Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Kenneth,” Bodie called. “Have you given any more thought to possibly using Morgan Law Firm as your political lawyers?” Kenneth tried to respond but didn’t get beyond opening his mouth before Bodie held up his hand. “I know, I know. You have the law firm you’ve worked with for years, but they focus on corporate law, and Morgan Law can provide a fine focus into what you need. Rae knows how great our firm is.”
He looked to her to back him up, but she picked that time to bring the glass back to her lips, only offering a small smile and nod in support—if you could call it that.
Bodie’s jaw ticked, and his nostrils flared. He looked ready to snap at her lack of words, and it brought me to the edge of my seat.
“I appreciate your offer, Bodie. I’ll be sure to talk it over with my staff and keep it in mind.”
“Of course.”
“Rae, I saw your photo pop up online when I was scrolling through the society pages,” Ida said, turning the conversation.
Rae relaxed just enough to put down her glass. “Yeah, I figured appearing at the restaurant opening would garner enough attention to talk about our plans to raise money for the shelter.”
“I’m pretty sure the jacket without a shirt underneath was what got you all the attention,” Bodie muttered.
Rae’s lips tightened, but she merely swallowed and stuck to talking to her mom about their plans. A lot of people assumed Rae was nothing more than an airhead who liked to party and be fashionable, but she knew mainstream marketing like the back of her hand, which made her such a huge asset for anyone wanting to get their name out there.
Thankfully, that was the last bitchy comment from Bodie, which allowed conversation to flow from there through the rest of dinner. Kenneth asked me about work and the new marketing design I was in charge of. I always gave him my full attention, but any time there was a gap in conversation or when Bodie took over, I used the opportunity to watch Rae.
We were friends—best friends—because I refused to be anything other than important to her, and if I gave in to having sex, she’d use me up and never give me a chance for more again. I watched her hop from one man to the next, and I didn’t want to be another had-been on her list.
“Well, we should get going. I have an important meeting, and Rae needs her beauty sleep,” Bodie announced.
Everyone managed a laugh, except me. God, I hated him.
A hate that only grew when I walked out to the foyer to find them arguing after Kenneth held me back to ask me about a marketing project, and Ida went to the kitchen. Steel shot up my spine when I caught the way Rae’s shoulders curled in under her dropped chin. Bodie towered over her with a clenched jaw and flushed face.
“Everything okay?” I asked, my voice cold as ice, fists clenched and ready to kill him.
Bodie stepped back, giving Rae enough space to stand up tall again. She watched Bodie before turning to me with that same wall dropped down over her eyes. I wanted to kick it down. “Everything’s fine,” she answered blandly.
“Well, sunshine…” Kenneth walked in, interrupting before I could push for more. “I’m off to bed.” He wrapped Rae in a hug with a kiss on her head. “Bodie, it was good to see you.”
He shook Bodie’s hand but gave me another back-slapping hug. Another win.
When Bodie went to shake my hand, I squeezed harder than before—a warning of sorts. He tried to squeeze back, but I outweighed him by fifty pounds of muscle, and he didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t bother hiding my smirk when he pulled back with a grimace.
“You coming?” Bodie asked Rae.
“In a minute. Can you get the car heated up?”
His jaw clenched when he looked at me and back to her. “Yeah.”
“Thanks for coming tonight,” she said as soon as Bodie left.
“You mean, thanks for saving you from a night with just your parents and Bodie?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, if you’re going to be a whiner about it, then I guess I won’t give you the other thing I invited you here for.”
“What thing?” I asked, narrowing my eyes, looking her up and down for any signs of a gift pocketed away.
“Are you going to stop being a baby?” she taunted.
“No.”
“Ugh, fine,” she ceded like I knew she would. “I’m too impatient to not give it to you anyway.”
“I know,” I laughed.
With a glare and a smile, she slapped my shoulder before digging through her purse. “Aha!” she proclaimed.
I took the white envelope and opened it while still watching Rae bounce from foot to foot like a little kid. I was so distracted by each sway of her body that it took me a moment to process what the tickets were for. “Holy shit, Rae.”