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For sure. “We all made our mistakes coming up.”
As we approach my office, Wallace lets out a melodramatic sigh. “Can you tell me where I’m going wrong? I keep trying to come up with ideas that are different but nothing works out.” He pushes past me and into my office without waiting for an invitation.
I look longingly down the hall toward the break room. If we’re going to have a come to Jesus moment, couldn’t we at least do it over coffee?
But the earnest look on his face touches whatever’s left of my cold, dead heart. I take a seat behind my desk.
“Let me let you in on a little secret Wally.”
He shifts uncomfortably. “Um, it’s Wallace actually.”
“That’s a lot of name. Look kid, people don’t want different no matter what they say. Kind of like when women claim they don’t care how tall a guy is or if his cock is small.”
Wallace covers his crotch while nodding ruefully. Jesus. I don’t even want to know what subconscious memory triggered that reflex.
“Your idea was the perfect example. No one buying a $100,000 Luxiva gives a shit if it’s environmentally friendly or it can haul a bus. These are the type of people who’d buy the rainforest for their New Year’s Eve party before investing money to save it.”
After an awkward pause, Wallace asks, “So what do I do?”
“Remember that people want the same things they’ve always wanted. Luxury, power, sex. Not what they claim to want. Because most people are hypocrites.”
Slow clapping interrupts.
We both turn to see Mya standing in the doorway to my office. She raises her eyebrows. “Gems of wisdom from our resident hedonist.”
“Nothing wrong with pleasure, Miss Taylor. Isn’t that what the luxury division of Mirage is all about?”
Mya ignores me and looks at Wallace. “Let me know if you ever decide to switch management teams, Ace. We could use a guy like you with a good heart. Or you know, a heart period.”
I stand and clap the petrified looking younger man on the shoulders. “That’s what I’ll call you. Ace! Best slogan you’ve come up with all season Miss Taylor.”
A knock on the door interrupts. Anya, the office manager is holding a huge bouquet of flowers. “Delivery for you, Mya. Should I put it in your office with the others?”
“Oh yes. Thank you!” Mya leaves, closing the door slightly behind her.
“I guess her boyfriend is still in the dog house,” Wallace mumbles as he approaches the door.
My hand hits the wood harder than I intend and the door slams closed before he can leave. Wallace jumps back in surprise.
“Sorry, kid. What did you say about the dog house?” I’m way more interested than I should be in the details of M
iss Taylor’s perfect life but there’s no denying that I’m interested.
Wallace stares at me with eyes wide as saucers. “N-Nothing. It’s just that Mr. Carter has sent flowers for three days in a row now.”
“I thought they broke up?”
Now Wallace is looking at me like I’m the green rookie. “They did. Dude, no guy is that romantic unless he’s in trouble or trying to impress. I heard he cheated on her. But maybe that’s just a rumor. Because I also heard she cheated on him.”
All I can think is, no fucking way.
My instinctive leap to her defense is surprising. There are very few women who earn the benefit of the doubt from me. Guys get such a bad rap for chasing tail but women are even worse, they’re just impressed by different things. Instead of tits and ass, they want power and position.
My college sweetheart, Tessa, taught me that lesson well. She was my first love, and damn did I fall hard. Until I caught her banging one of her professors in his office. Karma usually comes around in the end, though. He didn’t even give her a good grade.
“Mya wouldn’t do that,” I interrupt.
Wallace looks taken aback by my defense of my sworn enemy. His speculative look is making me uncomfortable so I laugh it off.
