by Ann Omasta
Selena felt desperate to hold on to the new friends they had made. She swapped social media connections with them, but no one seemed inclined to make future plans. Apparently, there had been a mutual understanding among the others that this weekend was simply a break from their regularly scheduled lives.
Her instinct was to reach out to them and ask them to remain friends, but as they said their goodbyes, it became obvious that they felt their relationship had reached the end of its natural life. Hunter seemed fine with the arrangement, but she felt devastated by the loss of the first true friendships of her adult life that didn’t involve her assistant, whom she paid to spend time with her.
She tried not to mope as Hunter drove her in his Jeep back to her high-rise condominium in the sky. Deciding to just be grateful for her time with her temporary friends and for her budding relationship with Hunter, she smiled over at him as he pulled to a stop in front of her place.
It thrilled her that he got out of his vehicle, walked around, and opened her door, even when he wasn’t going in. She was used to having doors opened for her, but it was normally a function performed by individuals on her payroll. Hunter retrieved her bag from the back and handed it to her doorman for delivery upstairs.
Turning to pull her into a warm hug, he asked, “Do you want to try another campground next weekend?”
She loved the hopeful look in his gaze and hoped that it wouldn’t go away with what she had to say. “Actually, I have a charity gala to attend. It seems like we have one every few weeks.” She added the last part under her breath, not wanting to seem ungrateful, but also not looking forward to yet another formal event.
At his classic downcast look, she went on, “I was hoping you would come with me… as my date,” she clarified. She watched his reaction closely and was disappointed to see the unenthusiastic look in his eyes.
“I don’t think so,” he tried to let her down easy. “I wouldn’t fit in at a fancy party like that.”
“Oh,” she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice. “You could try,” she suggested, silently adding that she had made a serious effort to fit into his world. She felt like she had done a pretty darn good job of it, too.
“Look at me,” he said too loudly. “I’m a tattoo studio owner that does massages on the side for an extra income stream. I belong at a bar or beside a campfire in ripped jeans and a leather jacket, not at some hoity-toity party in a monkey suit.”
She felt tears burning hot in her throat and behind her eyes. “I think you’d look phenomenal in a tuxedo,” she told him.
“Ties cut off my circulation and make me feel like I can’t breathe. It’s just not my style. It is better that we find out now, rather than later, right? We don’t want to fall for each other, only to find that our lives are too different to mesh.”
She couldn’t form the words to tell him that it was too late for that because she had already fallen for him. It devastated her to hear that he didn’t feel the same for her. “You’re giving up without even trying to give us a real shot,” she accused him.
“Because I can already see that this is heading for disaster,” he informed her. “You are amazing, but I’m not the right kind of man for you.”
With that, he rounded the corner of his Jeep, got in, and left her standing there––devastated and alone.
16
“So?? How was camping?” Todd pumped her for the scoop first thing on Monday morning.
“It was the best weekend of my life,” she told him honestly, before adding, “Right up until he dumped me at the front of my building.”
“What do you mean ‘dumped’ you?” Todd quirked an eyebrow, since he had already guessed her meaning.
“I mean literally dumped. He dropped me off and said we weren’t right for each other,” she said sadly. No tears fell because she had already gotten them all out of her system during the night. She’d had nothing to do, but cry, since she couldn’t sleep pain-free on her side without Hunter’s warm arm crook to snuggle into.
Once the tears had dried, she had adopted a quiet acceptance of the situation. Apparently, Hunter hadn’t felt the same way about her as she had about him. She’d had the best weekend of her life, but he was right, it was better to find out now that he wasn’t interested in her. If things had progressed further, she would be even more attached to him than she already was.
“A clean break is better,” she said aloud to Todd. She was still trying to make herself believe that it was true. “Something fabulous did come out of the weekend, though,” she told him. He gave her a questioning look, prompting her to continue, “I made some friends!”
“Really?” He didn’t bother to hide the surprise in his voice. He was well acquainted with her struggles in that department. He had been by her side through the users and snobs that she had tried to befriend in the past. Each of those relationships had ended up as miserable failures.
She nodded. “Well, they were temporary friends, but I know now that I can do it.” She told him. She was trying to muster some enthusiasm because she had convinced herself to focus on trying to make some real friends, rather than the loss of a potential romantic relationship with Hunter.
“Great! What’s the plan?” Todd jumped right in, ready to help her.
“The problem with people coming to me in search of friendship is that they tend to be the money grubbers, who are only using me to buy them stuff and pull in favors for them.”
Todd had warned her about this many times, so he was nodding his head in agreement as if her big revelation wasn’t news at all. She went on, ignoring his apparent boredom. “The phase I went through when I tried to befriend heiresses didn’t work either. They weren’t interested in my money, which was great, but they weren’t interested in anything at all––other than themselves. I couldn’t stand being around such vain, selfish people.”
