“I have plans.” My eyes go to the garment bag on the coat rack. The very expensive dress I picked out to attend a gala with my boss.
His movements stop as he looks at it and then back to me. “What kind of plans?”
My shoulders fall as I scratch my head. This is definitely something we should have talked about. Then again, New Year’s plans haven’t been a discussion. I mean, it hasn’t been a week since Hunter and I started hooking up. We’ve never even officially said if we’re exclusive or not. Still, this is something I probably should have mentioned days ago. I’m such an idiot.
“There’s a gala at the Rainbow Room. I’m going.”
He nods slowly. “The same party Branson was asking you about on our way home from Connecticut?”
“Yes. He invited me as his plus-one.”
Hunter’s jaw drops. “His plus-one? As in his date?”
I hold up a finger to correct him. “Not his date. His colleague.”
“You made New Year’s Eve plans with him?”
I glance to the side and back, wondering what the appropriate answer is for this. “I’m attending a gala with my boss as a promotional opportunity. After tomorrow’s presentation, he thinks it will be a great event for me to get out there and mingle with broadcasting’s finest.”
“How does he know your presentation is going to be any good? You could suck.”
“Hunter!” I scold. “How dare you! You have no idea what kind of pressure I’m under to get this right in time. Time, which you are using up right now.”
He rises from my desk and runs a hand through his hair. “Now, I’m wasting your time?” He spins around and looks over at the garment bag. “Where did that come from?”
“Saks. Isn’t it obvious?”
He sags with a no-shit expression. “I meant, why is it here and not at your apartment?”
I stand, feeling uncomfortable sitting here. “I had to have it altered so they delivered it here.”
His eyes widen as he steps away. His expression hardens. His hands are on his hips, and I feel there’s a need for me to speak and see why he’s giving me the caramel-eyed death stare, but I’m not sure what to say.
Hunter slowly paces the room. “Don’t you think this is a little too convenient? A week ago, the guy wouldn’t give you the time of day. Now, he’s asking you to Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and who knows what other eve he has in mind?”
I step back, feeling virtually slapped by his words. “Did it ever cross your mind that I’m damn good at my job and my boss is rewarding me?”
“Rewarding you,” he says sarcastically.
“Yes. Don’t you remember how I said he’s been introducing me to people who will help further my career? He says some pretty important people will be there, so he had me go pick out a dress, so I’d fit the attire.”
“Are you saying he paid for your dress as well?” His voice gets angrier with every word.
“What do you mean by that? And I think you need to take a moment before you say something you’re going to regret.” I cross my arms in a huff. “You can’t be mad because I’m going to a work event.”
“Of course I’m not mad about that. You know I’m a reasonable man. I’ve watched you work for him for two years. Going to that party is a big deal. I get it. I’m upset because you purposefully didn’t tell me, which only leads me to believe that, deep down, you still want him.”
“You have no idea what I want.”
He puts his palms up in retreat. “I started fake dating you just so he’d finally notice you. You don’t go from pining for someone for so long to just flipping the switch. I guess you got exactly what you wanted this whole time. Have a happy New Year with him.”
I inhale, shocked at everything he just said. Before I can even process his statement, he flings the door open.
I head over and push it closed, trapping him in. “Don’t walk away.” I hold my chin up to him in defiance. “What’s the matter, Hunter? Is the clock running out on our fake relationship? Two weeks is just a few days away.”
“You’re just angry because I don’t need a relationship to be fulfilled,” he bites back. “You’re happy to be some guy’s ball and chain just so you’re not alone in your fairyland.”
That’s the problem with fighting with a Sagittarius. His words hurt more than he can imagine.
“I don’t know why you’re so upset, Hunter. You want nothing more than the freedom to explore and experience everything life has to offer. What happens when the day comes where I can’t just run off to a castle or your parents’ or go sledding in the park? What happens when you’re no longer intrigued by me?”
“If that’s what you think, then you know nothing about me. I bet you thought this was just a bullshit relationship. It was fake to you this whole time, wasn’t it?”
I shake my head, tears streaming down my eyes. “It is real. And it’s been beautiful, and we didn’t even get a chance to get started before you came in here with your plans without asking me first. I’ll go with you the next day. Book a six in the morning flight and start the New Year with me,” I say with arms open.
His eyes narrow on the carpet, and he doesn’t say a word.
I lower my arms. “That’s not what you want. You want an adventure and the romance. You believe in a strong drink, clever conversation, an excellent first kiss, and a good fuck. You said those words to me at the bar after the holiday party when I asked you to teach me how to seduce Branson. Turns out, I was the one being seduced.”
I step back, shake my head in disappointment, and continue, “That’s what you do. You seduce because you love to fall in love, but you don’t like the relationship. That’s why your relationships only last two weeks. I bet you never make it past the first fight.”
“Don’t make me feel bad about being angry when you’re the one turning down a weekend with me”—he swallows with disgust—“to be with him.”
I move closer to the door and open it. “I’m sorry that’s how you feel. If you think I’d rather be with him on New Year’s, then you don’t know me at all.”
Hunter takes two steps closer, his body just inches from mine. “Cancel on him, Katie. Come with me. Choose me over him. Just like you did on Christmas Eve.”
I see the garment bag out of the corner of my eye. The computer screen with my PowerPoint is still lit up with the words I’ve worked so hard on over this past month.
When I look up into Hunter’s eyes, I can tell he’s searching for the answer he wants. What he wants though is not what I need.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to the event. And it’s not because I’m choosing him or you. I’m choosing myself.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose as he takes a deep breath. I want to lean up and kiss him to show him how I feel about him, but I halt when Branson comes back from his meeting.
“I had to reschedule for tomorrow because there’s no way—” Branson pauses when he sees the look on Hunter’s face. “Oh, hello. You look like you have a migraine. Can I get you something for that?”