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‘About what?’ I ask Fabio, never taking my eyes off her.
‘The new pitcher.’
She looks perfect. Her hair in a messy knot on the top of her head, her cheeks flushed. Her fitted shirt shows me every curve I know is beneath. But all I feel is a building sense of rage. My nostrils flare, and I grind my teeth. If we weren’t in the street, I’d give her a piece of my mind.
She seems to finally make the decision to come toward us. I’m not doing this again. I won’t start my days or end my days thinking of her. I won’t screw up my career because of her.
Fabio hands me my bagel, and I waste no time taking it from him and turning my back on Becky.
17
DREW
The week has passed in much the same way as it started. I’ve hardly slept. I’m constantly hungry from putting my body through the mill with Brooks. Yet, when it comes to eating, nothing seems appealing. And I’m more distracted than ever, which ticks me off. If I’m not thinking about her, I’m checking my phone to see if she’s called. She hasn’t. Not even a message.
She got under my skin. Messed with my structure, my routine.
There’s one difference between today and earlier in the week. I’m still angry, no doubt about it, but I miss her. I know how insane that sounds. Regardless, it’s true. I miss her attitude. How she laughs at her own quips. Her silly British sayings. I miss her smile. And I’m damn sure I miss the feel of her skin against mine.
The last thing I want to do is spend my Friday night at Jerome’s club opening, but I have no choice, and maybe I could use the change of scene.
I stop staring at the blank email on my screen when there’s a tap on my office door.
‘Malcolm. What can I do for you?’
Malcolm Eddy sits on the chair on the opposite side of my desk. His hazy eyes tell me he’s back from a boozy Friday lunch. His breath tells me that booze was a heavy red. He makes himself comfortable, tugging up his pinstripe slacks an inch and unfastening the button of his tailored jacket.
‘I wanted to thank you, Drew. I received a call earlier from my guy at Astrana. He admitted that he liked your style in the intellectual property case. He told me he brought a new piece of work to you.’
I rest back in my chair and bring my fingertips together, braced for a fight.
‘He also said you told him that all work should come through me as the client partner. Well, I appreciate it. I think maybe you do have the best interests of this firm at heart.’
I release my steeple. ‘I said it. I meant it.’
He purses his lips as he stands. ‘I also just had lunch with Patrick.’ My ears prick up. That sleazy bastard is trying to buy votes with an overpriced steak. ‘He took me for steak.’
I knew it.
‘I’ve got to tell you, it was the best steak I’ve had in the city. But do you know what I was thinking the whole time he was schmoozing me and trying to convince me to vote for him? I was thinking, “Have you got no dignity?” I don’t like you much, Drew, but I respect that you didn’t try to buy me like that. You did something good for the firm and that gets my vote every time. I would rather be led by a bastard with substance than a pretentious bastard.’
At that I have to laugh, and it feels freakin’ good too. ‘I’m sure there was a compliment in there somewhere, Malcolm.’
‘There was. I’ll be on your side when it matters, Drew.’
‘I appreciate that.’
He dips his head once, sternly, and leaves. If I’ve got Malcolm in the bag, I’ve got this. I’m almost certain of it. The other real estate guys will follow his lead.
Sarah struts into the office, her eyes dancing. ‘Did I just hear what I thought I heard?’
‘If you heard the bell ringing on Patrick’s fight for named partner, I’d say you heard right.’
‘I guess Becky and her ideas did you some good after all.’
Just like that, she swipes the smile from my smug lips.
‘I guess she did.’