“I was here, remember?” Todd seemed to be growing exasperated by her summarization, but she was working through it all in her own mind as she spoke to him. “This weekend taught me that I am funny, witty, and a blast to be around. I just have to find the right people that I feel comfortable enough around to show those traits. It needs to be people that I choose, not the ones who seek me out.”
“Sounds reasonable,” Todd agreed. “Any ideas where to find these potential friends?”
“Yep!” She couldn’t hide her excitement. “I’m going out to the chicken coop.”
She was already on her way towards her office door, when Todd tried to stop her. “The chicken coop?!? That’s not a good idea, Babydoll.” He grabbed her elbow to try to steer her back towards her desk, but she dug in her heels, refusing to be deterred.
“First off, the administrative assistants hate it when we refer to their area as the chicken coop,” he informed her before adding in a stage whisper, “We only say that behind their backs.”
“Oh, I thought it was a cute nickname because they sound like a bunch of bickering hens chattering at each other’s desks all day long.” Selena was surprised to learn that the ladies didn’t appreciate the name the other office workers had given their area in jest. “Okay, I won’t refer to anything about that. Thanks for the tip.” She started to head out again.
“You’re their boss,” Todd yelled out, trying to stop her.
She turned to him with a perplexed expression. “I know that. So what? I’ll just go out there and tell a funny story to break the ice. It will be fine. You’ll see,” she reassured him. “They’ll realize that I’m just one of the girls,” she said confidently before breezing out the door.
When she returned, her eyes were wide open with shock. Todd led her to her desk where he had a large cup filled to the rim with her favorite iced coffee waiting for her.
“I guess I don’t need to ask how it went,” he quipped.
“It was awful,” she stared at the floor and answered, even though he hadn’t asked. “The chatter immediately stopped as soon as they saw me. It was complete silence for
a moment, then they all scrambled to pretend like they were working.”
Todd chuckled at that. His laughter brought her out of her daze. “Why did they feel like they needed to do that? I know they are some of the hardest working people in this building. This office would screech to a halt if they weren’t here. I don’t care if they spend a little time blowing off steam and gossiping.”
“Did you tell them that?” Todd looked almost hopeful.
“No,” she practically moaned. “I tried to break the ice by telling them a funny story I heard this weekend about a man who wears Spiderman underpants and drops them, along with his pants, down to his ankles in the stall in the men’s room at his office. Everyone at the office tries to guess who it is, but he always manages to escape the bathroom without being seen. They think maybe he climbs the walls to get out like a real spider.”
“Really?” Todd snorted in a very unTodd-like fashion.
“Yeah, it’s a really funny story. We couldn’t stop laughing when Mike told it around the campfire this weekend,” she shared.
“But the hens didn’t think it was funny?” Todd guessed.
“Don’t call them that,” she snapped before answering his question. “No, they just gaped at me like I was a bug in their soup.”
“You’re their boss,” he tried to explain.
“So? Doesn’t that mean they have to be nice to me?” She knew she sounded rather pathetic and whiny, but she had been convinced that she was on the verge of forging some new friendships. The knowledge that she would have to continue her lonely, friendless existence stung.
“You need to find some friends that don’t work for you, and that are in a similar financial situation to you. It needs to be someone that knows what it’s like to work, though, not one of those simpleton heiresses,” he clarified.
“There aren’t a lot of billionairesses around town,” she quipped.
“Just keep your eyes open, and you’ll find some true friends,” he promised before turning to leave her office.
She silently prayed that he was right because it turned out that having it all wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
17
Deciding that she didn’t have enough special people in her life to be getting angry and tossing them aside, she swallowed her pride and called her mentor, Grant. She still wasn’t happy with his heavy-handed approach to getting her to cut back by selling his property to the Donovan brothers, but she opted to take the high road and forgive him. Besides, he had her best interest at heart, which was more than she could say for nearly anyone else, other than Todd.
Grant happily agreed to go with her to the star-studded, elegant Emerald Ball Gala that weekend, so she let Todd off the hook. He was used to going with her to these events to keep her from having to be alone, and he was happy for the reprieve. Once the rack of gowns Todd had ordered from Selena’s favorite boutique arrived at her office, she let him leave early as a special treat.
“Don’t you need my opinion about which dress to wear?” he offered.
“I think I can handle it,” she said confidently.
Not waiting around for her to change her mind, Todd scooted quickly out of her office. She got ready for the ball in silence, wishing a fairy godmother would appear, wave a wand, and create a prince to attend the ball with her. Chuckling to herself, she decided that even though it sounded completely pathetic, she would be happy to have some talking mouse friends to help her get ready.
Refusing to feel sorry for herself and opting instead to focus on the positive, Selena put on her giant teardrop-shaped diamond earrings and coated her full lips in her favorite pink lipstick. Standing back to look at herself in the mirror, she decided that she looked presentable. The sparkly silver, full-length gown she had chosen was stunning.
Turning her head to the each side, making the earrings lightly swing, she decided that the gems were truly beautiful. They had been a loan from her personal jeweler, but she made a snap decision to purchase the extravagant baubles. She might not have a man or friends in her life, but she could buy whatever she wanted. Looking at the sad eyes of her reflection in the mirror, Selena sighed, thinking that she would give it all up for someone who would put her first.
