I hate that she thinks we’re friends.
“Great,” I answer, lifting Lottie’s hand and placing a kiss on the back of her knuckles, the same hand that bears her engagement ring. Angela’s eyes land on it and she has a very hard time masking her emotions as jealousy rips through her. “Sorry about that PDA, but my girl is stunning in this dress and I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. She made me swear I wouldn’t ruin her hair and makeup. I think I did a good job of that in the car, don’t you?”
Her eyes narrow but then she must realize she has to put on a show, because she straightens up and leans against her man, who is, unfortunately for Angela, checking out another woman.
“Oh, yes, Brad and I had a hard time controlling ourselves in the car as well. The man is horny all the time.”
He doesn’t acknowledge her, but instead bites the corner of his lip as a blonde walks by.
“What happened to Ken?” Lottie asks.
Angela dismissively waves her hand. “He got boring.”
Aka, he broke up with her.
“But Brad and I are just having the best time. Isn’t that right?” She tugs on Brad’s arm.
“I’m going to go to the bathroom,” he says, taking off without another word, following that blonde.
Still putting on a happy face, Angela asks, “So, have you two actually set a date?”
“December tenth,” Lottie says. “We’re going to Tulum and flying our closest friends and family down for a two-week-long wedding celebration.”
“Oh, how exciting.” Angela perks up, clearly missing the mark that she’s not invited. “Should I book my flight now?”
Really, really obtuse.
“No, that’s okay. We’ll be fine getting married without you.”
She frowns. “Lottie, I’m your best friend.”
“Nope, that’s not accurate.” Lottie shakes her head. Her confidence is making me so goddamn horny right now. I hope she doesn’t plan on staying at this reunion very long. “But thank you for thinking so kindly of me.” Lottie smiles. “Oh, and hey, sorry to hear about your top two sponsors pulling out of advertising. That must have been hard.”
Angela’s frown deepens.
“I know how hard it was to keep those accounts happy, as it was always me ensuring they had everything they ever needed. Such a shame, but, hey”—Lottie winks—“at least you’re saving money when it comes to hiring mediocre employees.”
That frown grows even more.
“Did you happen to see Kelsey and I are in business now? We just signed a one-million-dollar contract with Dave Toney. We’re in way over our heads and plan on hiring quite a few hands to help us get the job done. Don’t worry, though, we’ll keep the mediocre employees at your disposal. We only want the best so we pay them what they deserve. Anyway”—Lottie reaches up and presses a kiss to my cheek—“I’m kind of over this. Want to go grab a burger?”
I smirk. “Care to fly to Portland? I’m craving Killer Burger.”
“I couldn’t think of anything more perfect.” Lottie turns to Angela. “So not nice to see you again. Take care, Angela.”
And with that, hand in hand, we walk out of the hotel and straight to where my car is waiting. I call up my pilot and tell him to meet us at the airport. My girl wants a burger, she’s going to get one.
As we drive through the city, I think about how lucky I am.
I had been so wrong in so many ways. In suggesting a flagrant deception was the way to get a business deal. To think that Dave, who I’d always known to be a stand-up guy, hadn’t believed in Cane Enterprises all along. To believe that this gorgeous woman in my arms was capable of the sort of betrayal I’d suggested. Ridiculous. I’m fucking lucky. I’ve had to eat humble pie, and I won’t ever take her for granted again. Nor will I fabricate a story to get a deal.
Lottie leans in to my embrace and gently lifts her lips to my jaw. “I love you, Huxley.”
“I love you, too, babe. I’m proud of you. Really fucking proud.”
“I wasn’t too bitchy?”
“You were incredibly bitchy, but I loved it.”
She chuckles. “That last jab was maybe uncalled for, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“Do you have closure?”
She nods. “Very much so. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, babe. You did this all on your own.”
“You mean snag a rich husband by haphazardly getting lost in The Flats?”