never even get to look at. She was a beautiful woman, if not a little obnoxious.
I had done my homework and I was certain she was the woman I needed. I wasn’t going to marry her. It was just a means to an end. We would date for a year. She would introduce me to her father and his friends. It would get my foot in the door.
We had one official date and we did get along for the most part. She was just a little needy. I was certain we could grow to like each other. It was just going to take an open mind and some time. I could do that. My future depended on it. My phone rang again. I cringed when I saw Saige’s name on the caller ID. I hit the decline button. I couldn’t face that situation just yet.
I got home from work knowing I didn’t have any real plans, but I wasn’t quite ready to make that move with Mel. I needed to talk to Saige. I was not looking forward to that conversation. I needed liquid courage.
I opened the cupboard and pulled out my bottle of whiskey. I poured a shot and slammed it down before pouring another. I stared at the wall while the liquid burned a path down my throat and straight to my belly. “How in the hell are you going to do this?” I asked myself. I mulled over the words while envisioning her face. Damn I was going to miss her face.
A knock on the door pulled me into reality. I pulled it open and found her standing there. She looked pissed. “Saige, what are you doing here?” I asked.
She pushed her way inside. “You won’t answer my calls.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’ve been busy.”
I closed the door and stayed put. I didn’t dare sit down.
“You couldn’t shoot me a text?”
“I’m really sorry.”
She put her hands on her hips. She looked pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. “Nash, I know this thing with us isn’t important to you. I knew that going in, but I think you could at least have the decency to tell me to get lost. If this is over, just say it.”
I took a deep breath. “Saige, I wasn’t looking for a relationship when you and I hooked up.”
I saw the hurt in her eyes. “I know. But why did you make me think we had something?”
“I didn’t mean to do that. I like being with you, but I don’t want to be tied down.”
“I wasn’t tying you down. I never asked you for anything. You’ve treated me like a booty call.”
I put up a finger. “I have never treated you like that.”
“I saw the picture,” she said in a voice so low I almost didn’t hear her.
“What picture?”
Her eyes met mine and I saw the pain. “Are you with someone else?”
Shit. “What do you mean?”
“Answering a question with a question says it all. I saw the picture of the two of you this weekend. How long have you been seeing her?”
I didn’t have to ask anything else. She was talking about Mel. We attended a party with some of the elite in the city. There were photographers but I never imagined Saige would ever see the pictures. “I’m not seeing anyone,” I said.
“We were just fucking, right?” she snapped.
“We never said we were exclusive,” I reminded her.
“I didn’t know we had to. You could have told me you were dating other women. You led me on and made me look like an idiot.”
“I didn’t lead you on. I made it clear I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship.”
“You said the words, but your actions said otherwise,” she said. “Why would you do that to someone? What did I do? Why are you willing to be with her and not me?”
“I’m not with her,” I argued. “We’ve gone on one date. We talk on the phone.”
She nodded. “I see.”
“Saige, I like you, but we are in different places in our lives right now. You’re ready to settle down and have a family. I’m not there. I don’t want that. I’m still building my business. I don’t have time to deal with a relationship.”
“You know they called you the new hottest couple,” she said. “Is it because she’s wealthy? She can fit into your world better than I can?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to,” she said. “You just did. I can’t believe I thought you were different. I thought you