The Roommate Equation

“Mr. Banks.” My secretary’s voice booms through the speaker on my desk. “I have Max Carter on the phone for you.”

What does that asshole want? Sloan is barely speaking to me because of what Max said to him last night at the strip club. He made promises to Sloan that he can’t keep, all to undermine my relationship with my business partner. I hate this guy. He’s a rich asshole who has never heard the word no, and now he’s hellbent on getting me on board.

I finish typing the last sentence of my email and then say, “Put him through.”

I hit send and shove the keyboard in front of the monitor as the phone rings on my end.

“Max,” I say with forced enthusiasm. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

“We got off on the wrong foot, don’t you think?”

“No, we got off fine.”

He snickers. “What’s it going to take to close the deal?”

“Remove the clause about my algorithm.”

“Look, I get that you’re trying to protect your IP, but it’s an algorithm.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t be pushing this hard to get your hands on it.”

“I didn’t want to do this,” Max says with an attitude. “But do you want Sloan to know you’re fucking his sister?”

My chest feels like it’s going to collapse. I sink back in my chair and consider my next response carefully. How the hell does he know about Ash and me? He couldn’t have possibly seen us at the club dancing… and kissing. We were on the other side of the room from them, out of sight.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say after a long pause. “Ash is like a sister to me.”

“Make the deal,” Max says. “It’s good for all of us. And it will be good for your friendship with Sloan.”

“Don’t fucking threaten me, asshole. I’m not fucking Sloan’s sister.”

Is that all I’m doing with Ash? When I asked her what we’re doing, she didn’t seem to want more than sex. Ash doesn’t even know what she wants, so where does that leave me?

Is this a fling? What will happen when she’s back in her apartment in Studio City? There are too many unknowns when it comes to Ash. And I don’t like having unknown variables in my life.

“You have until Monday,” Max says. “Is your algorithm worth more than your friendship with Sloan?”

Of course not.

“You have it all wrong,” I say. “I’m not with Ash.”

“I have proof,” he spits back.

How is that possible?

“This deal is good for all of us,” he says. “I’ll expect your answer by Monday.”

Before I can answer, the line goes dead.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ash

I step a foot inside Vinnie’s office and then back out. My palms are slick with sweat, my shirt suddenly too tight as I hover in front of his door. He’s on the phone. A few curses and nasty comments fly out of his mouth.

I should walk away.

I can come back later.

Do it, chicken shit.

I take another apprehensive step, my heart slamming into my chest with each shallow breath I take. When was the last time I was this nervous? Even when I audition for a part, I can keep my shit together.

“Stop tap dancing in front of my door,” Vinnie says as he slams the phone down. “Either get in or get out, Ash.”

Dammit, I didn’t think he saw me.

“Do you have a minute?” I ask as I walk into his office with my head held high.

He leans back in his chair and shrugs. “What’s up?”

“Something happened last night.”

He cocks his head at me. “Speak. I don’t have all day.”

“Dominic Deville approached me at Bella’s Cabaret. He gave me his card.”

Vinnie’s eyes widen, and then he raises his hand, ushering me toward his desk. He points his finger at the chair across from him. “What did he say?”

“To call him today. He said I might be a good fit for his next project.”

“That’s great,” he says with genuine happiness. “But let me give you a piece of advice when it comes to Dom.”

I lean forward, digging my elbows into my thighs as I meet his intense gaze.

He kicks his dress shoe up on the edge of his desk and sighs. “He’s a pig. Be careful with him.”

I give him an appreciative smile. “Thanks, I can handle myself. There’s something else…” My throat feels as though it could close up as I attempt to speak. “If Dominic offers me a role, would you represent me?”

Vinnie purses his lips. He drops his foot on the floor and leans forward, pinning me down with one look.

“Let’s see how this meeting with Dom goes first and go from there.” Vinnie hits a button on his phone and then puts it on speaker.

“Dominic Deville’s office, how may I direct your call,” a woman says.

“Mags, this is Vinnie Sax.”

“Good morning, Mr. Sax. One moment while I connect you to Mr. Deville.”