Turning to leave before she could get weepy and ruin her eye makeup, she texted Grant as she headed for the elevator. He agreed to meet her at the venue, so she rode to the museum in the back of her luxurious limo all by herself.
When she arrived at the gala, she was pleased to find Grant standing on the steps waiting for her, looking gallant in a tailored tuxedo. He greeted her by pulling her into a warm hug. With the pair’s imposing heights and confident stances, they must have looked like father and daughter. Selena couldn’t help but wonder if her real father would have jumped at the chance to help her, like Grant had, if an accident hadn’t snuffed her father’s life out far too soon. She liked to think that he would have been here for her.
She was confident that her mother would have been here too––rooting for her, standing by her side, and being a true friend to her. The lonely ache in her belly that longed for her late parents was familiar. She knew the desperate yearning wouldn’t do her any good, so she struggled to push it down and keep her negative feelings at bay.
“Ready to go in?” Grant held an elbow out to her, which she gladly accepted by lacing her own arm through it.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she answered, giving him a warm smile and trying to look enthusiastic.
“That’s my girl,” he gave her a chaste kiss on the temple before guiding her up the stairs and into the gala.
No matter how many of these events she attended, some small part of her was always impressed by the ambiance the organizers managed to create. The museum looked truly lovely with the long curtains of twinkling white lights hanging from the tall ceilings. The smell of the fresh cut flowers in the centerpieces wafted over the electrified air.
The ballroom was already swirling with activity. It didn’t take long for Selena to spot her business rivals, the Donovan brothers. She wasn’t surprised to see them each flanked by a beautiful blonde, but it was strange to see them without a desperate group of women circling them and angling for any tiny bit of attention they were willing to dole out.
Maybe they’re losing their magic touch, Selena decided, before scoffing at her own thought. Either of the Donovan brothers could probably seduce any woman here, with the exception of herself, of course.
Even though she was used to the way things worked, it still smarted that wealthy and powerful men had their choice of companions, while a rich, smart businesswoman had to convince her gay assistant or father figure to attend events with her. Something about the entire scenario just wasn’t fair, but she didn’t see how things would be changing any time soon.
The meal was surprisingly delicious, for a banquet dinner. The rolls were warm and served with cinnamon butter, and Selena was able to cut her steak with a butter knife. It was a relief having Grant with her because he regaled their tablemates with stories and jokes that kept everyone entertained. He took the pressure off her to be witty and charming. All she had to do was smile and accentuate his tales with an interesting tidbit here or there.
Once the meal was cleared, Grant asked her to dance. He swept her gracefully around the dance floor, proving himself to be the perfect companion for the evening. Once the song finished, he bowed formally before her and then suggested, “Perhaps you should take the high road and go speak to the Donovan brothers?”
He raised his voice at the end like a question, but she inferred that it was more of a strong advisement. The last thing she wanted to do was go over to acknowledge those two deal-stealers or their bimbos, but deep down, she knew it was the right thing to do.
She stopped by the bar for a drink before taking a deep, cleansing breath, standing tall, and swallowing her pride. After walking over to their table, she sat down like she belonged there. “Hello, boys,” she purred, before taking a sip of her red wine a
nd grinning at them. Her relationship with them was one of surface friendliness. She wondered if Trey had enjoyed the enormous bouquet of roses she’d sent to him, or if they had caused him any troubles with his girlfriend of the hour.
“Selena,” Trey Donovan greeted her with what appeared to be a genuine smile. She did have to admit to herself that he would be rather handsome, if it weren’t for his loathsome personality. “We were actually just talking about you,” he revealed.
She wondered if they had been mocking her for losing out on the mall deal or discussing how she had to bring her almost-father as her date to this gala. He surprised her by saying, “Millie and Ellie were just trying to convince us that we need to bring your company in to help develop part of the mall deal. Maybe you could take on the west coast where you already have stronger ties and holdings?”
Selena couldn’t quite believe her ears. There must be some kind of catch. She blinked rapidly, trying to absorb what Trey had just said. Her eyes travelled between the brothers and the two women she had so quickly written off as airheads. She searched their faces for any signs that this was a trick, but she found only kindness, sincerity, and hope in their expressions.
The blonde with Trevor jumped into the conversation. “I’ve been digging into the numbers all week, and this nationwide project is simply too much for Donovan Enterprises to develop as a solo project in the timeframes requested. In order to hire the resources and secure the needed construction materials, we would have to seek out creative capital sources for additional funding. Not to mention the logistics nightmare of local licensing, permits, environmental concerns, and the millions of other details that each site will require. It’s too big of a project for us to manage alone. We need a formidable partner. We need Chase Corp, Selena. We need you.”
Selena felt completely stunned by this turn of events. She had hated Donovan Enterprises for so long that the idea of working with them on anything felt completely foreign to her.