“That sounds like a lot of money,” Jane replied.
“Yeah,” I agreed. I closed my eyes and banged my head on the counter twice before looking over at her. “I called him a selfish pig.”
“Ouch,” Jane winced. “You okay?”
“Am I okay that I called one of the leading cancer philanthropists a selfish pig?” I shrugged and then banged my head again. “I’m an idiot.”
“We’re all idiots in love,” Jane replied softly. My head went straight up, and I looked straight at her.
“What?”
“Oh, not you,” Jane clarified shaking her head. “The expression just popped into my head. I was thinking about selfish pigs. I know you slept with him, but that doesn’t mean love. That’s lust. Apparently, lots of men confuse the two.”
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for her to admit that she was thinking about Charles and how he was a selfish pig for letting her go. She just looked at me and shrugged.
“So what do I do?” I asked her. “I’m in the wrong here.”
Jane thought for a moment. “Do you plan on spending time with him?” she asked. “Do you want to sleep with him again?”
“God, no,” I answered a little too quickly. My body did, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen. This time, Jane raised her eyebrows at me. “I mean, it was good, but, I don’t like him or anything. Lust, remember?”
“Then just stay out of his way,” Jane advised. “If you do see him, apologize then. But, you two don’t exactly run in the same social circles, so I don’t see that happening.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, staring into my ice cream. “I’m beneath him.”
“Hey, I didn’t say that,” Jane replied firmly. “Money isn’t everything.”
“You should tell him that,” I told her. I took a bite of ice cream.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jane asked. “You seem really upset over this, especially if he doesn’t mean anything to you.”
“He doesn’t,” I assured her. I hated that my stomach twisted as I said it. “Why would I? He’s a spoiled, arrogant little rich boy.”
“You forgot hoity-toity and Richy McRich pants,” Jane replied dryly. “I think those are the words you used last time.”
“And British,” I added. “He’s so British.”
Jane chuckled and stood up to hug me. She smelled like oven cleaner. “You’ll be fine.”
“You’re right,” I told her after she squeezed me. “I’m not likely to run into him again, so it’s not something I need to worry about.”
Jane nodded, then paused. “What about the Christmas party?”
“The hospital one?” I asked. I shrugged. “He won’t be there. It’s the wrong hospital.”
“You’re right,” Jane agreed. “He wouldn’t go unless he likes to torture himself.” She thought about it for a moment. “He’s not that kind of billionaire, is he?”
We both dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Chapter 16
“He won’t be here, he won’t be here, he won’t be here,” I chanted softly as the taxi drove me to the hotel. If I said it enough times, then I knew it would have to come true.
I knew I was right. He was part of a different hospital. There was no reason for him to be here. Still, there was a worry in the pit of my stomach.
I looked out the window to see a beautiful old brick building come into sight. I could see why he’d picked this hotel.
The annual holiday hospital party was being held at one of the fancy hotels on the other side of the park from me. It was close, but I would have to take a cab or walk across the park at night. That wasn’t really a problem until I found out that Mr. Darcy was known for staying in the penthouse suite of this particular hotel. It was his preferred location when in New York. Because that was how my life worked.