“Oh, yes,” Sarah drawls. “Because you so clearly stated your intentions the first time around. I have a feeling you didn’t even get to know her all that well.”
“That’s not?—”
“What I mean to say is, Natalie has changed. She isn’t going to let herself be burned twice. It doesn’t matter if she wants you; she won’t act on it.”
Sarah crosses her arms over her chest. “Maybe instead of trying to drag her into your bed, try getting to know her. She’s smart, funny, and hardworking. She likes cats. Did you know that? She never got one because her mother never allowed her to get one. She likes blueberry muffins, but she hates chocolate. She’s allergic to peaches. She hates the color orange. Can’t stand it. I have to peel mandarins for her because she doesn’t like doing it herself.”
I’m looking at the woman sitting beside me now, fascinated. These are things I never knew. Why didn’t I know them?
“My point is, get to know her, or you’ll get nowhere with her.”
“Why are you helping me?”
She scoffs. “I’m not helping you. I’m helping her.”
“I thought I had to convince you of my intentions.”
She gives me the side-eye. “Court’s still in session, but you did injure your hand for her. And you took her home to meet your mother. Natalie may not realize what that means, but I do. However, I’m not answering any questions about her relationship with her family. I’ve already said enough.”
With that declaration, she steps out of the car, but not before pausing and looking at me seriously. “I’m watching you, Wilder.”
I peer at her retreating figure.
Turning on her heels, she heads back inside the building. Sarah has given me a lot to think about. She’s an unlikely ally, but one I might need given the circumstances.
Starting the car, I begin the drive back to my penthouse. I’ve been spending most of my nights at the office since there’s a lot to get done, but tonight I want to sleep in my own bed.
As soon asI open the door to my penthouse, irritation flickers through me. The lights are turned on, and I can hear the living room television on full blast. The familiar sounds vibrating from its speakers of shredding tires and explosions drift down the hallway.
Only Nick has a key to my place. Somehow, I can’t imagine him leaving his pregnant wife and coming to crash here. I set down my briefcase next to the door and make my way towards the living room. To my surprise, I see the backs of three heads. An action movie is playing on my television, and I can hear the crunch of chips.
Their feet are propped up on my coffee table.
“You all have two minutes to explain what you’re doing here,” I growl.
The first one to look over his shoulder is Nick.
He sighs. “This was not my idea. Elisha kicked me out, and these two offered me a ride to your place. I didn’t know they would stay over.”
Jake lifts his hand in greeting. “Nick and Elisha are having marital issues. I thought he might need a lawyer.”
“You practice corporate law,” Nick snaps. “You’re basically useless, Jake. And my marriage is fine.”
“I started out to become a divorce lawyer,” Jake protests. “I only changed it to corporate because Mom said it was bad karma to become a divorce lawyer. And if your marriage is so fine and dandy, why did your wife kick you out?”
“God, you’re such a mommy’s boy,” Caleb gags. “Grow up, Jake. If you want to become a divorce lawyer, you should have pursued it. There’s more money in divorces these days, anyway.”
“And what about you, Caleb?” I walk around the couch, facing the three of them.
Caleb lifts his shoulders. “I just went to where the party was at. I figured you would be crashing at your girlfriend’s place.” He looks between me and Nick. “The two of you don’t have much luck with women, do you?”
“Natalie is not my girlfriend...” I pause. “...yet.”
Jake rolls his eyes. “It’s a bad idea, Ethan. Stop thinking with your dick.”
“Why do you have to be so vulgar?” Nick demands. “Kick them out, Ethan. I just need a place to sleep.”
I glower at them all. “My apartment is not a hangout spot. Get out. Why didn’t you just get a hotel room, Nick?”
