eyes with her, and for just a second, she reminds me of someone, but I brush the thought away.
Hitting the basement level, I gesture for Tara to go first and follow behind her as the doors open, placing a hand on her lower back. I direct her to my car—a gunmetal gray Dodge Challenger—and open the passenger door. She gracefully slides in, and I close the door behind her.
Jogging round the front of the car, I get behind the wheel, start the engine, and make the short drive to a bar downtown.