my door. A series of knocks, rapid, urgent, incessant. It sounded like someone was having an emergency.
3
Adam
That was a prize-winning day.
Two deals done. Two clients made happy. And a new streaming show premiering next week.
Talk about a kick-ass ten hours at my production studio.
I left my office, lowered my shades to shield my eyes from the too-bright Vegas sun, and hit the key fob on my Tesla. As the door opened, I rated my day a B.
No, make that a B-plus.
It wasn’t an A yet, because days didn’t receive their final grades till night rolled around. Nighttime had a way of raising grades to A-pluses.
But when I checked my texts and found one from the painter, my shoulders sagged before I could even put the car in reverse.
David The Painter: Still not done with the painting, Mr. Larkin. We should finish in two more days.
And that made my day a C.
Fumes. Freaking paint fumes in my condo for another night.
I’d already overstayed my welcome at Nina’s place, since she’d let me spend the last few nights there.
I didn’t want to put her out again, even though it was no hardship staying with my witty, entertaining, sexy-as-hell neighbor. And I didn’t say that simply because her guest room was better than most Vegas hotel rooms—the woman had impeccable taste and an eye for what made beds feel absolutely spectacular. I had no idea I’d like that many pillows to rest my head on, or such a top-of-the-line downy comforter.
But damn, her guest bed rocked.
No surprise, since she rocked.
Staying with her was a helluva way to spend the evenings. We clicked so well, it was as if we’d known each other forever rather than simply the last few years.
The only challenge? Nina was as tempting as the most decadent dessert, the kind you wanted to sneak a bite of when no one was looking.
A dark-haired angel with red cat-eye glasses, glossy lips, and a tight body. With her deadpan wit, locomotive-fast brain, and toned body, my next-door neighbor was enticing every single second of the day and every damn nanosecond of the night.
But I had mastered the fine art of restraint over the last year I’d spent on hiatus from any and every form of romantic relationship. And Nina never gave any indication that she was game for more. Even if she’d been game, I wasn’t in the market for more than that, given the way my last relationship had imploded—with my ex behind bars.
With that kind of track record, I was taking a break from romance.
Friendship though? I knew what I was doing in that department, and I intended for Nina to stay there.
I banished the tempting thoughts of her once again.
I clicked open our text thread and asked her if I could extend my stay at Hotel Nina.
Her answer was swift, giving me the yes I’d been hoping for.
My day improved instantly. Definitely back to a B-plus. Setting the phone in its holder, I pulled out of the office lot and headed for my high-rise, calling Jake on the drive home. My attorney, who was also my good friend, answered on the first ring.
“If you keep calling me, I’m going to have to up my hourly. No more friendship discount for you,” he said wryly.
A laugh burst from my chest. “If the rate you charge me is your friends-and-family discount, then I don’t want to know what you charge your other clients,” I said.
“Oh, yes, you do. You might switch to law if you knew what I was pulling.”
“Doubtful. I like being the king of my domain too much,” I said, since owning my production studio and taking all the risks—which meant reaping all the rewards—was what I liked. What I loved.
“With the contracts we just signed, I’d say you’re the king, prince, and heir to your domain,” Jake remarked. “Those were some epic deals.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m calling, and this is a friend call so your hourly better be zero right now.”
“What’s that? I can’t hear you.”
“Drinks are on me. Can you hear me now?” I asked as I slowed to a stop at a red light.
“That was crystal clear,” he deadpanned, but then cleared his throat. “Seriously though. Drinks are definitely on me, and yes, we need to celebrate inking deals for all these new shows. This weekend? You up for it?”
I put my foot to the gas when the light changed. “I’m always up for a night out.”
“And will your pajama party friend be joining the festivities?”