AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fuck. I don’t know how to backtrack, so I decide the best thing to do is ignore my slipup.
“Why’d she get another job?” I ask.
“She wants to move out, live on her own. I get it, but it still scares the shit out of me. I would have felt more comfortable with her living on her own here, but now that we’re in New York, it’s different.”
I don’t think this is an invasion of her privacy. It’s two brothers talking about their sisters, right? I think about how Sophie would want me to respond to Griffin, too bad it’s in direct opposition to how I feel as her man.
“Sophie seems like a strong, independent woman. If she feels like you don’t think she can do something, she probably will only push harder to do it. This one time I was—” I cut myself off, remembering my place again.
“What were you going to say?” he asks.
“Just that’s my experience with Hannah. Give her space, let her come to you.”
That’s my tactic this week, anyway. No matter how much it sucks not hearing from Sophie, not knowing how she feels. It could all blow up in my face and she could decide she would rather end things between us.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He nods. “Thanks for listening.”
“Sure.”
We meet up with the guys from Swinnerton, the construction company that we’ve slated to do the luxury condo tower project with and enjoy an extravagant five-course meal. After dinner, Jeff and Lance want to continue the evening at a club. Griffin declines so he can return to his room and call Emma. If it were up to me, I’d go back to my hotel room and stare at my phone, willing Sophie to text me back.
But this is part of the business. Before Sophie, I had no problems going out to a nightclub for a few drinks. I was open to having a good time and finding a woman to take back to my room. Hell, that’s how Sophie and I met.
It’s different now. I only want her. The thought of being with another woman makes my skin crawl.
Not long after we’re seated at a VIP table, Jeff, the CEO of Swinnerton, invites a group of women to join us. I’m barely in the mood for work, let alone entertaining a group of women that I have no interest in.
“Should we do shots?” one of the women asks, already pouring herself a vodka drink from our bottle service.
“Shots are always a good way to start the night.” Lance, Swinnerton’s VP of Marketing, signals to a passing waitress to bring a round of shots.
Jeff and Lance are good guys, they’re hard workers, but I also know firsthand that they like to let loose.
I pull my phone out and check my messages for the millionth. Nothing from Sophie.
“What do you do?” the blonde in the short pink dress asks.
I pocket my phone and take a sip of my Manhattan.
“I’m in real estate.”
Lance laughs. “That’s an understatement. Ladies, you’re looking at Hunter Cartwright, the CEO of the largest real estate development firm in the country. Wealthiest one, too.” He smirks. “Weren’t you named sexiest bachelor in New York City or some shit?”
He’s referring to the article that came out a year ago when my father retired and I became CEO.
I think Lance thinks he’s helping my game, as if my obsession with my phone is a result of nervousness being around beautiful women and I need him to play wingman.
Jeff leans back on the sofa and studies me. “Wasn’t it last time you were here with us that you left with a young blonde?”
I tense at Jeff’s mention of Sophie. It was on a night out with them that I met her at this very club.
The blonde moves closer and places her hand on my thigh.
“So, you’re into blondes?” Her lips curve into a flirtatious smile, her intentions clear.
My body bristles with her touch. I’m aware that would not have been my reaction a few months ago. But it’s that awareness that has me removing her hand and giving it a gentle pat as I place it on the leather seat next to her. I can see the blush on her cheeks at the rebuff.
“I’m with someone.”
