“Uh-huh.” I motion for her to scurry on, and the second she leaves the kitchen, I let out a bothersome huff then yell back at her, “And don’t you dare give the girls sugar that night.”
***
All day, I can’t stop thinking about tonight. Part of me wants to make up some excuse because I just can’t be bothered with her. And the other part of me—sadistic Noah—wants to meet with her, so I can push her buttons and irritate her just like she does to me.
I bury myself in work for most of the day, and when there’s an hour left, I get a text from her.
Morgan: I’m sorry, Mr. Mason, I won’t be able to meet tonight. I will organize another time to complete this. Regards, Morgan Bentley
What the fuck! I reread the message, making sure my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me. She bailed on me. I’ve been reading the wrong signs, and why I care I still have no idea. Fuck! Just as I’m about to send a text back, Karina, one of the girls in finance taps on my door.
“Hey, Noah.” She smiles.
Karina has been tailing me since day one. Cute, but young. Younger than I usually would entertain. Fresh out of college, young.
“Oh, hey Karina,” I respond with a forced smile.
“You look annoyed,” she points out, motioning for the cell that sits in my hand.
“Just an unprofessional client.”
“I know what you mean. Today, I spent an hour on the phone arguing about an invoice. The person on the other line had the audacity to tell me to go back to high school.”
Ouch. Like I said, she is young.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I ask, tired and desperate to get out of here. Maybe Lex will be up for a drink tonight. I need male bonding time more than anything.
“Oh yeah, duh.” She laughs, walking further into my office. “A bunch of us are heading to Melrose for a drink. Just wanted to see if you’re free to come hang with us?”
I could fuck her. I mean, she’s easy. Wearing that low-cut top and jiggling around with her tits bouncing everywhere. But much like my almost-dirty text to Zoey, this would be a way to vent my frustrations with Morgan. Buried in some other woman’s pussy.
“How about I meet you guys down there?” I suggest.
“Sounds like a plan,” she cheers. “Okay, so see you there, Noah?” She stumbles awkwardly out of the room, leaving me alone. I’m still annoyed as to why Morgan would flake on our meeting, and the more I think about it, the more riled I become. I take out my cell and dial Kate’s number.
“Hey, what’s up, my Californian homie?” she answers, way too cheerful.
“Would it be wrong to go to drinks and screw a twenty-two-year-old?”
“That depends. How did you meet her?”
“At work,” I reply.
“Uh… hell to the no. Remember what Charlie said… don’t shit where you eat.”
“You’re no fun,” I complain. “And when Charlie said that, she was referring to you.”
“Why the sudden urge to get your pants off? Besides, what’s happening with Scarlett?”
“Absolutely nothing. I still haven’t met her,” I respond, defeated.
“Why? I’ve already bought a dress to wear to your wedding. It’s low-cut with just the right amount of cleavage to attract the single men, but not so much that I outdo the bride and get called a slut.”
I laugh through the receiver. “She’s out of town, but her assistant—”
“Uh-oh,” Kate interrupts. “Why do I sense something brewing on the horizon?”
“Nothing’s brewing,” I shut her down immediately. “It’s so far from brewing that the seeds haven’t even been planted yet to be even considered brewing material.”