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“Just so you know, this isn’t exactly mature behavior.”
“Petty is my middle name.” She sticks her tongue out at me as I slip my phone back into my purse and get out of the car.
“Try bitch too,” I spit at her with a wave, and because she always has to have the last word she yells, “I don’t need to try, I own that shit.”
* * *
Robert has called me almost every day the past week. While I have no intention of taking him from Monroe, I also have no wish to give Damon the impression that I’m helping the competition on his time.
In order to avoid any issues, I’ve met Robert during my lunch and a few days after work. With my schedule filling up, I’ve had to arrange to meet him at a coffee shop on the same block as CPM. I really don’t have the time to be going a lot farther from the office. And the less time spent in a taxi, the more time I have to help Robert.
He’s one of the most interesting people I know, and the more I read of his life, the more in awe I am of him.
“This is great,” I laugh at one of the more humorous memories he’s shared. “Casanova Robert is funny and charming.”
“I had my moments.” Looking up at me from his MacBook, his stare stills on mine for a second too long for it to be acknowledgement or conversational politeness. “Ava,” he murmurs before clearing his throat.
My heartbeat increases because that’s how my dad sounded when he told me he was giving Marsh the VP position. “Is everything okay?”
“You have worked so hard with me.”
“It’s really not that arduous when the content is fantastic.”
“I can’t let Monroe take credit for your work.” He smiles kindly, but my chest wrenches painfully at the apologetic set of his eyes.
A nervous laugh bubbles from my mouth, trying not to feed the pity he already feels for me. “I’m a Monroe, so it’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t.”
I open my mouth to argue, but I’m not really sure what to say.
“I agree.” A deep rumble fires my heart into a frenzied sprint.
Dang it!
Turning, I prepare myself to be berated, but it seems that Damon Coldwell’s nice front is in place. He holds my gaze, dark eyes narrowed in a way that makes my stomach flip even with the certainty that he’s going to rip me apart later. And not in the way that my pussy is clenching for.
“Coffee?” Damon asks.
When I shake my head, lowering my stare, he moves on to Robert. “Mr. Rhodes, would you like a drink?”
So cordial and pleasant.
“Ava and I are done for today. I’ll be coming to the office at her next available appointment to discuss how we will proceed.”
My heart splits in two at the notion of robbing my family. I swore to myself that I wouldn’t touch any of their clients. Hurting my father isn’t what my move was about.
“Robert, honestly…”
“We look forward to seeing you soon.” Damon sits beside me at the table, watching me while Robert packs away his belongings.
“I’ll call you, Miss Monroe.” Robert leans down, and without warning he presses a kiss to my cheek before he whispers, “Don’t let anyone steal your thunder.”
He’s never done anything like this before. He’s all handshakes and shoulder taps and squeezes.
“Mr. Coldwell, I will see you in the near future.”
With a wink in my direction, he leaves.
