Page 46 of Secret Offer
“Blair, you don’thaveto live in New York. You could probably move to the island and work remotely. I mean, your parents own the company. Lots of people work from home these days.”
I mull it over for half a second, shaking my head. “First of all, I don’t even know if seeing me more long-term is something he’d be interested in. It’s probably not what he wants.”
“Can’t hurt to ask.”
“Okay, but secondly, I’m not going to just give up my entire life to live on an island so I can screw some hot guy until we get bored of each other. I’m excited to start working at the Tisdale Corp. and I know that being in the actual, physical office is crucial to my success. And thirdly, Sebastian said he was here for work, but just because he co-owns a resort here, it doesn’t mean he lives here year-round.”
“Well, wherever he lives, you can still try to do the long-distance thing. It could work. At least, for as long as you both can make it work.”
“I’ve thought about that,” I admit. “But again, I don’t think that’s what he wants.”
“Why don’t you justaskhim what he wants instead of trying to guess?” she says pointedly. “Maybe he’s having the same exact thoughts you are.”
“Well. It’s just…” I hesitate, standing up to pace the balcony, and then push on. “The thing is, he’s very hot and cold. Half the time he acts like he doesn’t want to sleep with me, or he stops before we go too far. The other half of the time, he’s a total beast and I probably couldn’t keep him off me if I tried.”
Brooke laughs. “Damn, girl. Classy problems.”
“I know. But still, it’s like he’s constantly holding back. Isn’t that a red flag? Maybe he’s not that into me.”
“Blair, please. That date he arranged last night tells me everything I need to know about his interest level. It required a lot of effort and planning, and it was romantic as hell. He wants you.”
“I know he ‘wants’ me, but I can’t tell if there’s more to it than just the sex we’re having and the fact that we seem to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe that’s all it is and I’m just…imagining that there could be more to it because I like him too much.”
“I’m sure he’s just fighting his attraction to you because it’s inappropriate—you’re a guest at his hotel, and there’s the age gap. Plus, you both know that this thing you’ve got going has an expiration date. So here’s my advice: Either talk to the guy and find out if this could turn into more than just a fling or spend the rest of your life regretting the fact that you didn’t have the balls to ask,” Brooke says. “Your choice. I know what I’d do in your position.”
“Yeah,” I say, sighing. “You’re probably right.”
“We both know I’m right,” she shoots back. “I just got to the office. Are you good now?”
“I’m good. Thanks for talking.”
“Always. Call me if you need to and I’ll see you soon, okay? Love you.”
“Love you. Bye.”
I hang up just in time to hear the chime of the doorbell going off inside the suite. It must be my room service. And I’m still in a bathrobe with wet hair.
“You’re a mess, Blair,” I scold myself as I tighten the robe and go to the door.
After the food cart has been rolled into the room and I’ve signed off on the bill, I take my plate and my cup of coffee out to the balcony so I can enjoy my breakfast in the open air. As I eat, I think about what my best friend said.
Brooke is right. I should just talk to Sebastian and see how he feels about meeting up again in the future. But I wouldn’t call that a long-distance relationship. The term implies a level of commitment that I doubt we’re ready for. It hasn’t even been two weeks yet. This thing is casual, and I like it that way.
Besides, having a relationship isn’t my first priority. My career is. Learning how to run the baseball team is. Sebastian would just be the cherry on top. Would he want to be my cherry? I wouldn’t mind being his…
My phone buzzes from my pocket and I set my coffee cup down and pull out my cell, pulse racing in anticipation. It’s not Sebastian, though. It’s my mom. Again.
Ted looks exceptionally handsome this morning. I’ll send you a photo.
I start texting back,You don’t have to?—
But it’s too late. A picture of Ted comes through. He’s sitting next to my dad, smiling right into my mother’s camera, and I wonder if she told them she was taking a picture to send to me. Ted’s eyes sparkle and his dark blond hair flops adorably over one eye. He’s wearing a polo shirt, and this might be the first time I’ve seen him without his Marlins hat. He is handsome, but it doesn’t do anything for me.
Very nice. Hope you’re all having fun.
It’s obvious that my mom is not-so-subtly trying to set me up with Ted. Ever since she got here, she's gone out of her way to mention him at every opportunity. It’s either something about his good looks, or his multi-million-dollar contract, or what a genuinely nice guy he is. She even casually mentioned that he’d probably make a great father one day. I can’t believe she thinks her efforts might actually pay off.
Another horrifying thought strikes me. Who knows what she’s telling Ted over breakfast right now? If she’s campaigning as hard with him as she has been with me, he could end up getting all kinds of wrong ideas about me. I’m definitely not looking for a husband, despite my mom’s wishes.
