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I’ve told Emma most of what happened. She knows that Ace and I met at the beach bar and had one very hot night in his penthouse suite. She even somehow got it out of me that I lost count of how many orgasms I had—and that Ace was a beast between the sheets. But I’ve also downplayed exactly how hot and beautiful the whole thing was and how much I’m still thinking about Ace. I know she’d think I’d lost my mind if she had any idea how hung up on him I still am.
“If you get the job,” she says, “our next mission is to find you another scorching Wall Street suit. Since that seems to be your new type.”
I dodge her suggestion gracefully. “If I get the job I’ll be too busy to date.”
“You don’t have to date,” Emma insists. “Just do what you did last time.”
I don’t bother telling her I’m not interested in another one-night stand. It’s a little depressing to realize that Ace has completely ruined me for one-night stands. How could anything top that?
But I’m determined to be optimistic about my future relationships, even if I can’t bring myself to think about anything but him. Not yet, at least. He’s too fresh in my mind.
Emma’s internet stalking—and mine, secretly—didn’t come to much because I really don’t have a lot to go on.
I’m sure he’s moved on. There’s no way a man like Ace, with all his money, ambition and experience, would think twice about me. Even if I could track him down, what then? Subtly slide into his DMs?
Hi Ace, remember me?
That would be more than a little humiliating, especially if he ignored me or deleted my message. I really don’t need that kind of reality check when I’m on the verge of having everything I’ve ever wanted.
Dreaming about our time in Hawaii…how Ace’s mouth felt when he sucked on me and the way his cock throbbed and surged inside me…is giving me plenty to fantasize about.
For now, that’s enough.
Because it has to be.
12
I walk along the river, drinking my super-sized travel mug full of coffee. It’s Monday morning and I’m on my way to work. I got back from New York late last night after a delayed flight and a mishap with the luggage carousel that meant I didn’t get back to my apartment until after midnight.
Now that I’m back in Austin, sleep-deprived and very close to broke, the dream job feels a lot more aspirational than it did when I was in New York. I’m exhausted. And my bank account is not thanking me for the small amount of shopping I couldn’t say no to, or my nights out in Manhattan with Emma.
How am I even going to afford New York? is the question that’s bouncing around inside my brain.
Maybe my fantasy of living and working in New York City is exactly that: a fantasy. Maybe I should be content with the job I have now and stick to my original plan of seeing it out for at least a year. At least that way I could save some money. Then again, I haven’t managed to save much yet even though I’ve been working at Stellar Investments for a while now.
I’m almost at work when my phone buzzes in my bag. I pull it out.
It’s an unknown caller. “Hello?”
“Dusty, it’s Penelope Callahan here, HR Director at Invested Enterprises. How are you this morning?”
“I’m…fantastic, thank you.” Aside from the fact that my heart feels like it’s about to thump right out of my chest because there’s really only one reason you’d be calling me. “So nice to hear from you.”
“I have good news. Noah and Evan and I met with the CEO and COO. We were very impressed not only with your resumé, but also how you came across in the interview. We like your drive and your vision. You really stood out from the crowd.”
“I did?”
“Yes. We think you’ll be a perfect fit for the team.”
“Really?” Holy shit. “I got the job?”
“We’d love for you to start at the beginning of next month. Will that work for you?”
Today is the fifteenth. “Yes. I’ll…I’ll give my notice today.”
“Wonderful. I’ll send you an email with your contract and all the information you’ll need about your move. As discussed, we’ll cover all your travel expenses, and we have a travel agent who will reach out to you within the next day or so about flights. There’s a ten thousand dollar stipend for shipping any belongings you’d like to move, which will be deposited into your account as soon as you’ve signed the contract. If you need more than that for your move, that can also be discussed.”
“N-no,” I stutter. “That will be more than enough.”
