“If we do it, the New York City office will have to close first,” he said ruefully. “The overheads are eating too much into the profit because of location, operation, salaries, you name it. We can offer positions to the higher-ups or get them to train the people at the satellite offices or abroad, then close it down. We could start fresh in seven months, and that’s a generous timeline.”
I frowned. The last thing I wanted was to close the New York City office and leave a bunch of people unemployed. “You sound like Granddad.”
Granddad Mathias had been ruthless, and even for me it was a low blow, but Dad had forgotten the other thing he’d taught me to have, a heart. I worked from the heart and treated my staff like assets to my company.
My dad tensed. “I don’t want to close the office, but I’m realistic. I didn’t like your granddad Mathias, but he was right about business. The first rule is longevity. Even successful games are risky, and with changes in technology, the cost keeps going up. You pour in money to fix it without considering overhead, everyone loses. You’d end up losing money and firing them all, anyway. If you can’t handle downsizing, stay out of the investment.”
What he really meant was to stay out of his lane. He acted like I’d never been to college and gotten my degree in business or run my own successful company.
“I know about the risk, but we can invest in the staff to increase retention and still come out on top,” I said, annoying him with my 101 platitudes. “I don’t want to gut the company. We’ve got plenty of money.”
“I don’t give a damn about the money, but one day I want you—and Darling, if she wants—to take over the business. That means being ready to make the tough decisions. I have to prepare you if something should happen.” He sighed heavily and stared off into space.
My chest tightened. “What do you mean? Is something wrong?”
He opened his mouth, but my sister Darling burst into the room. She rushed over and threw her arms around my neck. “I miss you, big brother!” She hugged me like she hadn’t seen me in years, but it’d only been two weeks. I adored her.
Her silvery eyes, so much like her mom, Lily’s, shifted suspiciously between us. “No fighting today.”
I looked at Dad, and he shook his head and grinned. His eyes shone as he stared at the two of us.
“We’re not fighting, stop worrying,” he said. “Everything is fine.” He closed his eyes.
“You okay, Daddy?” she said, putting her small hand on his forehead to feel his temperature. She was a string bean with hair past her waist, no doubt eager to donate hers to Locks of Love, like her mom.
Speaking of Lily conjured her, and she came inside the room and kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry, Paul. We didn’t mean to disturb you, but Darling wanted to come up and say hello.”
Dad held out his hand to Lily, and she immediately went to him. She and Darling kissed over his face until he shook with laughter.
I sighed in envy. The dad I’d known growing up had disappeared. He had no restrictions or barriers for Lily and Darling. In return, he had their unconditional love and acceptance. They didn’t resent his passion for work or travel, though he no longer worked every day like he’d done most of my life. Then again, how could I blame him when they were crazy about him?
I stood to walk them out, and when we passed through the living room, Darling veered over to the violin case. “You’re playing the violin now?”
“No. I had a friend over who plays it very well,” I said.
“What friend? I’d love to hear her play,” Lily asked.
I rubbed my jaw. She was waiting to see if I’d correct her assumption that the violinist was female. She was caring, but nosy as fuck. “The violinist was amazing, and that’s all I have to tell you. I need a break before I leave for the press and show.”
“We’re going,” Dad said, taking their hands. “And we can see ourselves out.”
I heard the elevator ding, and I slumped in my chair, exhausted, but I had little time before I had to go to the event. Regan sent me a text to let me know that he was back, and I thought about Aubrey again, and how much easier it would be for me not to work with her considering the attraction between us—but my instincts said she needed this. And honestly, I needed her music more than anything else from her.
I skipped the power nap I planned to take before the event and went back to the piano. I needed to practice Beethoven for a contemporary film I’d agreed to do in two months’ time. My playing, however, quickly shifted back to the song I’d started when playing with Aubrey.
