by Rayne, Piper
“I’ll think about it.”
She blows out a breath. “Okay. You know I’m being as gentle as I can.”
I giggle. “I do.”
“We could find ourselves some sugar daddies,” she jokes, because neither of us wants this conversation to go downhill.
I play her game. “They’d take us on shopping sprees and fly us on their personal jets.”
“They’d have to be best friends so we could have mansions next to one another. I’ll be the best aunt to your kids—buy them a pony just because I can.”
I smile, a genuine one, while reminiscing about how when we were in college, we insisted we’d live within a stone’s throw of each other because not being in one another’s life every day was too painful to think about. “You’d probably be screwing the pool guy.”
She laughs so hard. “Shit!” The phone drops. A minute later, she picks it back up. “Sorry, I spit out my soda.”
“I’ll let you go.”
“Call me later.”
We hang up and I click on a few rental properties, but I don’t like the idea of Evie staying with people she doesn’t know. But even if I considered it, we still couldn’t afford what we’d want.
Not that I’m even considering it.
“Max?” I call, and she swivels her chair around. “Do you want to do the Hamptons this summer? Evie wants to rent a place. Or do you know anyone who needs another roommate?” At least if Max knows someone, it’d be safer for Evie.
Her wrinkled forehead tells me I don’t have to wait for what comes out of her mouth. “My friends aren’t really into the Hamptons scene.”
I nod because I kind of figured as much. I met Max in my early twenties when she worked at the front desk of the real estate broker’s office. We formed a friendship and when I left to start my own business, she agreed to follow.
“And you can’t go why?”
I blow out a breath and look around the office.
She raises her eyebrows. “Jess and Brent can handle things on the weekends.”
I bury my head in the computer, looking at the beach and the ocean, the peacefulness pouring out of the pictures as though they’re begging me to change my mind. These people are good at selling the Hamptons’ summer experience.
“And you could use a little time away.” Max is leaning on the doorframe now. “You should go with Evie. Best friend bonding time.”
I glance at the clock, wanting out of the pressure of another person telling me what I need. I’ve had enough of that over the past year to last a lifetime.
“Shit. The meet-and-greet thing. Are you coming?” I ask, grabbing my jacket and purse.
“Nah, you’re better with the clients than me anyway.” She sits at her desk.
“Come on. You could use a little fun too.”
“Believe me, I got laid five times last week. I get out plenty. It’s your vag I’m worried about.” Her eyes divert to my lower half.
“Five different men?” I ask, shocked but not judging.
She laughs and covers her mouth. “Could you imagine? I wish, but I do have to say the guy last week was like five different men. I swear he fucked different every day of the week.”
“Do I even want to know?”
She laughs, glancing over her shoulder at Brent, who’s on the phone. “Let’s just say it was a lot like the work week. Monday was slow and lazy, but by the time Friday came around, it was party time.”
Jealousy slaps me hard. What is it like to lock all your insecurities away and trust your partner? Maybe Evie has a point.
“Okay, well, hopefully we can at least get the word out about us.” I take a healthy stack of our business cards from her desk and shove them inside my purse.
“Just have fun. We’re doing pretty well.” She winks and shoos me out the door.
I open our door and step into the hallway just as Carmelo Mancini walks out of his offices. He’s not wearing a suit today. Instead he’s in jeans and a V-neck T-shirt that clings to his strong shoulders and biceps. He’s putting his arms into a light jacket without realizing I’m watching.
He looks up after pushing his other arm into the sleeve, then he graces me with a smile that almost makes me grab the doorknob behind me like a life vest before I crumble to the floor. He’s breathtakingly gorgeous and shouldn’t be able to surprise people like this.
We both step forward, but he holds out his hand. “After you.”
My heart gallops while I walk in front of him down the quiet hallway, but not for the usual reason it does when a man is following me.
Chapter Six
Carm
Since my client had to move our appointment to a different evening, I was going to head to my brother’s office and tag along with him and Annie to the stupid meet-and-greet they set up. Or I should say Annie. No way Enzo had a hand in this. He likes to socialize with others the same way a cat does—on his terms.
But plans change.
The plan now is to find out if Bella Scott is attending the little shindig tonight. I’m happy to follow her while she’s wearing those plaid pants and black high heels. Her matching jacket is just short enough that I can watch her ass move as she struts toward the elevator.
Yeah, yeah, I know I’m being a complete douche, but seriously, no heterosexual male could keep his eyes off the luscious view in front of me.
She stops, swivels, and my eyes don’t have enough time to clip up. By the time I do meet her gaze, she’s staring at me with her head tilted and impatience in her beautiful green eyes. Her ivory blouse dips between her breasts. If she wasn’t my enemy, I’d suggest skipping the duckpin bowling and heading back to my place.
“Mind keeping your eyes up here?” She uses two fingers to point at her eyes.
I swallow, hoping the desire coursing through my body isn’t obvious and abates quickly. “Sorry, I’m human.”
She presses her lips together and shakes her head. The elevator arrives and she steps in, clutching her purse at her side.
