“And your longest relationship lasted six weeks, Congressman Charisma.”
“You realise I pay your salary, right?”
“You realise I’m the only person standing between you, some stupid scandal, and having to resign in disgrace?”
Brax snorted into his wine.“She isn’t lying, bud.”
A waitress sashayed over and loaded the two empty wine bottles onto a tray.Unlike the guests, she wore sensible shoes, although her tiny shorts and too-tight shirt still attracted attention.Grey looked her up and down slowly, gave a made-for-TV smile, and asked for another bottle of Merlot.
Ava turned back to Justin.“You’re feeling guilty, aren’t you?”
He tried to brush off the accusation.“Why would I feel guilty?”
“Because for once in your life, you said ‘no’ to someone, and she didn’t take it well.Is it true you only asked her to marry you after she started complaining about your lack of commitment?”
Justin gave Grey the stink eye.“I told you that in confidence.”
“I don’t have any secrets from Ava.”
“Yeah, right.”
Ava carried on regardless.“I imagine you’re also worried about being left on the shelf.What are you now, thirty-five?”
“Thirty-two.I spend a lot of time outdoors, okay?”
“The rugged look suits you.Just have some fun.”
“Fun?Be serious.”
“Okay, fine.Go home and cry into a glass of wine, then burn all the pictures of you and Melanie together and sign up for therapy.”
“Did anyone even invite you tonight?”Brax asked.
“Look, I’m twenty-nine, and do you see me freaking out about my biological clock?No, you do not.There are far worse fates than being single—I could be straight and dating an asshole like Grey, for example.”
“That would be worse,” Justin conceded, at the same time as Grey said, “Hey!”
“Repeat after me,” Ava continued.“No more crazy redheads.”
“’Crazy’ is a strong word.And I don’t think Melanie was insane, not in the clinical sense.”
Justin looked at Grey, and Grey, the man with the minor in psychology, held up his hands.
“Don’t get me involved.”
“No.More.Crazy.Redheads,” Ava repeated.“Pick a brunette.A blonde, even.That pair by the bar keep checking you out.”
Justin glanced sideways and spotted two stunning blondes in skyscraper heels.The one on the left smiled and gave a little wave.
“Fine, no more crazy redheads.But I bet those barflies are more interested in Grey.”
“Fools.Only a masochist, a spy, or a lunatic would want to tangle with Grey.I fall into the first category, by the way, and that’s because he pays me a bunch of money.”
“I should fire you,” Grey muttered.
“No, you shouldn’t.Remember those workplace protections you voted for?You’d end up owing me even more money.”
“Fuck.”
