Page 9 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

“I’m quaking in my Ferragamo shoes,” he drawls.

I huff and leave him to it.

The rest of the day goes without incident, thank goodness, and I’m actually able to slip out at a reasonable hour. I set everything up for tomorrow so it’s all good to go, then grab my purse and hurry to the elevator before one of the men can call me back and give me more work to do.

This is why I try not to say goodnight. These men are all workaholics, so at least one of them will always have something more to give me. I need to make my escape when I can.

By the time I get to the bar where I’m meeting my best friend, Allison, Hayden still hasn’t texted me. I think I might’ve gotten away with it. Ford and Gabriel won’t usually bother me once I’ve left work, but, well… Hayden is another type of beast altogether.

Allison is sitting at one of the high tops in the middle of the room when I get there. She grins and waves me over enthusiastically. I love my bestie to death, but there are times when I feel a bit envious of her. She’s tall and willowy, with honey colored eyes, sandy blonde hair, and an almost elfin face with just a hint of freckles.

She never has any trouble getting a date, and she walks and dresses so confidently. Sometimes I wish I could know what it feels like to move through the world with that kind of ease—to be the kind of woman a man looks at twice, instead of the one they settle for.

That’s stupid, I know. A guy who wants to cheat is going to cheat, no matter how beautiful you might be. And Allison has had her own romantic woes. She’s my best friend, and I love her and I want good things for her.

I just wish, sometimes, that I could be the one that handsome men stare at when I walk into a room.

“How’d it go last night?” She hugs me hello and then waves the bartender over for a drink.

I quickly scan the menu. It’s still happy hour, thank goodness. I often get off work late enough that all the happy hours are over by the time I get to the bar, and then I have to just order a soda. I order a cocktail, but I’m going to stick to just one. Five dollars is fine, but I can’t push it. My budget is still tight.

“Ugh. It didn’t go at all.” I fill Allison in on what happened.

“Wow, that’s insane. Your boss is a psychopath.”

I laugh. “I want to hear you say that to Hayden’s face. Not that it would get to him. I swear he always finds a way to have the last word.”

Allison nods sagely. “Like a psychopath.”

I laugh again. “Aren’t you the one who told me you thought he was hot when I showed you a photo?”

“He is hot! Doesn’t mean he’s not crazy! You were on a date! You could’ve been meeting the love of your life!”

I groan. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’ll be honest… I wasn’t really feeling it.”

“Oh, no, I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “It’s fine. It just felt like he was trying too hard. I want a man who’s confident.”

“And you deserve one.”

“Confident men don’t go for women like me.”

“Are you kidding me? Maeve, you’re a catch.” Allison frowns at me as I sip my cocktail. “Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on Liam.”

“I’m not. I mean—not like that. I’m not in love with him anymore.” Far from it. I kind of want to set his Lamborghini on fire. “It’s just… he said all the right things. He seemed so great. He made me question my own judgment. How do I know the next man won’t do the same? How can I trust that I’m not just being led on by someone playing a part?”

Allison puts her hand comfortingly over mine. “Maeve, I know he messed you up. But he’s a spoiled dick, and it’s been two years. You need to get back out there.”

“Or maybe I need to just swear off men.”

“Maybe the problem isn’t the men, babe. Maybe the problem is you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, that you are gorgeous, and wonderful, and anyone would be lucky to have you, you ridiculous woman.” Allison sips her cocktail. “You need to realize your worth. Once you do, people around you will notice. You’ll dump shitty men before they have a chance to hurt you because you’ll realize that they’re not good enough for you.”

“Or, I should stay home and cook.”