"Too controlling?" He lifted his eyebrow at me.
"Fuck you." I smiled and slumped down in my chair. "Why didn't you just send Raymond to Miami? My whole world feels shaky right now, and I hate it."
"Love always makes that happen, even to the strongest men we know." He chuckled. "Look at the résumés and call the girl when you get back to your hotel. Tell her how you feel about the job stuff, and if she's interested in talking with me about a job, I'll interview her. But only for you, buddy."
"Alright. Deal." I sat up and pulled the résumés over, scanning through the first two and quickly discarding them. The third was only a synopsis write-up of one of the restaurants at La Mage. "The steakhouse."
"It's a great write-up. Got me harder than Bethany has in months. Read it, but be warned." He chuckled as I glanced up.
"Whatever." I pulled the paper up to block my view of him and read through it as my body warmed at first, but quickly grew into a raging fire. The words were beautifully chosen, the flow exquisite, and the underlying sensuality intense. "Wow."
I put the paper down and reached for my glass as he belly-laughed. "See? I told you. I want her in my bed. Hopefully I can talk Beth into sharing."
"I want her in my bed, and I was completely sold out on never getting near another woman if Vivian said yes." I pushed the paper across the table. "I'm not working with that woman. I want to start a new life with my girl. This chick that wrote this is on the prowl. No thanks."
"Vivian? That's her name." He shuffled the papers in front of me. "Where's the résumé?"
"It's not in this pile. Are you saying that my Vivian applied?" Excitement danced deep inside of me. If Vivian had applied on her own, then my problem was solved.
"I don't know if she's your Vivian, but if she is, you better hold on tight. This woman is unique." He bent over and dug through his bag before pulling out a crinkled up piece of paper and clearing his throat. "Vivian Hall."
I snatched the paper and read over the information as a smile drew my lips up. "This is her. This is my Vivian, Jon."
"Then happy day. I'd give her a job off that write-up alone. I've never been so affected by someone's critique. Every restaurant in the world will be hammering down our door for her to visit. Get her on the hook now. I want her."
I picked up my wine with a shaky hand as everything started to fall into place around me. "You call her. Make this about her applying and her accepting. Leave me out of it for now. I'll tell her the truth after the dust settles. I want it to be all about her forging a path into her future."
He chuckled. "Incredible how fate works some times. You said you bumped into this woman in the airport?"
"Technically, she bumped into me, but yes." I brushed my fingers across her name on the résumé and took a shaky breath. She would get the job, and I would have her beside me everywhere I went. It was the future I wanted. Now to make sure she did too.
Chapter 30
Two Days Later
Vivian
Easton hadn't called all week. By the time Friday rolled around, I was ready to force myself to get over us. If he didn't have the decency to check in with me, then I didn't matter in the way I needed to with him. It was most likely my neediness from having Jackson destroy my future that made me so high-maintenance, but whatever it was, it wasn't going to change.
"You look like hell." Casey walked into the dorm room and lifted a small bag as the smell of cinnamon and sugar moved through the room. "I brought treats."
I glanced up from the desk beside my bed and forced a smile. "I'm good. Just trying to get some studying done. I'm so ready to be out of school. It seems like it's just dragging on and on at this point."
"I understand that all too well." She moved to sit on my bed and pulled at the back of my rolling chair, forcing me to turn and face her. "I've been your friend all my life. This isn't just about school. Did he call today? Did something happen?"
"No. That's the problem, Case. Nothing has happened." I closed my eyes and fought back tears. No damn way I was crying another tear over a man. "My mom was right. Guys are assholes. Jackson cheated on me, and this guy can't even touch base with me for four damn days after spending the night promising me the world."
My tone must have been harsh because Casey flinched twice during my rant. She handed me the bag and gave me a sad smile.
"I wish I had an answer. Eat those cinnamon twists. They'll make you feel better for a few minutes at least." She reached up and brushed my hair behind my shoulder. "I just didn't get a vibe that Easton was an asshole. He honestly seemed like the opposite."
"Oh yeah? How so? I'd love to move from borderline hating him back to remembering why I agreed to dinner last Sunday night." I snatched the bag from her and pulled out a twist, shoving half the thing in my mouth and calming quickly thanks to the sugary goodness of it. I glanced at the clock, realizing that I hadn't eaten in the last ten hours. No wonder I was bordering manic.
"Well, he didn't get upset at the airport when you knocked him over, and then bumped heads with him, which was entirely your fault." She laid back on my bed and propped her feet up. "He took you to a great restaurant our first night in Miami and kicked some robber-dude's ass in the dark alley for you."
"True." I took another bite and nodded, hoping that she would keep going.
"He took care of me when I got hurt and carried me all the way to the clinic, remember? He didn't have to do that, but he did."