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I cock my head to the side. “Is that what he told you to say?”
“No, he’s actually not here tonight.”
“Where is he?”
He shrugs. “Are you going to make my night difficult or are you going to walk back across the street and get in your car and be on your merry little way?”
I tap my chin. “I think I’m going to choose difficult.” I smile at his condescending tone.
“Fine,” he mutters, reaching for his cell phone. “Have it your way.” He hits a few buttons, then holds it up to his ear. “Yeah, got a problem again, boss.” He nods. “Same problem as before. It’s Emery.”
“That didn’t seem too difficult.”
He motions toward the other security guard to come to him before turning back to me. “Boss is on his way, said to have you wait in his office.” He walks me inside, straight toward Mads’ office. “I’ll be right outside this door so don’t try anything funny, okay?”
I raise my hands in surrender. “I’ll be right here.” I smile, pointing to where I slowly sink down into Mads’ office chair.
Not even ten minutes later, the door to his office swings open and in steps Mads in his usual outfit of head-to-toe black. I don’t know what it is, maybe because I haven’t seen him for three months or maybe because I’m allowing myself to actually look at him now, but he looks sexier than ever. His dark hair is a little messy, a lock of it falling over his forehead, his shirt unbuttoned more than usual.
“What the hell are you doing here, Em?”
“Nice to see you too, Mads.” I stand up slowly, his eyes dropping down as he takes in my dress when I step around the desk.
“You look different.” He drags his hand over his five o’clock shadow. Clearly, he was home for the evening when I showed up here and interrupted his night.
“Good different?” I reach my hand out, pressing it against his chest. His hand darts out to grab mine, but he doesn’t move it away.
“Very good different.” His voice lowers when his eyes scan my cleavage. “What’s going on, Emery?” His expression turns serious as his hand falls from covering mine to settling against my waist.
“I did what you said.” I step back, breaking our contact. “I left Chicago for a while. I spent time traveling, trying to find myself.”
“Yeah? And did you find yourself?” His eyes are dark, but the light in his office cast a sparkle across them.
“Somewhat, yes, but I think I realized a few things along the way.”
He nods. “And what does that have to do with me?” He remains stoic.
“Well, it involves you in a few ways and answers your question about why I look different. One being that I didn’t have my own personal style so I did a little shopping.” I swish side to side, the dress moving with me. I see a slight smile tug at his lips. “I was young when I met Dane. I think I just fell into the mode of doing what made him happy instead of discovering who I was and what made me happy.”
“You’re still young, Emery, very young.” I try to determine if this is a subtle way of him sayingtoo young for him.
“Let me guess, too young to be here?” He slides his hand into the pocket of his pants as he eyes me. “Too young to be in your bed?”
He smirks. “Don’t think I’ve ever said those words.”
“But you’ve thought them?” He doesn’t respond. “I thought for sure that’s why you never liked me from the beginning. I was far too young for your best friend. The annoying young woman who came into your lives and messed everything up.”
His eyes darken again, his brow furrowing as if he doesn’t like what I’m saying. “Am I just here so you can rehash the past or does all of this have a point?”
“I also wanted to talk with you at some point, not tonight, about my father’s company. I don’t want to be just a socialite. I want to understand the business and I want to be involved, but I need help, your help.”
“Why me?”
“Because whether you want to be or not, you’re the only person I even halfway trust.”
He chuckles. “You probably shouldn’t.”
“Trust you? Oh, I’m well aware of that,” I say, walking back toward him. “In fact, I should probably hate you for the role you played in Dane lying to me, breaking my trust and my heart along the way.” He opens his mouth to say something, but I continue on before I lose my nerve. “But the real reason I came by tonight.” I drag my hand along the edge of his desk. His eyes drop down, then quickly back to me.
