AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Winston’s father tells me you and his son have been spending more time together.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve invited him here a few times.” I should probably tell him nothing is going on with Winston and me, but then again, this meeting has gone exceptional, and I don’t want to hear him go on and on about how great of a prospect Winston is. Especially in front of Maddox.
“We’ll have to set up a dinner,” my father says, giving me a hug.
“That sounds great,” I reply, hugging him back. As I do, I notice Maddox twisting his head. His look is a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
“Leslie. Tina.” My father offers them a small wave, then heads out of the room. I see him eye Maddox, who waves at him, but neither of them exchange words. I can still hear my father’s thoughts, though, and I have to hold back a giggle.
Tina and Leslie both get up from their spots, and Maddox follows suit. “That went good,” Leslie says. “Looks like we’re well on our way to Miami.”
“Looks like it,” I agree. “I couldn’t have done this without you guys.” I offer them a hug and they grab their folders, heading toward the door.
Maddox waits at the table. When I begin to walk by him, he steps closer to me. “I thought I added a couple good points. Don’t you think, boss?”
I let out a laugh. “Surprisingly, yes. You did.”
“Doesn’t that deserve a reward or something?”
Tina’s walked out of the room, and Leslie is just about to, but turns around and lets out a small snicker. The door shuts behind her, leaving us alone in the room. “I don’t know, Maddox. A reward? Like a treat? For being such a good boy?”
My mocking does nothing to deter him. “I’ll take any scraps you’re willing to throw me.”
“I’m sure you would.”
“Or do you only offer treats to what’s-his-name?”
I smile, knowing exactly who he’s talking about. And I find it amusing that he seems a tad bit jealous. “His name is Winston—”
“Wow, named after Daddy. Okay, then.”
“And he’s a business major at UCLA. Plus, the heir to Thornhurst Properties.”
I’m expecting a cocky reaction, or maybe even a tease, but I get neither. Instead, he has a thoughtful expression. Figuring our conversation has come to its end, I reach for the door handle.
“Are you guys serious?”
Again, unlike every other interaction I’ve had with him, there’s no cockiness to his words. They’re sincere. When I look back, he lifts his sunglasses on top of his hat. I can’t lie, his emerald green eyes have the same effect on me that I’m sure they do on every other girl he interacts with. But there’s something about his expression and tone.
Taking a deep breath, I decide that if he’s trying to be real and not play some game, I’ll grant him the same. “If you must know, no. We’re not even really seeing each other. Our fathers want us to, so they set us up.”
It sounds so cringeworthy when I say it out loud. I expect him to start laughing and crack a joke.
“That’s good. I was getting jealous for a minute.”
I let out a scoff, rolling my eyes. “Right. Maddox, I don’t know if you’ve ever been jealous of anyone.”
“You’re right. I’m Maddox Barkley,” he says with a grin. I roll my eyes, about to turn around, when he reaches out and takes my hand. “But that was before I met you. I’m gonna ask you something right now, and I don’t know how you’re going to react. Hell, I don’t know how I’m going to react.”
His words pique my interest.
“Will you go on a date with me?”
“Excuse me?” I ask with a laugh. He can’t be serious.
“A date. Cece, I know how I come off. Honestly, I never gave it much thought before. I’m a rock star. I do and say what I want. But ever since meeting you, you’re … you’ve been …” He lets out a scoff, shaking his head. “See, listen to me. I don’t even know what to say.”
I reach over, moving his hand off of mine. “Thank you, Maddox. I’m flattered. Really, I am. But … you don’t know what to say because you said it yourself; you’re used to getting exactly what you want.”
