Never Say Never (The Ladies Who Brunch 1)

“Thank you.”

“I love this building.”

“So do I. I just moved here last year, actually, after my promotion.” Reaching for my purse, I spin around just in time to see Damien’s eyes glued on my ass. “Excuse me?”

“What?” He tries not to look guilty but fails miserably.

“I saw that.”

“Saw what?”

“You were staring at my ass.”

“Okay…”

“Well…that’s just…”

“It’s not like I was touching it. Remember, that’s against the rules.”

“So staring at it is okay?”

He shrugs. “You have a nice ass, Charlotte. Sue me for appreciating it.”

I stand there, ruffled by his nonchalance, but part of me is reeling with the knowledge that he was checking me out. Or, perhaps, he’s just a man and that’s how his brain works. Believe me, it wouldn’t be the first time I caught a man staring at my backside. I have a lot going on back there. I can’t help that. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay for a man to blatantly eye-fuck you or make vulgar comments about your body. I bet men don’t have to deal with that kind of treatment nearly as often as women do.

And I’m not saying there aren’t women catcalling men and making comments about their bodies, but I also feel like there’s a societal double standard that men can openly do that and we aren’t supposed to take offense to it.

“I think we should leave,” I say, not wanting to get in a fight before we have to pretend to like each other.

“Yeah, we need to get going if we’re going to be on time.”

Stepping around him, I wait for him to exit my apartment and then walk side by side with him to the elevator. The ride down is quiet until we exit the lobby of my building and he finally speaks.

“This way. I’m parked down a side street.”

“I’m surprised you found a spot at all at this hour.”

“Me too.”

When we arrive at Damien’s car, he unlocks the door and opens it for me. At least he has some manners. “Thank you.” I watch him round the hood of the car to his door and get situated inside before we take off down the road. “Okay, so what am I getting into tonight?”

Damien casually grips the steering wheel with one hand, resting the other on the stick shift as he makes his way to the freeway. “In all honesty, I’m not so sure. This is the first time I’ve ever been invited to one of these things.”

“That’s right. Do you know who will be there then?”

“So, Dave obviously and his wife, Erin. The CFO of the company Hank Thompson and his wife, Deidra. I’m guessing the other members of the board, which there are too many to name at this moment. Then, maybe a few of the other creative marketing managers that are working on this account.”

I nod in understanding. “Well, here’s to hoping we can pull this off.”

“Here’s hoping.” Damien holds up two crossed fingers, and then we both get quiet, staying that way for the rest of the drive.

As we drive through the hills of Los Angeles, I think back to the last time I went out with a man and not the girls. I obviously don’t consider this night out with Damien a date per se, but it’s the closest thing I’ve had to one in months, so I’m going to make the best of it.

“We’re here,” Damien announces, pulling into a circle driveway of a two-story house that must be worth three to five a million dollars.

“So this is how the other half lives?”

Damien chuckles. “I guess so.”

After Damien parks the car, he walks around to open my door for me. “Thank you.”

“Have to treat my woman right.” He winks, but his claim to me, even as a joke, has a spark of something igniting in my body. And that definitely shouldn’t be happening.

“Is it okay to hold your hand?” he asks as we walk up the five small steps leading to the front door. The front porch is decorated with potted flowers, a welcome mat, and a small pineapple statue situated in the corner by the door. Huh. That’s an interesting piece of décor.

But I focus back on Damien. “Why are you asking?”

Turning to face me when we come to the top step, he shrugs but smiles. “You didn’t outline that in the rules last night.”

“Oh. Well, I guess that’s not horrible.” I watch as Damien reaches out and takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers before twisting to ring the doorbell. And now my heart is lodged so deeply in my throat, I feel like I can’t breathe.

The move is so simple, something every couple does at some point, but the reality that Damien is holding my hand makes my mind and body start to unravel. Funny how such an innocent move is making me think not so innocent thoughts.

But there’s only a few seconds for me to gain my footing before a man I recognize from Damien’s office earlier this week answers the door. “Damien. Charlotte. I’m glad you found the place.”

“We did. Thanks for inviting us, Dave.” Damien reaches out to shake his hand, and then guides me behind him through the door.

“I’m happy to have you here, Damien. This is such a surprising turn of events, but I’m glad that we can welcome you to the other side of the office.”

“And what side would that be?”

Dave chuckles. “The side where the women are always right.”

My giggle comes out louder than I intend, but I follow Damien’s lead behind Dave into a large open concept kitchen and living room where several couples are already mingling.

“Everyone, this is Damien and Charlotte!” Dave announces. “Damien has recently entered a committed relationship, so this is their first time here.”

“Welcome!” A few cheery hellos ring out, but my eyes are flitting across the room trying to identify the owners.

“Can I get you two something to drink?” A short blonde with perfectly curled hair and equally perfect makeup comes up to us. “I’m Erin, Dave’s wife, by the way. We have wine, beer, whiskey, vodka…”

“I’ll have a glass of white wine, please.”