“I have some mail for you.” She walked in, clutching a royal blue envelope. Its shape and size were untraditional to a regular piece of mail, not to mention the color. “It’s from your sister,” she offered unnecessarily.
“Thanks.” I plucked the decorated envelope from her hand and set it down, showing little interest in the contents when, in fact, a nervous twitch started in my fingers. “Before you go, I need you to fax these papers and then call to make eight o’clock reservations with Amifika’s.”
“Oooh, fancy. Date tonight?”
“Something like that.” I shot her pointed look and then watched her scurry away on her small gray pumps. I didn’t want to be a complete dick, but I was still warming up to her and feeling her out. Her married status ensured that I would keep from bending her over my desk, but it didn’t mean she had such reservations.
My dinner tonight was to ensure my father’s final approval and, hopefully, get him off my back once and for all. This business deal would be one that would affect the rest of my life, and it wasn’t entirely voluntary.
I could hardly wait.
*
“Mr. Chambers. Always a pleasure to have you. Your table for two is ready and your guest is already seated.” Mindlessly, I followed the ma?tre d’ through the restaurant to the secluded table where she sat perusing the wine menu, no doubt seeking out the most expensive bottle.
I don’t have an issue with spending money.
I have an issue with people who don’t respect it.
Not everything worth time came with a high price. In fact, it was the other way around. However, the expensive brunette waiting would never understand. She lived her life as a socialite, living off of daddy’s money until the day she’d become some other schmuck’s burden.
I was about to become that schmuck.
“Dash!” she greeted a little too exuberantly. She crooked her finger as if she really had the power to beckon me. I blatantly lowered myself to my chair, leaving her shocked and appearing more than a little played.
“How are you, Rosalyn?” I didn’t care either way. My tone made it obvious, but of course, she chose to ignore it for appearances.
“I’m fine now that you are here. I knew you’d come to your senses.”
“Don’t push me. Since you know why we are here, then I can skip the formalities, yeah? Something tells me you don’t care much for it either.”
“I’m not sure what kind of girl you take me for,” she pouted, “but I am a girl, and I’m afraid that means I am a bit of a romantic, too.” She batted her eyelashes, and I fought the urge not to roll my eyes.
“For fuck sake, I’m not getting on one knee. You and I both know you’ll accept regardless because you have as little choice as I do.”
“That’s not true. I want this, Dash, and I know you want me.” Her eyes shone with confidence, and the only thing missing from her statement was ‘How could I not?’
“You act so sure of yourself, but in reality, you’ve got to be pretty insecure to not only go through with this but to be happy about it.”
“How so?” I didn’t miss the bite in her tone.
“You’re settling for a marriage that was primarily arranged. A part of you must be afraid that you wouldn’t find someone to marry you otherwise. It’s just another way you can use Daddy’s money.”
Our waiter chose that moment to take our orders, and just as I initially thought, Rosalyn ordered the most expensive bottle of wine. I knew she wasn’t familiar with it given the idiotic way she pronounced the name.