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Mia grabbed the glass sitting next to Gabby and put it back in the cupboard. “You’re feeling down as well. You like his brother, and it’s my fault you can’t have a chance with him. I’m the reason you had to lie.” She walked over to the stove and reached high above to the top cupboard. She pulled down two shot glasses. “I do think we need the tequila. Let’s drown our sorrows for the night.”
“We shouldn’t.”
“Maybe. But we’re going to.” Mia grinned, waggling the glasses in her hand.
“Oh, alright. Start pouring.” She missed Dane’s handsome face. His sweet smile that he shared sparingly.
I need you.
That’s all she heard in her mind since she walked out of his office. The devastation in his tone. The plea. The sharp ache of how much he needed her to stay. He didn’t need her. He needed a secretary. Her wishful thinking wanted it to mean more than the simplicity of it. But she knew it was ridiculous. He never saw her more than a secretary. After his brother told him the complete truth, he’d wish he never laid eyes on her.
* * *
Dane lookedup from his paperwork sprawled across his desk as his office door opened without a knock or word beforehand. Damn. He should’ve locked his door. He wasn’t in the mood for company.
“You know I hate it when you don’t knock or announce yourself before you step inside my office.”
“Which is why I don’t do it,” Champ said with a devilish smile. “We need to talk.”
“Yeah, what would you like to talk about? The fact you stole my secretary, then decided to screw her on your desk with the door wide open? Or the fact you’re the reason my new secretary, the best secretary I’ve ever had, quit because you decided to screw your secretary on your desk with the door wide open.”
“First off, the door wasn’t wide open. Maybe I didn’t close it firmly, but it wasn’t hanging wide open.”
Dane stood up, clutching the desk hard, his fingers started to turn white. “That’s all you have to say? You want to talk about semantics? I lost my best secretary because of you. I’m sick and tired of you coming in here and ruining my peace. Get the hell out, Champ! I have nothing to say to you.”
“You are right about one thing. You lost your secretary because of me. But,” he grinned like a Cheshire cat, “you also would’ve never had her because of me.”
“Get out.”
“She lied to you,” Champ said as his sly smirk grew bigger. His damn brother was trying to bait him, knowing how he hated liars and dishonesty.
“She’s the most honest person I’ve ever met. She has more honesty and integrity than you. And you’re my brother. That’s pretty sad.”
“What’s sad is that you can’t get over the fact Dad gave me reins to the company and not you. Grow up.”
Dane rounded his desk. “Grow up? You’re telling me to grow up? I’m not the one banging his secretary with the door. Wide. Open.” Dane made sure to enunciate the last two words just to piss him off.
“It wasn’t wide open.” Champ grounded his teeth together. “Do you even want to know what your precious secretary lied about?”
“Nothing. She’s not a despicable human being like you.”
“And why am I despicable? Because Dad chose me over you, or because I live life to the fullest? You don’t even know what the word fun means.”
Dane shoved his hands in his pockets to hide the fists he wanted to shove in Champ’s face. He never had the urge to punch his brother as he had right now. Sure, the impulse came over him now and again, but not this intense fury to let loose all the pent-up emotions he always held inside when it came to Champ. Good ol’ Champ. The boy who could do no wrong.
“Excuse me for wanting to work hard and make my way into the business the correct way. So Dad gave you control of the company when he retired. I like doing the hard work. I don’t like being handed shit for no reason. That’s exactly what Dad did for you. You do nothing the hard way. You’ve always been handed everything. You’ve always been the favorite son.”
“I’m the favorite son?” Champ exclaimed. “You’re the oldest. Mom loves you more than me.”
“Well, Dad seems to favor you more than me. I guess we’re even. I’m done, Champ. I don’t care to keep reminiscing over family dynamics anymore. I have work to do.”
“It’s past nine o’clock. You know, I didn’t even try your place. I came straight here, knowing you’d still be at work. You should move into the building. Why’d your secretary quit?”
Dane wanted to wipe the smirk off his face. Two little words would do it with ease. “Why do you think?”
“Well, I know it’s not whyyouthink.”
Dane decided to sit back down. The temptation to charge at his brother and have a roll ‘em on the floor fistfight was too much. “You’ve been dying to tell me something since you walked in. I’m sure it’s nothing but nonsense since that’s all your life is. A bunch of nonsense. Go away, Champ.”