I played and thought of her technique, the purity of her sound and her command of the instrument. Then, as hard as I tried to block it out, I thought of the way she’d invited me to stare at her in the elevator. The reckless way she’d played, when playing with me. Her laughter mixed in with sadness.
That wasn’t everything, something was missing. I needed to dig deeper. The music demanded more. What we created had been sensual. I drew on the memory of her chest pressing against mine when I held her. The desire on her face when she stood shyly before me. That was in this song, too. I reached the end of what I had but couldn’t find the drive to write more. The song needed Aubrey. She’d charmed my muse. She was my key.
The danger Gunnar had pointed out was real. She’d already seduced me. I needed to remind myself what pursuing the attraction would cost us both. Having her over had been foolish and selfish on my part. Worst case scenario, I’d lose the contract—and more, if Gary really went after me.
With Gunnar’s help, I’d come out of the scandal with a slightly damaged record, though behind my personal milestone, and that would happen mainly because of my past success. Aubrey wouldn’t have the same fortune. She’d lose her job and tarnish her reputation. New York City was large, but it wouldn’t take much to shrink her out of work in the industry. I’d selfishly hurt the both of us. Therefore, I had to be smart. She was untouchable from here on out.
Aubrey
“What do you think?”
Destiny paused. “About the dress, or about what happened at Paul’s place?”
“Dress first. Then Paul.”
We were in my bedroom and I stood in front of the mirrored double doors inspecting the black dress I’d bought at one of the bargain shops in Midtown. I was happy to find Destiny home when I returned. She’d been dozing in a tank top and shorts. Her long, toned legs took up the length of the couch.
She exchanged the couch for my bed and put a facial mask on her already flawless brown skin. The mask didn’t cover what Destiny really thought of the dress, though. The markdown label said it was a steal, but her scrunched-up face told me the shop had robbed me.
“The dress looks cheap, sweetie,” she said apologetically. “Sorry.”
“It’ll be dark,” I said, trying to save face.
My formal clothes were in a basement at my mom’s, and admittedly, the dress screamed rayon-poly disaster blend a snag away from puckering. It was the only dress that wasn’t too short and wouldn’t break my budget from the few discount shops I had time to visit before the party. “What about with my hair pulled up?”
“Let’s see,” Destiny said, offering the dress a second chance. She propped herself up on her side. Her long, wavy black hair fell over her shoulder.
I put a quick twist in my hair and held it up above my ears. “Now, about Paul and the lesson. I really believe he only wanted to hear me play. He was so into it he joined me on his piano, and that was one highlight of the day…” of my life. “You already know how crazy hot he is, and we flirted, but when things turned up between us, he wanted me to tell him what I wanted from him. I couldn’t bring myself to say, ‘please fuck me on your piano’.” I cringed. Even hearing myself say it out loud sounded fake.
“He tested you, and now he knows you’re not easy.” She said it with such pride in me, as if I hadn’t had sex with him to protect my virtue.
I dropped my hair and pulled it forward. “Sorry to burst your
bubble, Destiny, but to be honest, if he would have kissed me, he would have had me. It’s that simple. I am easy.” That was more regret talking than reality.
I disappointed myself by not mustering up the courage to go with my desire. Though it would be job-ending irresponsible if found out.
“You’re not easy,” she said. “You haven’t dated anyone in the entire year I’ve known you. When I can get you out, you turn men down before they can even ask you your name.”
I shrugged. “I’m just not ready.”
I was waiting until I had my life together. Most of my past relationships came from my male friendships. Which also ended when we broke up. I missed the friendships.
I then asked her final ruling on the dress. “Yay or nay?”
“Nay, and let’s hope that cheap material doesn’t disintegrate before you get your money back.” She gagged and climbed off my bed. “Let’s go to my closet.”
I slumped down on the bed in her room. “I’ll either have to make small talk with the wives and girlfriends while Logan and Ryan chat up Gary, or worse, have Ryan boss me around all night.” I didn’t mention Paul. I didn’t know what he’d do, but it would hurt if he ignored me.
