her?” His eyes jump over to me before reconnecting with the road.
“Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.”
“She seems different than your usual type.”
He’s right, she is. But I want to know what he’s referring to. “How so?” I ask.
“For one, she has brains as well as tits.”
I smile. “She does. She runs a successful business of her own. I enjoy her company.”
“You sound like you’re interested in her.”
“I’m more than interested. I’m already crazy about her,” I confess.
“How’s she feel about you?”
“I’m not sure. I think she likes me more than she wants to. You’ll love this for a strange twist of events—out of the two of us, she’s the one who doesn’t want a relationship.”
“I think she might be my new favorite person,” Larsen replies.
I flip him off. “Fuck off with that.”
“No, really. She’s giving you a taste of your own medicine. I’ve been waiting for this to happen.” He laughs.
“Okay, smartass. It’s time for you to answer some questions. What happened with you and Violet?”
“Nothing really.”
“Cut the vague bullshit, Lars. You guys were all over each other in the back of my truck.”
“I liked her… I still like her. When I had to leave, it was a reminder that my work has to come first. I don’t have time to get seriously involved with anyone.”
“Who said you have to be serious?”
“Violet isn’t a girl I’d do casual with. She’s the marrying kind, and I’m not at the same place in my life. Hell, I’m not sure I’ll ever be.”
“Then you’re smart to keep your distance. At least you realized it before you slept with her.” Larsen’s lips flatten, making me wonder if it’s too late and they already screwed.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he agrees, nodding slowly. “She’ll meet someone else and be happier for it.” It sounds to me like he’s trying to convince himself. “I made the right decision.”
“I’m sure you did,” I reassure. “If not, you’ll figure it out as you go.”
“Yeah, I guess. Relationships are complicated, and I don’t have the time to invest,” he justifies some more.
“Dude, I get it. You don’t need to tell me. Roxanne is the first woman I’ve had serious feelings for since my college girlfriend. And saying that feels ridiculous because I was still a kid when she and I were together.”
“What are you going to do about Roxanne? If she doesn’t want a relationship, you can’t really force her.”
“No, but I can make sure she can’t resist me.”
Larsen’s skeptical gaze briefly connects with mine. “How do you plan on doing that?”
I smile, cracking each of my knuckles in a series of pops. “By being charming and irresistible.”
22
Roxanne
“How have you guys been?” I ask before taking a sip of my piña colada.
“Fantastic,” Dani beams.
Vi groans, like she’s in pain. “I currently hate my job. I’ve been looking for another agency that’s hiring.”
“You didn’t get the promotion you were hoping for?” I question.
“Nope. I didn’t even get a second interview. In fact, what really pissed me off was how they hired from outside the company. My boss swore they would hire from within, but it was empty promises.”
Dani scowls. “That’s bullshit.”
“Tell me about it. I asked my boss why, and he said this new guy was someone they couldn’t miss out on.”
“Well, fuck him. They can’t afford to miss out on you.”
“Yeah, unfortunately he doesn’t see things the same way as you do.”
Flipping my hands over, I raise them palms upward. “I keep telling you to come work for me.”
“Yes, you do, but you’re one of my best friends. I wouldn’t want anything to screw that up.”
“As long as you do your job, everything will be fine,” I reassure her.
“I know, but I work in advertising, and that’s all I know. If I can’t find anything by the new year, I’ll come work for you,” Vi tells me.
“That’s five months away,” Dani reminds her.
“I know, but I’m willing to suck it up for that long if I have to.” Vi shrugs. “It is what it is.” She looks at me. “What’s new with you?”
“Not much.” Shit. I’m not ready to talk about myself. Leaning forward, I catch the straw between my lips and suck down half of my drink. When I straighten back up, both of my friends are watching me closely.
“Spill,” Dani demands.
I sigh, narrowing my eyes at Dani. “Fuck you. Maybe I don’t want to share.”
She sticks her tongue out. “Too bad. Start talking.”
“Did you know Adam is working on a renovation project in my building?”
“Yes, Rex told me.”
“Well, I didn’t