“You heading to the meet-and-greet?” I ask.
“Yeah,” she answers, her eyes focused on the numbers above the door.
I’d chance a closer look at her, but she can’t know she has a leg up on me. She’s beautiful and she knows it, and I’m sure she wouldn’t fail to use it against me.
“Sorry to hear you can’t make it.” It’s clear from her tone that she’s the opposite of sorry. She actually sounds pleased.
I tilt my head. She was already informed I wouldn’t be there. Interesting. How did she…
Annie.
I wasn’t going to go—until one client changed our meeting and the other was stolen. This building is small by New York City standards, but my business breeds on connections with people. Hopefully I’ll walk away from tonight with a few leads. “Actually, my plans changed. I’m going now. We can share a cab.”
The elevator doors open, and she sprints out.
“I have to make a pit stop first,” she says over her shoulder, never making direct eye contact with me.
She opens the front door of the building before I have a chance to hold it open for her. I’m not a complete douche. An Italian mama raised me.
“I don’t mind. We’re early. I was going to do a few practice runs.”
Because I have to beat Enzo tonight. Another reason I changed my mind. I never give up a chance to beat my bigger brother.
“I don’t think so.” She stops on the curb, holding her hand out for a taxi.
“Come on. Might as well get to know one another.” I don’t know why I’m pushing so hard. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
Her eyes zero in on something over my shoulder, and I follow her line of sight to my billboard ad.
“Want me to strip down so you can compare?” I ask.
Her mouth parts slightly. A taxi stops in front of her, but she’s still processing my words. Maybe she wants me to strip. Hell, I wouldn’t mind a whole enemies-fuck-fest, getting all the pen
t-up anger toward one another out in a sweaty mess of ripped clothes and love bites. But I’m not sure she’s the type of woman who goes for that.
I open the taxi door for her, and she slides in but doesn’t move over.
“Come on, what’s the big deal?”
She leans forward, shuts the door, and the taxi pulls away from the corner before I have a chance to hop in.
“What’s up, little brother?” Enzo asks as he comes out of the building with Annie. Her phone is against her ear, and he’s carrying her briefcase.
I shake my head. My, how times have changed. “I’m likable, right?”
Annie glances up from her phone, shifts her vision to Enzo, then back to her phone.
“Yeah, of course,” Enzo answers.
“Annie?” I ask.
She puts up her finger and her body slides behind Enzo. She’s dodging me.
“Annie?”
She glances up and blows out a breath. “You can be kind of a douche to women. Not me, but I’m with your brother so…” Her shoulders rise like it doesn’t really matter.
“By all means, don’t hold back.” I chuckle, my hands finding the pockets of my jeans.
She glances at Enzo and he nods as though this is a conversation they’ve previously had. “You’re a loyal brother and son. And you’d do anything for your friends. All admirable traits. You work hard, and your clients always come first.”
I wave for her to get to the point. Again, her eyes shift. I’m making her uncomfortable, which only spurs my need to hear her opinion.
“You tend to attract a certain type of woman. And to those women, you’re likable. But to other women, you’re maybe a tad… forward?” she says as though it’s a hypothesis she’s about to test, but in her mind, it’s already truth.
Enzo slaps my shoulder. “It’s okay. I was probably the same.”
Enzo and I aren’t the same. He buried himself in his work until he had no option but to notice Annie because she was front and center. I pick up women. Women I don’t intend to have a relationship with. When I think about it, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a woman as a friend. Anyone I considered a friend quickly fell into bed with me.
“It’s fine. Everyone has a type, Carm.”
“Yours are the gym and bar girls.” Enzo smiles, but something in his tone indicates there’s more to it.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. Like when you met my friend Mae. You came off as cocky and arrogant and she didn’t like it. Those things aren’t important to her. She wants a sense of humor and someone who will bring her chicken soup when she’s sick.” Annie buries her head in her phone again.
“I’m funny.”
“No doubt.” Enzo slaps my shoulder again as if he’s trying to lessen the blow his girlfriend is delivering.
“You are, but that’s not the first quality you show people.” Her eyebrows fly halfway up her forehead. “If the girl isn’t down to fool around, you’re not really interested.”
Enzo raises his hand to flag down a cab.
“I make jokes all the time.”
She tucks her phone into her purse, looks at me square in the eye, and shrugs.
Fucking shrugs. Does she not understand she’s insulting me right now?
“It’s okay, Carm. You’re getting all high-strung for nothing. You’re not interested in getting to know the woman. You have a right to that.” She pats my arm and slides into the taxi.
“Are you joining us?” Enzo asks, holding open the door.
“Fuck yeah.” I slide into the cab next to Annie, who shrinks back when my thigh touches hers.
My brother squeezes in, eyeing his girlfriend beside me. Her back is almost plastered to the door frame.
“Yeah, this isn’t going to work.” Her hand’s on the cab door to open it when the guy pulls away from the curb.
So we take off with me riding bitch.
Enzo leans forward, telling the cab driver the address.
