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“There’s a mortgage on your plane?” she asked disbelievingly.

“Oh sure,” stepped in Tom. “Absolutely. We bought that thing with a big loan from the bank, no other way we could afford it.”

That sealed the deal with Crystal.

“Thank you,” she said abruptly, standing with those rhinestones winking. “I have another job lined up actually. I forgot to tell you.”

We feigned mock confusion.

“A competing offer?” I said quickly. “We’ll match it. You’re perfect for a position with Elite.”

“How much is your other offer for?” asked Andrew worriedly. “Because maybe we can’t afford it,” he said, shooting a meaningful look my way.

Shit, these twins were hilarious. Fucking incredible. They should be actors with the way they were carrying on.

But it didn’t matter. The blonde was already stalking towards the door, purpose in her movements.

“Thanks so much,” she called over one shoulder. “I’ll just let myself out.”

And with a swish of that imperious ponytail, she was gone.

We waited until the elevator door dinged before bursting into raucous laughter.

“What the fuck?” was Nick’s crude comment.

“Shit,” repeated Charlie. “Shit got screwed.”

But it was more than that.

“She was the right shape,” I growled. “Helena knows what we like physically. But that girl was nothing like Joanie. Nothing at all.”

“Speaking of which, where is Miss Chickadee?” drawled Andrew, looking around like he could find her somewhere. “What’d she get up to?”

I shrugged.

“Should be back soon,” was my confident reply. “Probably just stepped out for coffee.”

Aaron glanced at his watch.

“Been a while,” he growled, eyes getting intense. “What the fuck, how long could coffee take? Isn’t there a bodega on every corner in this city?”

I shrugged again.

“Starbucks has lines that go for miles these days,” was my casual reply. “Something about fall flavors and red cups instead of white.”

“Are you shitting me?” interrupted Nick. “Seriously, is this what we’re talking about? Pumpkin spice and all that bullshit?”

I shrugged.

“Marketing is my thing. If you knew how much Starbucks spends researching their holiday offerings, you’d be astounded.”

Because it was true. Whatever people say about their coffee, Starbucks is a marketing genius. They’ve taken over the coffee industry and prevented newer, cooler upstarts from making headway. So geniuses all around.

But Nick had a point. It was ten thirty now, and there are bodegas all over the neighborhood. Joanie should have been back by now.

“Shit, what if she doesn’t come back?” rumbled Damien, eyes concerned. “Did you guys fuck up big time yesterday?”

The twins and Nick exchanged a glance that was frankly, a little guilty.

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