Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“You’d be amazed what time away from you did for me. I’ve done some reflecting and the fact is, the life we shared isn’t the life I want to live.” Spending time with a sexy, confident, attentive man like Dex had pointed out all that was missing in their relationship.
Jeremy’s lips pulled in a firm line. That was his tell. She was aggravating him. Good, she mused, unable to control her smile. It was time the tables turned.
“You’re just hurt and upset,” he said, clearly gearing up to try and sway her again. “But I’ll convince you we’re meant to be.”
Ignoring that piece of stupidity, she focused on what was important. “We’re partners in the business, so I want to set some ground rules for work.”
His gaze narrowed. “Go on.”
“I want Marley gone.” Not only couldn’t she look at the other woman but she didn’t trust her with any Dare and Rollins business. Not even as Jeremy’s assistant. Besides, taking away his toy would give Samantha immense pleasure.
“Done,” he said immediately. “I told you I want us to work and I’ll do whatever I have to, to make that happen. Just tell me what else I can do.”
That was the easiest question yet. “Get out of my apartment.”
He flinched as if she’d slapped him. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.” She straightened her shoulders. “We’re over and I’m going to make sure you understand that.” She turned toward the door and paused. “Do your best to stay out of my way at work, too. I don’t want to see you any more than necessary.”
Without waiting for an answer, she let herself out of the room, only to find Brandy waiting for her a few steps away from Marley’s desk. The other woman had disappeared.
“Did you scare off the witch?” Samantha asked, as they walked back to her office.
Brandy let out an evil laugh. “I glared until she mumbled something about a coffee break and scurried away like the mouse she is. How’d it go?”
Samantha waited until they were back in her private office with the door closed. “He groveled and I made myself clear. It’s over between us and Marley is gone.”
“He agreed to that?” Brandy asked, sounding surprised.
Samantha walked around to her desk and began to gather her purse, laptop, and a few other things. “He actually thinks he can win me back, the delusional asshole.” Drawing deep breaths into her lungs, she waited until she calmed down and as her heart rate slowed, her anger grew. “I hate him for what he did to me.”
“He’s not worth the expended energy,” Brandy said in a soothing voice.
“Maybe not but I’m not finished fixing my life.” She reached for her phone inside her bag, pulled up Ian’s contact details, and dialed her brother’s number. “Ian? Can you meet me at my apartment?”
“Whatever you need,” her brother said.
“Thank you. I’m leaving the office now.” She disconnected the call and glanced at her friend.
Brandy grinned. “Go home, talk to Ian. You two work out a plan to kick Jeremy’s ass. Just make sure I have a front-row seat when you do.”
Samantha laughed. “You’re a good friend.”
“The best,” Brandy agreed. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll handle things here.”
Samantha gave her friend a grateful hug, picked up her bag, and walked out of her office, plan in mind. She was Samantha Dare and her slimeball ex-fiancé would not get the better of her. No way, no how.
* * *
Dex sat on a barstool at The Back Door. He’d arrived around noon and talked to Remy until he’d been called into the kitchen. It was twelve-thirty and he was now on his second beer. This one he planned to nurse until he’d figured out what the fuck to do about the woman he couldn’t get out of his head.
“Hello, big brother.” Fallon slid into the stool next to him, taking him by surprise.
“Shouldn’t you be at the gallery?” he asked.
She nodded. “But rumor has it you need a female perspective on life, so I’m here to give it to you.”
“Remy,” he muttered. “That’s what I get for spilling my guts.” Something he was not used to doing, but apparently when Samantha burrowed her way in, she was impossible to get out and he’d needed advice. Remy told him to go for it, which wasn’t much help analyzing, something he liked to do.
She laughed, then placed her elbow on the bar and her chin in her hand. “No, that’s what you get for having siblings. So, you can’t stop thinking about Samantha.”
“I’m worried about her.” He told himself thinking about her nonstop and being worried about her well-being was a whole different animal. “She has to face her bastard fiancé for the first time and I’m just concerned.”
“So much so that you’re here, sulking over a woman you can’t stop thinking about.”