“How about I go with you?” she offered.
“You’d go?” I cheered, jumped up and fist pumped the air. Destiny laughed. “I’d love it, but I don’t know if I can bring someone. Actually, Logan mentioned taking his wife… But Ryan will probably try to use having you there against me somehow.” I frowned.
“He’d probably find something else to be a jerk about either way,” she replied, pushing her closet door open. She took out a few dresses and placed them over her lounge chair. “It’s not a meeting, it’s a party. I know Paul Crane is hotter than a fire, but there are plenty of men in the wings ready to take his place if you’d let them. You could meet someone tonight.”
I sighed heavily. No one was like Paul.
I put on a pink dress that was too tight and immediately pulled it off.
She handed me a white dress. “I can see from your expression that you don’t want to give up on Paul. He must’ve been something if you stayed after you ruined your clothes. I’m floored by your determination.”
“It was embarrassing, but if I’d left, I’d miss my chance to play with him.” I pondered over the dress in the mirror.
“You didn’t give up, and I know you impressed the hell out of him,” she said. “I bet he can’t wait to work with you again. I’m so proud of you.”
I grinned at her. She already made me feel better. “Thanks, but I don’t think Paul and I will play anything together. As for anything more, the moment passed. Besides, if he takes the job, he’ll be untouchable.”
“For a few months, not forever,” she pointed out. “Didn’t you tell me Logan’s model wife was the woman they did the promotional images for? Work hookups happen. You can get away with it when you’re discreet. If you were so worried, you wouldn’t even talk about him.”
“I am worried, and I shouldn’t be talking about him.” I ran my hands down my arms. “These sorts of mistakes could make me lose my job. You know it’s my financial security tied up in this.”
“I know,” she replied softly. “And I know you were depressed before, but you’re doing so well these days. Please try to live a little.”
One of the many things I appreciated about Destiny was that she never pushed deeper into what happened. She had left it for me to talk about when I was ready, which would be never.
“Maybe I should try to date,” I said as she zipped up the back of the dress. “Preferably someone that won’t make me have to rejoin the job market before I’m ready.”
“I love what I’m hearing from you,” she said and smiled. “You don’t have to commit but go out with someone and have sex when you’re ready. I know you would feel differently about sex if you had good sex.”
I lifted my brows. “How do you know I haven’t had good sex?”
“Because you never say you miss having sex, or seek it out,” she replied.
She was right. I hadn’t had exciting sex. Hmm… Paul Crane excited me. I grinned broadly.
“You’re thinking about Paul again. You have it bad for him already,” she said. “Check you out.”
We both looked at my reflection in a white, embroidered mini dress with a sheer neckline. It fit my curves perfectly.
Destiny nodded in agreement. “He sees you in this with heels, hair, and make-up. he won’t be able to keep his eyes off you. Then you dance with someone else and make him suffer.”
I laughed, letting the amusing fantasy of burning Paul Crane go for now as I collected my phone and called Logan for permission to bring a plus-one. He said my pass included a plus-one but didn’t mentioned as much when we’d discussed it in my office on Friday.
I let out a huff in exasperation after I hung up. “I’m sick of their power games.”
My email app sounded, and I pressed the button to check it. Two rejections, one from Prima Games, and an Art test? Did they even check to see I wasn’t applying for an Environmental Artist job? I cursed and complained to Destiny.
“I’m sorry,” she said sympathetically. “Well, tonight they might have to give you full time if Paul does the soundtrack.”
I snorted. “Over the weasel’s dead body. They’d just extend my contract, and I’ll be happy with that if it means I keep my job until the release, and I get the bonus.”
“Now you’re talking,” she said and pulled out a black dress from her closet and put it on. “I’ll wear this dress tonight.”
I quickly went to get her a necklace my dad had given me that went perfectly with her outfit. Even with her face mask, she looked sensational in it, and I told her as much.
