I close my eyes.
“Why do you look like you’re going to be sick again?” he asks. I snap my eyes open and look at him. His eyes are twinkling with mirth.
“I’m fine. I ate too much.”
“I’ve never seen a woman pack away so much food,” he agrees.
I shrug. “That’s what happens when you grow up with a grandmother who isn’t satisfied with your food intake until you feel like you’re going to puke.”
I look down at myself. I’m not skinny, and I love food.Allfood. But I also like how I look. I have a butt and boobs and a noticeably soft stomach. My thighs are on the larger side and I have cellulite. Compared to the women Anderson seems to enjoy, I’m a whale—a whale who drinks too much, swears too much, and pukes during car rides.
“That dress is pretty,” Anderson adds casually.
“Are you being nice?” I snap.
“Contrary to popular belief, I am capable of being a nice guy.” I make a sound that’s definitely not nice, tugging my hem down. “Why do you keep doing that?” he asks, leaning in closer—his voice a purr.
“Doing what?”
“Pulling your dress down. Like you’re embarrassed.”
His words roll through me, and I feel my cheeks warm. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“Words and actions are two very different things,” he mutters, leaning away and looking out the window.
We pull up to our hotel a few awkward moments later, and I decide to stay downstairs and have another drink. Anderson, Luca, and Nathan venture upstairs to their rooms. It’s still fairly early, and I have the urge to read my book and drink something tropical. I find a cozy booth in the back of the open bar, order a Piña Colada, and open my Kindle app. I don’t notice the someone sit down next to me until a woman clears her throat. I jump—too engrossed in writhing bodies and sweet dialogue. When I look up, I realize it’s the woman from earlier tonight.
I stand and shake her hand. “Hi. Corinne, right?” I ask, hoping I’m right.
She smiles, sitting down with her glass of red wine. “Correct. I saw you sitting over here and thought I’d say hi. I’m staying here, too. I live an hour north of here and figured I’d treat myself to a night away.”
Her eyes are almond-shaped and snakelike, and her hair, which is shiny and black, hangs perfectly down her back. She’s probably ten years older than I am, but looks younger somehow.
I glance down at my drink and swallow. I toy with the idea of texting Luca that she’s here, but decide against it. I can stand on my own two feet.
“Luca is your brother, right?” she asks casually. There is a bite to her words that I can’t quite decipher.
“Yep. We’re twins.”
She nods. “Listen, I’m not exactly here to chitchat about manicures or shopping. Is your brother bullshitting me?”
I feel my mouth pop open. “I—what do you mean?”
She narrows her eyes. “Oh, come on. Woman to woman—I need to know if he’s going to partner with us or not. It’s a man’s world out there, and I’m used to being the only woman, don’t get me wrong. I’m competing with hundreds of old, shriveled up dicks, no pun intended. Our group is large, and we can bring a lot to Gather’s table. I don’t want any bullshit. I refuse to be strung along.”
Her tone surprises me, but I shrug it off. “I honestly can’t say—not that I’m not allowed to, but because Luca can be indecisive.”
She nods, barely moving her head. Every movement seems to be calculated somehow. “I see. Indecisive is never good, am I right?”
Shit.
“I know he’s interested, but I don’t know what decision he’s going to come to. He’s the CEO, not me. He makes the decisions.”
She nods again and stands. “I think I have my answer. I need to trust my gut more often. Thanks, Natalia.” She walks away before I can say anything else.
Fuck.
Did I screw up a deal for Gather? I don’t know how to negotiate or play the game. This is another fine example of how I manage to fuck things up. I pay for my drink and decide to slip back to my hotel room, lest any more business prospects harass me. At least there, I can read in peace.
