Page 19 of Taking the Pitch
I sink down further in the tub as Charlie chokes on her mouthful of wine. “You did WHAT!?”
Hazel and I spend the next couple of minutes telling her about our conversation at the counter this morning and how we didn’t think he was listening, which fun fact, apparently, he was.
“So, is that the problem?” Charlie asks, sounding like it’s not much of a problem.
“Wellll, not exactly,” I say, taking another sip of wine. “I might have accused him of offering me sex.”
Hazel barks out a laugh and Charlie stares at me like I have three heads.
“To be fair,” I explain before Charlie strokes out. “What are the odds the guy in the café turns out to be the same guy I need help from? Plus, like I said in my text, he looks different out of uniform,” I explain the rest of the events that happened on the library steps before stopping to finish off the rest of my wine.
“I have to give you that, Millie. I served the guy, and I didn’t even recognize him. You can’t fault her on that, C,” Hazel says in my defense before shoving another handful of popcorn into her mouth.
Charlie pinches the bridge of her nose and blows out a breath. “Okay, besides all of that. What seems to be theactualproblem? Are you embarrassed? Is he mad? I’m still lost here Millie.”
You and me both sister.
“The problem isCharlie, he fucking lives in my building! I found that gem out after getting back from the library today and threatened to call the cops on him for stalking before I knew he livedin the penthouse. To which he told meheprefers to be the one to use the handcuffs.”
Both women stare at me with matching shocked looks on their faces.
“No one’s going to say anything?”
“You lucky bitch,” Hazel says finally, while Charlie still stares at me in silence.
“I don’t see the lucky part of this Haze.”
“He wants to fuck you,” she says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“I don’t think so. I think he just enjoys fuckingwithme. There’s a difference.” I don’t tell them about the elevator. I hold that piece of information back until I can wrap my head around it more.
“Do you want me to find him a different program? I know it would leave you back at square one, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable,” Charlie says, worry lacing her voice.
I sigh. “No, despite us butting heads, I can tell he actually truly cares about it and is a really good fit for it.” I sit up and reach for the wine bottle, dumping the rest into my glass. “Plus, he made friends with Ruby.” Both women gasp. They know all about Ruby and how much it pains me I can’t adopt her and haven’t found her the absolute perfect home yet, either.
“Maybe he can adopt her!” Hazel says excitedly.
I lean my head back against the tub. “I just don’t think that would work with his travel schedule during the season. Plus, how would Ruby feel to get adopted, then sent somewhere else off and on throughout the year? It’s just too chaotic for a rescue dog, especially one with trust issues like hers.”
Charlie nods in agreement. “Our schedule is insane and it truly wouldn’t be fair to her.”
Hazel sighs. “Well, it was a good thought, at least.”
“Look on the bright side Hazel, maybe this means she’s coming out of her shell more and can be adopted soon.”
My phone pings with a text. Opening it, I see it’s Marty from the front desk, letting me know my food is here.
“Ladies, my food is here. I’m going to go eat my weight in Chinese food now.”
“Hey Millie, before you go, are you sure you’re okay with this? I can find something else for both of you if it’s too much.”
I don’t even need to think about it. “I’m sure, Charlie. I feel better after talking with you guys. After the interview next week, maybe he’ll just be one of those silent investor types and all I’ll have to do is avoid him at my apartment.”
Really, how often could we run into each other? After the other elevator is fixed and if I use the stairs more than I currently do, I bet I hardly see him.
CHAPTER SIX
judd