I wiggle my shoulders for some room. “Where were we? Oh yeah, the fact that you think I’m not a people person. How do you think I’ve become so successful in this business?”
Annie blows out a breath and looks at Enzo.
“Let’s just leave it be for now,” Enzo says, staring out the window. He knows I’m not going to, and he doesn’t want to see his girlfriend upset because the fucking sun revolves around her these days.
“No.”
“Jesus, Carm!” Annie snaps, alarming everyone in the car.
Even the cabbie is staring at us through the rearview mirror.
Enzo’s head swivels so fast, I’m surprised he can stop it from circling around in a three-sixty.
“What?” I ask like a wounded puppy.
“You’re only interested in fucking these women, so why would you think you’re leaving a good lasting impression on them? It’s not rocket science. You screw them and leave them, probably before you find out their last name or anything about them other than what drink they were consuming when you ordered them a second.” Annie huffs and crosses her arms. “You want my unguarded opinion?”
“Annie,” Enzo says, which means there’s definitely been some discussion about me.
“No.” I put my hand up in Enzo’s face. “Let the lady speak.”
My eyes lock with hers, and just like the Annie I’m growing to love like a sister, she doesn’t back down. “You can be a disgusting pig who sees no value in a woman beyond what’s between their legs.”
“Jesus Christ,” Enzo says under his breath.
“Disgusting pig? At least call me a cow, because I am grade-A beef, Annie.”
Her eyes lose their fire and she shakes her head. “Impossible.” She stares out the window.
I laugh. “Man, you’re a ballbuster.” I swing my arm around her and find it’s a helluva lot more comfortable. “You could definitely be a Mancini. Don’t let Enzo shut you up.”
She continues to shake her head.
“Get your arm off her,” Enzo says in his low, brooding tone.
Lucky for him we arrive at our destination. Once he opens up the door, my lungs can finally fully expand.
“Pay for the cab,” he says.
I dig for cash in my pocket and pay the cab because I kind of invited myself along for the ride.
Once we’re all on the street, I stare at Annie. “For you, I’m going to try to make friends with my new neighbor across the hall. How hard can it be to befriend the she-devil?”
Annie looks at Enzo, uncertainty in her eyes. We’re about to walk in when her hand lands on my forearm, stopping me. I turn, and in her eyes isn’t uncertainty or disgust or any of the emotions I’ve seen there this entire conversation. It’s sympathy. I wait to hear what she seems desperate to convey, but she stays silent.
“What?” I ask, the door falling from my grasp.
“I just… I don’t want to see you miss out—”
“Enough.” Enzo puts his hands on her cheeks and walks her to the wall of the building, where he places his lips on hers.
“You’re in public,” I say, but Enzo doesn’t stop. “Annie was talking to me.”
“There you are.” Justin heaves for a breath, stopping next to me. “Is your phone off?”
My eyes search out Enzo and Annie, who are still sucking face as though they’re fourteen and trying to get in a make-out session before their parents pick them up. And I’m the one who’s preoccupied with getting one thing from the opposite sex?
I pull out my phone, and sure as shit, I silenced it.
Justin opens the door, waiting for me to walk in first. Whatever Annie was getting at, I’ll figure out later.
I enter and turn to Justin. “What’s up?”
“We have an offer on Haverhill.”
I clap him on the back. “Finally, some good fucking news.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m tucked in a corner, getting the details of the offer from the other realtor. I’ve forgotten all the bullshit Annie said until she-devil w
alks in wearing an outfit worthy of a salute from my dick.
Maybe Annie has a point.
Chapter Seven
Bella
I walk into the building the bowling alley is located in, and of course, the first thing I see is Carmelo Mancini tucked into a corner of the lobby. To my surprise, he’s not with a woman. Then again, if he’s like every other real estate broker I know, his job will always be his mistress. So technically, he’s probably focused on the most important person in his life right now and trying to drum up new business.
I ignore Carmelo and walk up the stairs, thankful I have on jeans. The perv would probably look up my skirt without apology. I hate that I almost get a thrill from the idea of him doing so. His gaze in the hallway today was transparent. He was checking me out, and I can’t say I didn’t imagine us stuck in an elevator—until reality crashed down on me.
“Whoa, hold up.” Carmelo barrels up the stairs before I reach the third floor. “Not cool, leaving me on the sidewalk.” He smiles. A charming one that my mother would fall in love with.
“I told you I had a pit stop.”
His gaze travels down my body again. “I see. I’m not sure which outfit I pre…” His words trail off as though he’s stopping himself from continuing the conversation. “Want to play some duckpin?”
I ignore him and continue up the stairs. At the top, he opens the door like a gentleman, and I try not to look behind me to see what he’s staring at as I walk through the door.
The space is nothing like I expected. It’s older, and it looks as if these lanes have been here forever. This isn’t some trendy new place hipsters flock to. But the space does look as though it’s been decorated for office parties. All the team-building stuff companies preach have made places like this thrive. But maybe I’m just extra annoyed because I’ve been going to networking events since I got my real estate license. I’ve had enough club soda with lime for a lifetime.
