Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
"I fucked up," I admit, letting the overwhelming feeling take over. I can’t believe I actually slept with him… and that I got caught doing it. And that it was that good. What a foolish thing to do. I can’t help thinking how dumb it is, how I have probably just ruined my career.
Maggie gives me a worried look, her eyebrow lifting yet again. I’m going to give this poor girl premature wrinkles on her forehead. "What do you mean?"
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes again, and this time, Maggie points toward its cushion hideout, silently telling me to deal with that. I pull it out, reading the message.
Come to dinner next weekend. Just business.
Just business.
As if it could ever be just business now. What we did… I swallow thickly and shove it down. One of the best pieces of advice I was given by a college professor was to meet every offer with a response, never a closed door. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, Dylan opened so many doors for me tonight. If even one of them stays open, I’m still on better footing than I was yesterday.
I read his text again.
It’s too tempting of an offer, and I have to give Dylan credit for one thing. He hasn’t lied to me. He told me exactly why he wanted me to come with him tonight, even when it made him look bad. And when we discussed doing more to exact our revenge on Evan, he was direct and clear about it and what we’d be doing. So if Dylan says something, he means it.
Besides, I’m not sure I can afford to slam any potential doors closed at this point.
Okay. Send details, I’ll meet you there.
As if he was waiting for my answer, he quickly replies, I will. I enjoyed tonight, Raven. I’m glad you were there.
Me too. Goodnight, Dylan.
As I hit Send and the words turn into a bubble marked Read on the screen, I second-guess telling him good night. It feels like something more. Like an offer that will end with my heart shattered.
“Raven,” Maggie says, literally snapping me back to our tiny living room with her right hand. Snap, snap. “What do you mean, you fucked up?”
"I mean, I shouldn't have gotten involved with Dylan,” I reply, taking a sip of my tea. “I’m playing with fire."
“Involved?” Maggie asks, lifting an eyebrow. “Explain.”
“I… might have slept with him tonight,” I admit. “Uhm, not slept with, but you get my point.” I’m definitely not telling her the details about exactly where Dylan and I had sex. I’ll let Maggie assume that it happened at his place, or in the car afterward, or whatever her heart desires.
I expect Maggie to be shocked, but instead, she smiles happily. “Good for you,” she exclaims matter-of-factly, lifting her own tea cup to clink mugs with me although I keep mine still. “What’s wrong with that?”
I blink, knowing damn well my best friend is playing down the fact that I am playing with fire.
“You know exactly why.”
“Well, no one else knows,” she says, and I meet her with a side eye.
“They might.”
“And so what if they do?” she says as if it’s a non-issue. “First off, Evan cheated on you. Second, you two went how long since you last had sex? I mean seriously, I think Ami’s been getting more action than you recently, and you know how much of a goody two-shoes she can be.”
None of that can erase the look of those men’s faces at the elevator from my memory. Men in the industry. Men who talk. And if what Evan told me is what he’s telling everyone else…
She must see the doubt on my face because she adds, “It’s no biggie, Raven. You got yours, he got some, you both get back at Evan. Win-win-win, yeah? And the whole industry and everyone in it is basically trading partners like it’s a square dance. It’s the way of the rich.”
I think I nod, but mostly, my brain is whirling like a tornado. Could Maggie be right? Could I have overreacted to being spotted post-sex because Evan’s words were in the back of my mind?
“Maybe,” I say, not sure but feeling a tiny seed of hope that maybe it’s not as bad as I feared. “I just… I’ve never had sex on a first time out with someone before, let alone had sex with someone who could be my boss or help me get hired,” I finally reply, and Maggie waves me off. “No, I’m serious.”
“So am I, that this isn’t serious,” Maggie stresses. “Look, having a fling with Dylan isn’t a problem. You’ve more than earned some free dick, and as long as it stays that way, casual fun between you two, then you’re cool. One time, hit it, quit it, and don’t let what Evan ‘Eh’ Faulkner thinks of you and your potential dictate your future.”