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“Mom, I actually wanted you two to meet because I thought Reyna could be a fantastic addition to your PR team at the Taylor Foundation.”
Mom raised an eyebrow that said loud and clear that she wasn’t so sure about the idea at all. I was just hoping that all hell wouldn’t break loose.
“I don’t know about that. We’re pretty well staffed at the moment.”
“Reyna is the best you can get. She’d be a real asset to your team.”
Mom’s phone buzzed with a notification, and she immediately pulled it out to take a look. This was not going well.
“How about we let Reyna do her own dirty work,” she said to me before turning to Reyna. “Reyna, honey, I prefer a woman that can stand on her own feet without depending on a man. I have something to attend to. Let’s have our own lunch without my son intruding. Give my assistant a call and she’ll set something up.”
I watched in terror as my mom handed Reyna her business card.
“That sounds wonderful.” Reyna was sitting straight back in her chair, a spine of steel.
“Great, enjoy your lunch, you two lovebirds,” she said and, without waiting for an answer, she got up from the table and left.
I turned and gave Reyna a tight smile after the tornado that was Joanne Taylor left. Reyna rolled her eyes and took a big sip of champagne.
Chapter 15
Reyna
JoanneTaylorwascondescendingand rude. I’d been fuming for two days after our lunch. Bryce assured me she was just testing me and it was a game she liked to play, but she still seemed like a horrid person. He said he had called her later, and she admitted to actually liking me.
It didn’t help stop me from being pissed.
I was pissed at how small she tried to make me feel. I was pissed that she attacked my wardrobe. I knew I was well-dressed, and I made sure I looked suitable. How dare she?
I was even slightly pissed that I found myself at Phipps Plaza, one of Atlanta’s most high-end shopping malls. Bryce had set up a slew of private shopping appointments for me. He had created a tab with each store and hired a personal stylist to accompany me. Bryce told me I could spend whatever I wanted to allow him to make up for his mother’s bad behavior. So, dammit, I was going to make him pay until I felt better. This was definitely going to test my limits when it came to retail therapy.
Nia was by my side, too. Our first port of call? Saks. And I was ready to do some damage.
“Bryce set all of this up and gave you a credit card and you expect me to believe this man is not in love with you?” Nia asked as we stared at the racks of gorgeous, breathtaking, and luxurious clothes.
“Please, he’s a billionaire, Nia. This is pocket change to him. This might as well be a shopping spree at Target.”
I tried not to act too impressed. After all, I had to fit in with the ultra-wealthy like his mother expected.
Nia chuckled.
“Well, if this is how he apologies for a bad meeting with his mom, you should hope for more bad meetings.”
I rolled my eyes as I pulled things from the rack curated by my own personal shopper.
“So, catch me up. How did the weekend at his cabin go?” Nia asked between sips of champagne as I pulled on a stunning dress that would be perfect for feeling badass at work.
“It was perfect, Nia.” I had been trying very hard to stop thinking about the cabin. But it was an impossible task. “It worries me that my mind is still stuck there,” I added to Nia honestly.
I couldn’t help the tinge of sadness that crept around the edges of my voice. Nia sat up straighter, face full of concern.
“No, Reyna. Please don’t tell me you’re actually falling for him?”
“How can’t I, Nia? Look at everything he does. It’s hard not to fall for him. The sex is great, and he’s kind, caring, and attentive, not to mention that he spoils me so much.”
She downed her champagne as she handed me my own glass.
“And now you’re moving in with him? More private time with him? More opportunities to let your guard down? Are you sure about this?”
