my own father, and I think, He’d have hated this bullshit. My father took grief from absolutely no one. He didn’t bend, he didn’t waver.
Fuck this.
“You know what, I’ve had enough. Enjoy playing with yourself,” I say coldly, and I bend down and pick up my bag.
Akiri throws back his head and laughs. “I tell you what, if you win this match, I’ll agree to be at your event.”
In a distant corner of my mind, my father smiles. See? Nobody gives you respect. You have to take it by force.
I happen to be a killer on the court. I nod, and my smile is no longer conciliatory. It’s the harsh smirk of a challenge accepted.
We take the covers off our racquets and move into the service zone.
“Oh, you serve. I insist.” Akiri’s sarcastic drawl jabs at me like a dentist’s drill. I bounce the ball, swing, and we’re off.
Akiri’s better than I expected, and he has me diving and scrambling, almost missing more often than I’d care to admit. However, competitiveness tends to focus my abilities to a laser-sharp level. The two of us dance across the court in a furious duet, sweat pouring down our foreheads, grunting like animals.
What did Winona do all day Sunday? What’s she doing right now? Who is she smiling at?
The ball flies past me and I miss by inches. “Ha!” Akiri shouts in triumph.
When our hour comes to a close, we’re at a draw and my mood has gone from confident to dark and angry. We Hudsons tend to be sore losers.
Akiri shrugs, grabbing a towel from his gym bag. “Well, you’re less of a pussy than most of my opponents, at least. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a real challenge, and you didn’t technically lose. I will agree to meet you at Norfolk’s for lunch on May twenty-second, noon sharp, to discuss why you think participating in the event will benefit my brand,” he says, blotting his forehead. “Don’t be late.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks for the opportunity,” I say, surprised.
He doesn’t even look at me, just grabs his bag and stalks out of the gym. Seems like he’s used up his daily supply of social niceties.
I shower and change in record time and meet Henry in my limo out front. I carp about Akiri as we make our way south on Lexington.
“Jesus. What a diva. Can you imagine working with someone like that?”
“No, sir, I certainly can’t.” His lips twitch up in merriment.
I look at him sharply. “Something you want to say, Henry?”
“Absolutely not, sir.”
I glare at the car ahead of us. “Why is there so much traffic?” I snap, as if it’s Henry’s fault.
“I believe there’s the usual amount of traffic, sir, and you are not behind schedule. In fact you’re several minutes ahead. Are you in a hurry to get back for any reason in particular?”
I think the janitor comes through our offices around now to empty the trash. I don’t like the way he smiles at Winona. I don’t like the way she smiles back. It might give him the wrong idea.
I pull out my iPad and open up my planner app. “I believe we’re done talking for now, Henry.”
“Excellent, sir.”
Since I’m ahead of schedule, I check on my phone to see where Winona is located, or at least where her phone is located. I’m the boss, and it’s important for me to know where my employees are at all times.
She’s on the menswear floor. I sent her to pick up silk boxers for me, because it’ll make her picture me wearing them. Then she’ll remember what’s inside those boxers, and everything that we did together.
I can’t have her. I can’t stop thinking about her. I want her thinking about me. I maybe probably definitely need professional help.
Winona is standing next to a rack of suits when I locate her, holding a shopping bag. She’s chatting with Ariel.
I move close enough to eavesdrop, standing behind a rack of jackets.
“You are going to dump his sorry patootie,” Winona says firmly but kindly. “You are not a babbling idiot when you get nervous, and it wouldn’t matter if you were. He doesn’t get to keep insulting you that way.”
“I’m afraid of confrontation!”
“Do it in a public place. I can be there if you want. And the rest of my friends.”
“What if he says something mean to me, though? I know, what if I just change my phone number? That’s a great idea. Wait a minute…” Ariel’s face puckers in