“You do, too.” She pulled my hair back over my shoulders. “But tonight, we’re going for fierce. When Paul Crane sees you, he’ll be all over you.”
“That’ll go over well,” I mused.
“He has the power. They’ll turn a blind eye to keep him happy. No matter what, we’ll drink, dance and have a good time.”
“When my bosses go home, maybe.” I added, “But they’ll probably stay all night. I’ll watch you dance silly and we’ll go home.”
“You must dance silly too. One more thing,” she said, taking a pair of designer leather and cork wedge sandals from her closet.
“These are not your shoe size,” I pointed out after examining them. They were mine.
She shrugged. “I meant to return them.”
“I can’t repay you for them right now.” My next check would barely cover my rent, part of the rent for my mom’s home and her new medications.
“So what?” she replied. “Not everyone is looking for something in return.”
My heart turned over. So I was learning.
“Wow,” Destiny said. “You look Bohemian beautiful.”
I didn’t look like me. Actually, I didn’t look like the normal me. My dark brown hair lay back over my shoulders in a Jasmine-from-Aladdin style. I wore the contacts I never bothered with. My eyebrows were plucked and enhanced with a light pencil. Destiny had given me smoky eyes, a little smear-proof mascara on the lashes and finished the look with pink gloss on my lips. The mini dress was form fitting, and the platform sandals made me look sexy.
“You look stunning,” I told her, and she did.
The black dress fit Destiny perfectly. Her stilettos made her already long legs go on for days, and she’d added deep waves to her naturally curly hair. She didn’t need much make-up, but she had put on a little on her delicate, angular face. We were ready.
The outside temperature was still in the eighties, and it was light out when we left the apartment for the hired car. I was a bundle of nerves, not knowing what to expect. I didn’t have to wait long. A text came in from Ryan.
7:33 P.M. WE HAVE A MEETING WITH GARY AT THE TABLE RESERVED FOR EMONO GAMES
I showed Destiny, and she rolled her eyes. “He really thinks it will be qu
iet enough for a meeting at a nightclub?”
I smirked. “Oh, he’ll find a way.”
“I’m sure the weasel will,” Destiny said in disgust. “What he should consider is that maybe Paul Crane wants to see if they can be normal and relax and enjoy themselves. No one likes people who won’t relax.” Destiny sure didn’t.
“I think he wants to make sure I don’t forget it’s work, or he’s setting me up to look bad in front of Logan again,” I said and took a deep breath.
Destiny, as usual, was right. When we arrived at Fuel, there was a line around the block, with loud music filtering out the open door where two beefy bouncers in suits flanked the red velvet partition.
Destiny glanced at the line in distaste. “Let’s have fun. Follow my cue.”
She moved up to the bouncer like she was stomping for her life on the runway. I did my version of that walk, though I had to suck in my cheeks to keep from bursting out in laughter.
“We’ve arrived,” she purred.
He spoke in his headset and immediately moved to motion us inside. “Please enjoy yourselves, ladies.”
I laughed when we were a few feet away from him. We could’ve passed the line as part of Emono Games, but this was much funnier. “You’re a legend.”
The place was full, but not crowded. The party décor was festive, with black, gold, and white sparkly streamers and lights. They were tastefully grouped next to the tables, along the edge of the large dance floor. Further inside, we reached the roped-off section near the front with printed placards reserving it for select companies and music industry management. Emono Games’ table was in the fourth row, middle section and already occupied by Logan, Ryan, and their plus-ones.
Ryan gave Destiny and me a frosty greeting. His suit and tie were nice, but they took a back seat to all the gel he’d added to his curly hair. It made him look like a plastic Ken doll. He briefly introduced Evelina, the platinum blonde in a tight red dress he’d brought. She didn’t take her eyes off Ryan when she greeted us, as if she were looking to him for social cues. Typical Ryan, he was even micromanaging his date.
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