Page 8 of Organized Chaos

Twisting my head, I kept my eyes trained on Maya. For the last thirty minutes, my attention had been locked on her lips.

"I asked if you were calling it a night?" Farah inquired, irritated.

With great effort, I dragged my attention back to her. "Unfortunately."

Farah would fit the bill for any man—pretty, brunette, tight dress—but did nothing for me. She must have been new to the industry. Otherwise, she would have known to save her efforts. My selective nature for females was no secret, and I planned to keep it that way.

"That's too bad. It's not quite my bedtime, and I was hoping to find people who were awake. Can you think of anyone?"

"Can't help you with that," I said pointedly, making eye contact with the bartender to signal for my card.

Farah followed my wavering gaze—which shifted back to Maya—and took the hint.

“Got it.” Farah knew when she had been bested and bowed out, cutting her losses with a knowing look. “Good night, Brandon.”

I nodded in acknowledgment. “Good night, Farah.”

“By the way,” she said over her shoulders, “my name is Tasha. Not Farah.”

It would have been an insult to both of our intelligence if I had apologized at that point. I didn’t care if her name was Tasha or Farah, and she knew it. For me, there were far more important things brewing.

I returned to Maya. "Ready?"

"Ready!"

Chapter 3

"After you." Holdingthe door open with my outstretched arm, I invited Maya into the suite.

She whistled. "Nice room."

It wasn't. "I guess."

JAMBA, the app I built with my friends and christened with each of our first initials—Jaci, Asher, Milo, Brandon, Alexa—exceeded our expectations. It was a micro-investment app that rounded up change with every bank card transaction. A piggy bank for adults. The concept had been brilliantly received, and we enjoyed the fruits of our labor with a comfortable lifestyle.

However, Presidential Suites in Europe weren’t held to the standards we were accustomed to. The room was spacious with a separate living room, balcony, and bar. Otherwise, there was nothing presidential about it.