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Luca accepted my offer. Time to rake in some cash and prove everyone wrong.
Right?
I sure as shit hope so.
6
Neveah
“Wow,so this must be what they mean when they saythere’s a thin line between love and hatebecause damn if what you just described isn’t that, I don’t know what is.” Mel laments over our pitcher of margaritas and endless servings of chips and salsa.
“I can’t get past the ego on this guy. Not to mention how unprofessional he acted. I should’ve retracted my offerright then and there.” I lick the salt off the rim of my margarita glass as a replay of the kiss plays on a continuous loop in my head.
He deserved every bit of that smack, and I’d do it all over again if I had to. Luca needs to be knocked down a few pegs before hisbig headgets him in even more trouble.
“I’m glad you didn’t, Nev. You worked hard to get him to sign on. We should celebrate, not stress out. Do that on Monday. That’s what Mondays are for.” Mel grins and holds her margarita up for a toast.
I raise my glass and clink it against hers. I wish I felt more celebratory than I do. It’s hard knowing how much this man is going to drive me crazy. I keep my involvement with the drivers to a minimum even though I’ll see them in passing or at races. All the time. How do I approach it with him?
I shove most of what I feel away becauseI accomplished my goal at the end of the day, andhe was a means to an end for me. My job continues, and I’ll do my damnedest not to let him bother me. Smile politely, keep it professional, and move along. Emailhimmarketing plans anddiscussthem over the phone. Simple, right?
“Unless you’re working all weekend.” I flash a grin, but I’m not joking. With Luca accepting, there’s a shit ton of paperwork to get him set up. Normally, I’d take more time to finish it all, but with the season getting underway, I want it done quicker. On top of it all, we need to come up with an advertising strategy.
“All weekend? You need a vacation, my friend.” Mel points at me with a chip full of salsa before she pops it into her mouth.
I snort. “Vacation? Never heard of it.”
“Exactly. Let’s plan one. Maybe a cruise or oh! I know! Let’s backpack through Europe.”
I look at her like she’s grown two heads. “Are you crazy? My parents would die, so would yours. And I doubt your boyfriend would like it.”
“Who cares about what Mitch thinks. We’re taking a girlvacationsoon. You work too much. As soon as the season is over and you’re less busy, we’re going somewhere.” Mel pushes her plate away and leans back in her chair while rubbing her belly. “Ugh, too many chips.”
I think about a beach, somewhere far from here whereit'swarm and sunny, my toes digging into the hot sand. No worries or thoughts of work, just chilling and drinking while soaking up the sun. “Itdoes soundnice.”
“Damn straight. We all know I could use one. Sometimes I think my job is going to kill me.”
“You’re a fantastic nurse, Mel. If I needed emergency care, I’d want you healing my wounds.” I grin, trying to butter her up for my question. “Will you please attend family dinner with me?”
Mel groans. “You know I hate family things.” She whines as she fills our glasses with the last of what’s in the pitcher.
“But you love my family.” I grin again, wider this time, and she chuckles.
“Fine,” she sing-songs, stretching the word out like a child. “Why do you need me as a buffer this time?”
I laugh. Iusually don’task her to dinner unless I need her there to keep the attention off me. I know it’s the last thing she’d rather be doing, but she’ll go for me.
Don’t get me wrong, Ilove Saturday dinner. But sometimes it's too much about work or questions I don’t want to answer on a Saturday afternoon while I’m mentally preparing for the week ahead, already stressed about how much shit is on my mile-long to-do list.
“I don’t feel like talking about LucaDeMelloall afternoon. He’s on my mind enough lately.”
Mel claps her hands suddenly, and I jump. Jeez, good thing I didn’t have my drink in my hand. “I knew it!”
“Knew what?”
“You like him.”
“Shut up. You know that’s not true.”
