Tony nods, takes the blonde’s arm, begins guiding her toward the exit.
She pauses at the door and looks back at me over her shoulder.
“Looks like someone beat me to it.” A faint smile. “Lucky girl.”
Beat me to it.
What the hell does that mean?
I’ve refused women before. Plenty of times. Usually because I was busy, or tired, or simply not in the mood. It never prompted commentary. Never warranted analysis.
So why does her observation feel like it’s pointing at something I haven’t acknowledged?
“She’s joking, Mr. D’Amico. Long flight, you know how it is.” Tony shoots her a warning look. “Apologize.”
“I’m not fucking joking.” She shrugs off his grip. “Lorenzo told me this would be worth my time. Said you appreciate quality, that you’re... particular.” Her eyes narrow slightly. “I flew in from Vegas for this. Six hours on a plane, and you won’t even look at me twice.”
There’s irritation there now. Like I’ve failed to meet an expectation I was never informed of.
“Lorenzo says a lot of things. Most of them expensive for someone else,” I say. “Take it up with him. I’m sure he’ll be very sorry.”
She opens her mouth, clearly ready to argue.
Tony doesn’t let her.
He grabs her arm again and pushes her through the door.
“Apologies, Mr. D’Amico. Won’t happen again.”
The door closes.
Silence settles back into place.
I turn to the Martinez files. Shipping manifests. Customs records. The details that keep everything running without notice.
This is where my attention should be.
Instead, her words linger.
Someone beat me to it.
A throwaway remark. Nothing more than irritation dressed up as wit.
It shouldn’t stick.
My mind keeps drifting.
To her. The assistant. Mendez.
I’ve had beautiful women throw themselves at me for years. Models, actresses, the kind of arm candy that makes other men jealous. I’ve used them when I wanted them and discarded them when I didn’t.
None of them ever made me feel this.
This... awareness.
The blonde had everything going for her—willing, available, persistent enough to fly across the country for a shot at my attention.
I dismissed her without hesitation.
