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CHAPTER ONE
LELAND
“True. Men have pride, no matter what.”
Blaire’s words, that I most certainly am not meant to overhear, hit me hard in the gut.
Pride? I used to think I had some. Lately I’ve been wondering.
Her next words are a double blow.
“Does it make me a snob that I’ve never dated a guy that didn’t have a gold card?”
Maybe not a snob, but definitely out of my league.
Which I’ve known since the moment my boss sent her application my way. An informality since he also informed me I would be hiring her immediately.
I was prepared to dislike her, a rich girl having Daddy buy her way into a choice position that someone far better suited could have used to benefit the nonprofit, not just feed an ego.
Surprisingly, Blaire wasn’t at all what I falsely labeled her. She wasn’t a spoiled Daddy’s girl who would spend her time goofing off before becoming bored with “working” and quit, leaving us in a jam.
Not at all.
Despite only being two years out of college, she’s a hard worker with a caring nature, a sharp wit, and possessing an unexpected sweetness that softens the bruised and rough edgesof my own gruff personality. She’s far from perfect, yet somehow around the third or fourth month of her working for Breathe Better, I found myself becoming far too aware of her as a woman, not just an employee. Helplessly, my eyes would be drawn to her throughout the day.
And with her bright red hair, flashing green eyes, and infectious laugh, it’s almost impossible to look away.
That’s why I creep near during a private conversation between her and Savannah, her fellow fundraising coordinator and best friend. Both women are undeniably lovely, yet my gaze is only for Blaire.
“Absolutely not!” Savannah declares. “I mean, where do we meet the men that we’ve dated? At college, the club, through our families or friends.”
Blaire’s soft pink lips purse into a thoughtful pout even as she nods her head. “That’s true.”
Savannah continues, “If it wasn’t for you and your little oops, I wouldn’t have met Jake. I wonder how many years he’s been collecting trash for my neighborhood. I could have met him ages ago if I had been paying attention.”
My chest constricts. I’ve heard all about that ‘little oops’, a pregnancy scare, she had with another man. That and several other interesting things, a few about me.
I’m not dense. I know a woman like Blaire has men throwing themselves at her. She’s gorgeous, sweet, and fun. A man would have to be insane not to want her. That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt knowing she’s out there dating when I’m single and pinning away for her.
“Sometimes things have to line up for someone to be ready first.” My voice sounds raspier than normal and internally I wince as Savannah spins in her chair to face me while Blaire scampers down from the edge of Savannah’s desk.
Normally, the sound of my arm crutches give me away, but they were so caught up in their conversation they didn’t notice me lingering around the office area.
“We were just discussing the upcoming 5K,” Blaire lies, her lovely face turning a bright beet-red.
I let that falsehood go and jerk my right hand in a dismissive movement. “It’s fine to chat about personal things at work. I’m not that much of a hard ass.” At least I never thought I was.
Savannah and Blaire’s mouths drop open, and I use their stunned silence to angle myself against the corner of Blaire’s desk. My entire body relaxes as my arms and weakened legs no longer have to support my full weight.
Savannah glances at Blaire while Blaire’s full attention is pinned on me, making me want to straighten in an attempt to look more attractive for her. When I started contemplating hair styling products after years of not bothering was when I fully realized how bad I had it for Blaire. I haven’t been that interested in a woman since-
Quickly, I cut that thought off and instead try to stay on topic. The very reason I took a chance to butt into their conversation.
“Sorry Savannah, but I couldn’t help overhearing part of your conversation. And I believe things happen for a reason.”
“Well, lots of things happen. There doesn’t have to be a reason behind all of them,” Blaire argues, some of the pink fading from her face even as her eyes flash emerald fire.
A grin nudges my lips up. “Oh, if someone were to spend the time breaking down every single action, I believe they could find a corresponding reaction.” Inclining my head in Savannah’s direction, I say, “Savannah wonders how long she’s been missing out on meeting the man she’s now…”, hesitating, I look over at the beautiful blonde-haired woman that’s so similar to Blaire, yet so different. “Dating? Seeing?”
