Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“Yes. A guy with a logical answer,” I respond, distracted by the beep of my cell. Opening the message, I see an unknown number sitting on the screen.

Unknown: I’ve got an opening tomorrow afternoon if you’d like to begin working on the marketing plan for Miss Winters. Regards, Morgan Bentley

Morgan. Cute name. It’s a very formal message, and with Charlie and Lex talking in the background, and Kate on her cell, as usual, I think of an appropriate way to respond. Eric is watching me like a hawk. It’s quite bothersome, so I shift m

y glance back to the screen.

Me: I’ll take your opening. Just name the place and time. Sincerely, Noah Mason

After hitting send, I regret it and worry that it came off as unprofessional. I’m glad she finally has an opening. I just wonder if she can read between the lines. I’d love to see her opening. Fuck, you need to let this one go.

Jokes aside, I want to text her back and see if she has an affirmative date for when I’ll meet Scarlett. I decide against it and check my emails instead. There’s an email from Presley. She says that Ms. Bentley has contacted her for a meeting. The same meeting she just invited me to.

I scroll through the email, wondering why she chose to message me rather than include me in the email—odd behavior from the frigid lesbian. Morgan texts back moments later with a place and time. Bored with the uneventful text, I respond with a ‘see you then’ and tuck my cell back into my pocket.

“Okay, this is why it sucks having two males in the house,” Charlie goes on.

I have no idea what they’re talking about, having been engrossed in the boring exchange of conversation with Morgan Bentley.

“So, I was thinking of apartment hunting this week,” I say casually when their conversation dies down to silence.

“Really? Are you sure?” Charlie asks, her expression concerned. “Don’t you think it’s too soon? Plus, there are so many bad neighborhoods in LA. I really think you should hold off.”

“I have a spare room,” Eric offers with a wide-spreading grin. “And a nudity clause. As in free feel to make yourself at home, clothes off.”

Kate snickers, shaking her head while throwing a napkin at Eric.

“C’mon, guys. You know I think you’re awesome, but I don’t want to impose any longer.”

“Impose is far from it,” Lex reassures. “But if you need a pad to let off steam, I feel your pain, brother.”

Charlie pinches Lex’s arm, scolding him once again for encouraging my behavior. “Just hold off for a while. And if you really need a “letting-off-steam” pad…” she air quotes, “… I’m sure Lex can hook you up with a suite downtown.”

“Okay, guys, I’ll hold off for a bit. More time to have tea parties, right?” I joke.

She smiles, putting down the sippy cup in her hand, and wraps her arms around my waist to hug me. “Except the next time we play tea parties, I promise it won’t be air but tequila instead.”

“Now you’re talking,” I laugh. “Desperate for a drink, much?”

Charlie nods her head, rubbing her stomach, which looks like it has gotten bigger overnight.

“You have no idea.” She lets out a huge breath before composing herself. “So, what are you two up to tonight? Or should I brace myself again?”

“Hey!” Eric pouts. “Why wasn’t I invited?”

“You’re a cockblocker,” I tell him with a smirk.

Kate covers her mouth while trying to hold in her laughter, knowing all too well that in the short time I’ve known Eric, it’s way too easy to rile him up for amusement.

“I’m so offended.” Eric places his hand on his chest, glancing toward his left to ignore us. “Plus, annoyed you’re stealing my BFF.”

“You said I was your BFF?” Charlie berates him.

“One drama queen at a time!” Eric yells before leaving the table and exiting the room.

I turn to face Kate, shrugging my shoulders. It’s her last night on the West Coast before she takes the red-eye back to New York.

“I have something planned.” Kate winks, yet I’m wary of her so-called ‘plan’ after our last incident.