Brazen Bachelor

“Fine,” she sighs. “But keep it quiet, just for the first week or so. I just need to know if this is serious. If it is, we can renegotiate the terms with them.”

Nodding, I smile. “Thanks, Blythe.”

She doesn’t say anything, and I know she’s worried, but I believe she has no reason to be. This is where I’m meant to be, and Violet is who I’m meant to be taking this journey with. Even if it’s for a week or two. I know she’s someone I can connect with.

Now all I have to do is convince Violet of that.

10

Violet

It’s been twenty-four hours since the interview. After Colton left, he told me, no, he promised me he’d make me see he’s not who I thought he was, yes, he’s cocky and brazen, but I’m not sure how he’s going to change my mind on anything else. I’m definitely looking forward to him trying.

I open my browser and type in Ida’s website. When it opens, I click on the submissions and scroll through the letters posted this morning. I decide to ask her for advice.

Dear Ida,

I have a conundrum. There’s a guy … Doesn’t it always start like that? Anyway, he’s someone who has a reputation that precedes him, and not in a good way. I mean, yes, he’s lovely to look at, and I suppose that’s why he is so popular with the ladies. However, he’s now got his sights set on me, and I’m unsure how to proceed.

I like him, I admit I do. But, I’m afraid of getting hurt. My heart can’t take another heartbreak, and he’s far too perfect for me. I’m not his type I don’t think. No, actually, I know I’m not.

I don’t understand why he’s so enamored with me, but he promised me he was going to prove he’s nothing like his public persona.

My question then is—do I give him a chance?

Or do I run for the hills?

Frustrated in Manhattan

I hit send. As I sit back in my chair, the door flings open with a whoosh, and a delivery man strolls in carrying what looks like a dozen yellow roses. They’re absolutely beautiful, and I wonder briefly who Clarissa has been dating. She never mentioned anyone to me, and there’s nothing on her calendar that states otherwise.

Unless she has a secret admirer.

“Miss …” The man looks down at his delivery list, then smiles. “Miss Kennedy,” he says.

My mouth falls open in shock.

“Yes, um, that’s me,” I acknowledge.

He nods and smiles, handing me the clipboard to sign. Once I’ve handed it back to him, he hands me the bouquet and leaves. There’s a small card attached. Pulling it out, I open the envelope to find the note from Colton.

Colton: I’m not as bad as you think. Give me a chance.

I don’t know what to say or do with this, but I flop into my chair and grab the cell phone on my desk. I scroll through the contacts to find Colton’s number I added yesterday.

Should I call? Or should I text?

I opt for a text message because I have to be honest with myself—I’m nervous. I feel like a teenage girl who’s just gotten a gift from the quarterback in high school.

Violet: Roses. Classy and beautiful. Thank you.

I hit send before I have time to rethink the message. I take the bouquet to the small kitchen attached to Clarissa’s office and find the vase we normally use to put flowers in for board meetings. Filling it with water, I place the roses into the crystal holder and take it back to my space to set on the side of my desk.

They’re lovely. I catch myself smiling before I shake it off and focus on my laptop. As much as I try to work, I can’t because I keep checking my phone. This was the reason I wanted to stay single. I didn’t want the anticipation of 'is he going to call?' hanging over me all the time.

Opening my email, I find a few from Clarissa needing my immediate attention, and instead of looking at my iPhone screen, I flip it over and open the first mail.

I allow my mind to drift to the phone again but force myself back to the computer. The words blur, and I know my focus isn’t staying on the work I need to finish.

My email pings again, and I see a response from Ida. My heart races when I click on it to see what advice she has for me.

Dear Frustrated in Manhattan,

It seems you have quite a conundrum. What I would normally recommend is to run in the opposite direction since he does sound like trouble, but then again, I’m intrigued to hear how he’s going to prove himself to you. Most men are too afraid to step outside the norm to do that, so I would tell you to let him grovel before giving it up. You know what I mean …?