Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
When I arrive at the coffee shop where Ralph Martinez, the owner of Evolution PR, asked me to meet him, I look for him before grabbing a cup of coffee. I immediately spot him from his pictures on the company website and walk over to him.
“Mr. Martinez?”
“Please, call me Ralph. Kaylee?”
“Yes.”
“What would you like to drink?” he asks, standing like a gentleman and pulling my seat out for me. He’s dressed in a sharp suit that probably costs as much as the rent here in Manhattan.
“Iced vanilla latte is good,” I tell him, keeping it simple.
“Anything to eat? Those chocolate chip muffins are calling my name.” He smiles wide, and a single dimple pops out of his left cheek. He’s cute in a wholesome way, but he does nothing for me... not like Bra—
I inwardly sigh and shake him from my thoughts. It’s been over two weeks since I walked away, and he hasn’t once tried to reach out.
“What the heck, I’ll take one,” I say, suddenly in need of something sweet. Emotional eating is a real thing.
“Sounds good.”
While he’s at the counter ordering, I check my phone for any messages or emails, telling myself that I’m not looking for anything from Braxton.
When a throat clears, I glance up, thinking it’s Ralph, only, instead, it’s the man who’s been in my every thought.
“Brax,” I breathe, shocked to see him standing here. “What are you doing here?”
“Camden said you were here.”
“You asked him where I was?”
“He said you were staying with them, and I went by there to talk to you.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Thought it would be better to talk in person.”
My insides knot, unsure if that’s a good or bad thing. I take him in, and despite Layla mentioning he was drinking heavily after I left, he looks good—sober and well-rested. He’s dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, Vans donning his feet and a hat covering his head.
“Here you go,” Ralph says, making me dart my eyes from checking out Braxton over to him. “One vanilla latte and a chocolate chip muffin.” He sets them on the table in front of me, not realizing that Braxton is standing next to our table, staring daggers at him.
“Brax—”
“Are you serious right now?” Braxton says, not giving me a chance to explain. “You’re on a fucking date?”
I shake my head, but he’s already jumped to conclusions. “This is Ralph—”
“I don’t give a damn who he is. Is this what you’re into now? Suits?” he spits, making it clear a man in a suit is not a good thing.
Ralph’s brows rise at the dig. “Something wrong with a man in a suit?”
“Nope.” Braxton shrugs as I quickly stand and grab his arm, needing to haul him away before things get worse. “Just wasn’t aware Kaylee was into guys with sticks up their asses.”
I know damn well he doesn’t feel that way since many of the people he works with at the label wear suits, but it’s the only thing that he can think of to talk shit about since he doesn’t know who this guy is.
“Braxton,” I hiss. “Stop it. You’re embarrassing me.”
“I’m embarrassing you?” he barks out with a laugh. “It’s only been, what? Two weeks and you’ve already moved on? You’re embarrassing your damn self.”
“Please give me a moment,” I beg Ralph, who’s now frowning.
“Nah, you don’t need to give her anything. Go sit and enjoy yourself. We’re done here.” Braxton shakes my hand off his arm and stalks out, leaving me stuck wondering if I should stay where I am or go after him.
“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Ralph says, standing, “but maybe you should go handle that. The last thing I want is to get in the middle of...” He waves his hand, unsure of what exactly he just walked into the middle of, and I don’t blame him. He’s an important man, who has no time for immature shit.
“I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay. Really, I just wanted to apologize on behalf of Evolution. When I heard about what happened, I wanted to clear the air myself. If you need a letter of reference, please contact my secretary, and she can get something for you.”
In the emails, he mentioned the possibility of a job opportunity in their marketing department. While I wasn’t even sure I would take it if it were offered, having not wanted to work for the company who didn’t have my back when all that shit went down with Sam York, the fact that it’s now off the table because of Braxton has me fuming.
“Take care, Ms. Thomas.”
He leaves without taking his drink or muffin with him, and after I throw it all away, I head out, dialing Braxton’s number so I can bitch him out. The first couple of times, he sends my ass to voicemail, which only makes me even madder.