Page 320 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“Yeah?” he barks.

He’s a mess. Hair wild.

Desk buried in disarray.

But then he looks up,

irritation replaced by amusement.

“Come to fuck over another deal this mornin’?” he asks, mouth shaped by a fed-up smile. “Nah. One thing about you, baby? You only walk through that door when you’re forced or desperate.” He leans back, the chair groaning under him. “Now I’m intrigued.”

The second I knocked on his door,

he knew he had me.

Because there is something I want.

And I am desperate for it.

So much so,

I’d be willing to do almost anything.

I stand behind the chair, keeping it between us as if it could protect me.

“Sit down, Allie. You’re acting like a fuckin’ pigeon.” He eyes me suspiciously. “Jesus. This gotta be important, huh?”

I give the back of the chair a squeeze

before walking around it.

I hate this chair.

I hate this office.

I hate him.

“I need a meeting with James,” I say,

dropping my palms onto my lap.

Raymond tips his head back, a smile twitching as if he misheard me. “James?” he repeats. “My brother?” His brows hike up to his hairline. This somehow delights him, and he pulls himself forward, adjusting his cuff. “Now, Allie… what on earth could you possibly want with James?”

Managing Raymond is like playing a game of cat-and-mouse.

If I appear too needy, he’ll either refuse out of spite or dangle it over my head to see how much he can wring out of me before giving in.

If I seem disinterested, he’ll blow it off.

I have to deliver the sweet spot,

give him just enough to make the call.

“That’s none of your concern.”

He tsks. “The man is a CEO, Allie, busy runnin’ an entire hospital and all.”

“I know his title. That’s why I’m here.”