Bad Boy Rich

“Oh, okay, wow. That’s, um, confusing, and awkward to be around him?” I raise my brows, curious to her response.

“Yes and no. I’m not awkward around him. Julian is mature and such a great guy. It just wasn’t right between us. He loves Lex’s sister. It’s just that Lex had a hard time adjusting. They’re much better now. They don’t exactly hang out alone but can be in the same space and hold a conversation.”

She bumps her shoulder against Emerson, laughing at a private joke. “Unlike this one here. So how much do you know about Wesley?”

Emerson rolls her eyes, falling back onto the towel and throwing the large sunflower hat over her face. “She doesn’t need to know about him. Trust me, you don’t.”

“I’ve met him twice. He’s a little, um…”

“Moronic?” Charlie adds with grievance. “Immature? Still hopelessly in love with Emerson which is why he’s holding onto the business?”

“Twice?” Emerson questions, sitting up. “I thought you only met him once at that meeting?”

Shit.

“I ran into him one day before that. I had no clue who he was. Accident at the coffee house. It kinda didn’t register till after that meeting with him and Jeff.”

“Oh, thank God.” She holds her chest, letting out a sigh of relief. “I thought he was trying to sway you into seeing him. He’s such a manipulator. Though don’t believe anything Charlie says.”

“Um, excuse me,” Charlie interrupts. “Give me one other reason why Wesley would hold onto the business? He has money. That can’t be it.”

“He does it to piss Logan off. He’s competitive. It doesn’t mean he’s still in love with me. He just likes to be a pain in the ass. Anyway, can we change subject please?”

And just like that, we started talking about books.

I was half into the conversation, still thinking about what Charlie said. Maybe Wesley was using me to get to Emerson. It made sense.

The two of them stop talking, both telling me to wake them in ten minutes. Ten minutes later, I hear the both of them snoring. Motherhood looked exhausting and I didn’t dare wake them, giving them some extra time to nap.

I read Wesley’s text again, also thinking about what the media said about him. Mom would have a heart attack if I told her that I was alone with such a man.

I knew I shouldn’t have been entertaining this.

Or even be typing what my fingers so desperately did.

No clue about alligators but now that you’ve informed me, I’ll cross it off my bucket list. So, you’re in Louisiana, I had no idea. I thought you fell off the face of the earth and landed

in Narnia where cell reception didn’t exist.

I hit send faster than you could say idiot. I regretted it instantly, until he responds seconds later and my heart does this nervous beat like an adrenalin rush of some sort.

I’m filming. Still around. Though, I thought you were in Narnia since you didn’t respond from the morning or my text from last week.

So he was waiting for me to respond? This guy was so hot and cold. One minute he is telling me he can’t stay away and the next minute he created this distance without even telling me! I was not going to let him off easy.

6 hours is COMPLETELY different to 5 days.

I hit send, take a large drink from my iced tea bottle that instantly cools me down. My skin felt extremely hot and I knew I shouldn’t be in the sun for much longer. I wondered if Emerson minded if I borrowed her hat…

Remember, you didn’t respond. You sound a little worked up? I’ll be back next Friday.

The nerve of him! I’m typing faster than the speed of light, desperate to relay my wit.

That’s nice. I’m sure your housekeeper would love to know that. I, on the other hand, find that information irrelevant.

The bubble appears on the screen. Longer than it should have. I find myself tapping my knee impatiently. This is the most annoying thing ever.

Don’t start. I’m alone and nothing can come of this. Excuse the pun.