Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 22937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz! My phone sounds, and I pick it up.
“Hold on,” I say to Scarlett, answering it. “Hello?”
“It’s me, asshole.” Scarlett’s voice comes through the speaker, and I hang up as her face reddens. “So, you are ignoring me.”
“Obviously.”
“For what reason, Jameson?”
“Because I don’t like prolonged entanglements.” I try to focus on my folder again. “And the risk of getting into one—especially given your potential emotions—is not appealing to me.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m some type of business asset.”
“You’d be a business ‘loss,’ Scarlett,” I say. “Not an asset. I can’t afford you getting attached to me, or thinking that sex with me would actually mean anything other than that.”
“You honestly think your cock is that powerful?”
“This conversation was over weeks ago, Scarlett.”
“Well, it can’t possibly be because no woman has ever called your line while we’re talking, showed up to see you, or even texted you about wanting a second round,” she hisses. “I would know since I just checked the visitor and phone logs downstairs, so that means you’re full of shit.”
I look over at her again, flexing my fingers.
“Is that all, Scarlett?” I can feel a vein in my neck swelling. “Can we return to being strangers now?”
“As long as you can admit that you abandoned me because you’re scared of dating a virgin.”
“I’m not scared of shit,” I hiss. “And last I checked, we weren’t ‘dating,’ so I couldn’t have abandoned you.”
“The words you’re looking for are ‘I’m sorry,’ and ‘I think you’re better off finding someone who values you for a long-term relationship.’”
“You must have lost your hearing and your brain on your way to work this morning...” I stand up from the chair and slowly stroll over to her.
I stop right in front of her—too far for me to touch, but close enough for me to see the fury burning in her irises.
“Me discovering that you’re a virgin was you saving me from making a mistake.” I keep my voice firm. “So, thank you, Scarlett. Thank you for ensuring that the only thing we’ll ever discuss is how clean the floors in my firm look.”
Her bottom lip quivers, and I can tell she’s trying to interrupt, but she’s not fast enough.
“Since I finally closed out your unfortunate loan situation today and I’ll never ask for anything in return—” I pause on that half-truth. “I think this makes us more than even in the favors department. Correct?”
“No.”
“What else do I owe you then?” I arch a brow. “Besides an invoice for wasting my time?”
“Fuck you, Jameson.”
“I was willing to, but you ruined that... Remember?”
“I hate that I ever met you,” she says, stepping back. “You’re my biggest disappointment.”
“Maybe we should’ve had sex, then.” I glare at her. “I can guarantee you would’ve never said that afterwards.”
I shut my door and lock it before she can say anything else, before she can notice that my cock is stiff in my pants and that she still has an effect on me.
FULL DISCLOSURE (N.):
THE NEED IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS TO TELL THE "WHOLE TRUTH" ABOUT ANY MATTER WHICH THE OTHER PARTY SHOULD KNOW IN DECIDING TO BUY OR CONTRACT.
SCARLETT
Refusing to let a single tear fall from my eyes, I press my ID against the dorm building’s keypad and wait for the beep.
Pushing the doors open, I walk through the lobby—stopping dead in my tracks at the sight of hundreds of turquoise and white balloons kissing the ceiling.
What the...
“Happy Birthday, Scarlett!” My friend Jeneva jumps from behind the couch with a glitter cannon.
My other theater friends pop up from all over, covering me in silly string and confetti.
“You’re finally twenty-one!” “It’s your mother-fucking birthday!” “Shots! Shots! Shots!”
Their cheers fill the room, and tears prick my eyes.
I’d nearly forgotten what today was.
“Awwww! She’s about to cry, you guys!” Jeneva pulls me into a hug. “Bring out the cake!”
Laura, the newest belle of the stage—the girl who’s living the life I so desperately want—rolls a table closer. On top sits a pink and white sheet cake that doesn’t hold a written birthday wish.
Instead, it bears a golden cursive, “Future Award-Winning Actress, Scarlett Winters.”
Jeneva sticks a “legal as fuck” candle at its center, and I hate that the word ‘legal’ instantly triggers the thought of Jameson.
FUCK HIM.
“Okay.” Jeneva claps. “Make a wish and blow it out!”
For a moment, I consider asking for Jameson to get struck by a bus, but he’s not worth wasting a wish on.
Shutting my eyes, I think hard on what I really want.
I wish for a starring role on Broadway within a year. Please, within a year...
I blow out the candles to cheers and applause, and within seconds, music is blasting and someone is passing out vodka shots.
Even though I’m the definition of a lightweight, I grab two and quickly down them. Then I grab another, and another, until my brain stops serving me thoughts of Jameson.