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For an hour, Phil talked about his own career. He explained that when he started selling commercial real estate, he didn’t have a lot of money. Now he owned several properties of his own. Judging by the suit he wore, he was no longer struggling financially. If he ever actually was. He seemed like the kind of guy that would exaggerate a story to emphasize his point.
While he talked, I watched the back of Drake’s head. Any time he started to turn around, I looked away or down. I was sure the people sitting next to me thought I was on something, and it wasn’t like I could explain I was trying to avoid my older brother’s friend because I didn’t want him to offer to help me.
I wanted to do it alone.
By the time lunch rolled around, I had convinced myself Drake didn’t know I was here. Bryson probably hadn’t told him yet that I had joined at the last minute. Maybe.
***
It felt like five o’clock arrived quickly and the day dragged by at the same time. Gathering my things and saying a quick goodbye to the others in my row, I hurried towards the side exit door. I hoped I could slip through it and out to the parking lot without having to duck and hide from Drake.
I threw the door open, stepping into the sun that was too bright, and I covered my eyes. I shuffled across the parking lot to my car, skipping past people that waved or said goodbye. I’d pretend I hadn’t seen them if they asked me about it tomorrow. It wasn’t a complete lie.
Digging my keys from my purse, I unlocked my car. The quiet beep was comforting. I grabbed the handle and tugged it open, flinging my bag onto the front seat. It crashed against the leather, and I slammed the door shut.
When I turned back around, I shrieked and clutched my chest. My legs shook, and my heart pounding in my ears was louder than the sound of the cars exiting the parking lot around me. “Fuck,” I gasped.
Drake was leaning against the back panel of my car. His left leg was casually kicked over his right, and he had his arms crossed. There was a smirk on his face that I swore was permanent—or at least it was the same expression he’d had every time I’d seen him, usually only for a few minutes at a time in passing. He was never one to come to many parties, and I wasn’t one to hang out with my brother’s friends. How long had he been standing there?
“Long day?” he asked.
I shrugged, hoping I looked more casual than I felt. “Kind of. Isn’t the first day always long?” I asked, wincing when he laughed.
“Probably would’ve been less work if you hadn’t spent all day running from me.” Drake lifted his brow and cocked his head. Shit.
I opened and closed my mouth, huffing. “I wasn’t trying to avoid you,” I said.
“Oh, I’m sure you weren’t. You definitely didn’t sneak into the bathroom to hide this morning or pretend to fit in with a group of people that had no idea who you were.” He had seen that?
I rolled my eyes, acting as though there wasn’t an obvious blush warming my cheeks. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I was getting to know my classmates.”
“That group has been with the company for a few years. Notice they weren’t there for the class the rest of the day?” Once he had pointed it out, I realized I hadn’t seen them again, and my stomach sank.
The embarrassment that filled me made me nauseous, and I opened the driver’s side door, antsy to leave. “Oh,” I said, unable to come up with an excuse.
“Maybe tomorrow you stop hiding, hmm?” When he smirked again, I felt the urge to slap him. “It’s not that serious.”
I crossed my arms before uncrossing them and then grabbing casually onto the car door. He watched me, amusement lighting his face. I glared. “It is that serious, actually. This is my dream.”
“Your dream?” He bit back a laugh. “Since when?”
Okay, so maybe dream was a stretch. “Since…”
He checked his watch, suddenly appearing bored. “Look, as much as I’d love to stay and play this game with you, I know you’re only here because you saw the flyer. I know you know nothing about real estate. And I know Bryson asked me to keep an eye out for you.”
I gaped at him. “I don’t need your help.”
He shrugged, pushing off the car and walking away. He barely looked over his shoulder when he spoke. “Fine. I didn’t want to help in the first place. Good luck, kid.”
Chapter seven
Drake
On a bad day, I used to drink until I passed out, waking up early to regret the hangover just in time for work to start. Now, I drowned myself in pepperoni and sausage. When I walked into the pizza place down the street from my condo, I realized I’d also be indulging in a bit of uninvited sarcasm.
Her blond hair was tied in a ponytail on the back of her head, but she was wearing the same white sweater she had been wearing all day. She sat alone at a table by the window, sipping from her wineglass. I scanned the restaurant, unsure who I was looking for. I couldn’t imagine she was actually here alone.
I walked up behind her, clearing my throat. Amanda turned, looking up and over her shoulder. The peaceful, content smile on her face when she turned around quickly disappeared, and she rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here, Drake?” she asked.
