“Funny that. You didn’t say that two weeks ago when you made me stay at that gay club until four in the morning.”
Eric lets out a loose laugh. “Sweetie, never underestimate how selfish I can be when naked men are dancing near me.”
Kissing both his cheeks, I remind him about my photoshoot at The Plaza tomorrow. As I walk toward the exit, I stop at the elevator, press the button, and check my phone while waiting.
“Leaving already?”
I lift my head, pursing my lips only to half-smile. “Yes, I am. Congratulations again on your opening.”
“So, that’s it?” Lochie juts his chin, raising his brows with a smug glance. “You’re just leaving?”
“It’s late, and I’m tired… ” I admit, then continue, “… besides, I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate you spending time with other women.”
“Girlfriend?” he questions, followed by a laugh. “I think you mean my sister if you’re wondering who that woman was with her arms around me.”
“Oh,” I mouth, annoyed I even mentioned it.
Lochie moves in closer and motions for me to hand him my phone. I’m not sure why I pass it over to a complete stranger, watching him text something quickly. But, instead, he hands it back over with a mischievous grin.
“It was nice meeting you, Ava.”
He grazes his finger down my arm, causing me to break out in goosebumps. With a deep gaze, his eyes drink me in, leaving me breathless. Slowly, he pulls away and walks back to the party.
Releasing the breath I’m holding in, I am taken aback by the sheer force of his touch. Maybe I am wrong, being single is a stupid idea. Why should I deprive myself of a sexy man?
And then, the elevator doors ping open. I enter, still flustered from his touch, then remember he wrote something in my phone. Quickly, I scroll to my messages, where he sent a text message to a number that I assume is his.
You’re gorgeous, Ava. Stunning, actually. Call me sometime…I promise I don’t bite.
Unless, of course, you want me to.
Lochie
The corners of my mouth turn up as I reread his text. My fingers type profusely, but then I erase my response, trying to keep it simple and not come across like some needy chick.
Me: Cocky Aussie, but you do have a way with words. I’ll call you tomorrow xx
And with a rush of excitement, something I haven’t felt in a while, I exit the elevator and leave the building to hail a cab.
Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
Six
Ava
My phone lays on the plush white carpeted floor while I sit cross-legged in my closet, listening to my sister ramble on about work. It’s not unusual for me to be on the receiving end of these conversations since we speak almost every day.
“I mean, these men are pigs,” Amelia proclaims, her tone heightened with frustration. “You cheat on your wife for someone half your age and then demand your kids call her mom?”
“Men are pigs,” I concur, struggling to move from the spot I find myself in. “But this is your job, right? You’ve got t
o fight for justice.”
“Geez, Ava. I’m not wonder woman.”
“You do have that costume, though.” I chuckle while eyeing a pair of hot pink pumps in my closet, which Olivier once said made me look like a drag queen. Clearly, he’d been around them enough to know. I pull them off the shelf with the intent to wear them sometime this week. “I’m sure your husband enjoys the role-playing.”
“Will is away for work. It’s been two days. Meanwhile, I’m like some horny teenage boy. You know that part of your cycle when all you can think about is sex?”