Beauty and the Gentleman

“You wouldn’t date him?” Morgan and Step look at Whitney as though she is totally out of her mind for not jumping at the chance to date Knox.

“It’s a long story, but the man is mine. I couldn’t break up with him if I wanted to,” Whitney says with a giant smile on her face.

I dart back to my bedroom when I hear my phone go off. I see a text from Ace.

Ace: I’ll swing by to pick you up when I leave. It will probably be late. I don’t want you walking in the dark to my place.

Well, there goes my naked idea. Guess I’ll have to come up with some other plan to get my man in bed.

Me: Okay.

Ace: See you later, love. Don’t forget to eat.

I smile. His sweet words only make me miss him more. I head back out into the kitchen, where Whitney is making buttered noodles for us all to have. It’s one of my favorites, but I can never seem to make it the way she does. It’s the simplest meal, but I swear she adds something special to it and that’s why hers taste so much better than when I try to make it.

“You girls want to come to the Delta Psi party tonight?” Step asks, popping a grape into her mouth.

“Might be fun to see a college party,” Whitney says. Not like I have anything else really to do. We can pop in and out. I’m a bit curious too. Whitney and I always had fun at the parties back in high school. We both enjoy dancing.

“I’ll need to change.” I glance down at my yoga pants and baggy shirt that belongs to Ace. “And I should call Ace and give him a heads-up. I’m spending the night with him tonight.”

“Same. I’ll need to call Knox,” Whitney says, draining the noodles.

I dial Ace’s number, wanting to hear his voice. I have a feeling he’s not going to want me to go to the party. I don’t think we ever went to one without each other. Before Whitney came along, Ace was my best friend. We did everything together. We still do, but it’s nice to have a girl who understands you more at times.

The phone rings and rings before eventually going to his voicemail. I try again, this time switching it over to facetime so I can see him. Ace looks damn sexy when he wears a suit. The line finally connects.

A pretty brunette’s face comes on the screen. She’s got eyelashes most girls would kill for. “Mr. King’s phone. How may I help you?”

“Where is Ace?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. King is busy at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?” I try not to get snippy with the girl, but my jealousy seems to be rearing its head.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Tiffany. Mr. King’s assistant. Who are you?” she asks.

“Faith,” I respond. Her face shows no reaction, like she’s never heard my name before.

“Would you like to leave a message for Mr. King?” She smirks. I swear if I could reach through this phone, I’d wipe that look off her face myself.

“Tell him his girlfriend called,” I say before ending the call super annoyed. Why the hell is someone answering his cell phone? I get someone answering his office phone but not his freaking personal phone. That shit is private.

I shoot Ace a text before I change my clothes and pull my hair down from the ponytail. I give it a small fluff before adding some lip gloss and mascara.

“What are you wearing?” Whitney asks, walking into our bedroom.

“I was thinking jean shorts with flats. I can’t go to a party in a dress and heels like Step and Morgan. Especially if I’m not sure what kind of party this is going to be.”

“Good point.” We finish getting ready and are out the door thirty minutes later.

I know Ace is going to be annoyed that I went to a party without talking to him first, but that’s his fault. Still, he’ll be pissed. Wonder what he’ll do about it? My body starts to heat as I think of all the different scenarios. The ones I often fantasize about him doing.

I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.

4

Ace

“I think we should hire him.” I flip the folder over for Roman to see. He picks it up, reading it over.

“He’s young” is the first thing he says. He is.

“He’s not only brilliant, he's a fresh mind. No one has molded him or put their own ideas into his head.”

“If you think we should, then do it.” He hands me the folder back before checking his watch. I glance around. I must have left my phone in my office. “Let’s call it a night,” Roman says before I can excuse myself to go get my phone.