I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,320

cute. “Another drink?”

“The bar I like.” We walked toward the biggest crowd of people who all seemed to have similar taste in art—the kind that smelled like wine. “So, tell me about yourself. Was your mother a Wham! fan?”

“No, I’m named after my grandfather, not George Michael. Although I am a fan, particularly of his day-glow period.”

There weren’t many men who made me laugh. Maybe this wouldn’t turn out to be the worst setup in the world. We got fresh drinks and found a free spot, away from the crowd and the art.

“I’m an architect, I’m from Ohio, and I don’t like cats. You?”

“I’m from Sacramento,” I replied. “I don’t like cats either and I’m a researcher at a consulting firm.”

“Grace said you were new to the city. Did you move for the job?”

“Partly.” My move had been totally about King & Associates. I’d have moved anywhere to work with Max King. “And to live in New York.”

“And now that you’re doing it, is it all you thought it would be?”

“I don’t get along with my boss.”

“Oh,” he said, nodding. “But does anyone? I mean, isn’t it like the rule that you hate your boss? Isn’t he just there to stand between you and your internet surfing habit?”

I tilted my head. “I don’t resent him because he interrupts my online shopping experience. I enjoy what I do. My boss is just rude.” And gorgeous. “And arrogant.” And great in bed. “And ungrateful.” And kisses as if it was his major in college. Max King was a man who had every right to be obsessed with his penis.

George had a dimple that appeared on the left of his face when he smiled. “I have my own firm. I wonder if one of the guys working for me is standing at a party having the exact same conversation about me.”

I winced. “God, I’m sorry. I’m sure that’s not happening—”

“Don’t sweat it. Like I said, I think it’s part of the job—some people aren’t ever going to like you.”

“And you’re okay with that?” I asked, genuinely interested.

“I’m not sure I’ve thought about it. Whether or not I’m okay with it, it’s still going to happen, right? Not everyone likes you, do they?”

I laughed. “Hey, you’ve only known me a few minutes and already you think people must hate me?”

“It’s not personal. And when you’re signing someone’s paycheck, things just get magnified. Normally, if you don’t get along with people, you don’t have chemistry with someone, you can just avoid them. But at work, you’re forced to spend time with them, so you’re just more aware that you don’t like the person.”

Generally, he made sense, but he hadn’t met the specific asshat that was Max King. “I guess.”

“How about I distract you from work one night this week, take you to dinner and prove not all bosses are evil?”

I bit the edge of my plastic cup. “This week?” I asked.

“Yeah, unless you’re booked up already.”

“No. Not booked up.” Did I want to go to dinner with George? The memory of Max’s hips pinning me to the wall of his apartment flashed through my head. I touched my neck, as if I could still feel his breath whispering against my skin. “Dinner sounds good.”

I needed new memories to replace the ones of Max King.

Monday at King & Associates was busier than I’d expected. I’d gotten pulled in on a new, high profile research project on luxury goods in China. I’d been so excited I’d almost forgotten Max King was my boss. For the first time in forever, I left work with a smile on my face, despite it being past eight.

“Hi, Barry.” I waved at the doorman as I passed his desk and pressed the elevator button. I wanted a warm bath, my bed, and maybe a smidgen of Game of Thrones.

As the doors slid open, Max stood in front of me in his workout clothes, tall, handsome, and staring at his phone.

God-damn you, Lycra.

I froze, unsure what to do. Was he coming out or going down to the basement? At that moment he glanced up and for the first time since he’d made me come a bazillion times, he looked me in the eye.

“Harper,” he said, a note of surprise in his voice.

Had he thought he’d never see me again? I worked for him, lived in his building, for Christ’s sake. Maybe he wasn’t as smart as people said he was.

“Going up?” I asked.

“No, yes.” He sounded confused. “Get in. I’ve been wanting to