I decide to be ready for whatever will happen. I won’t be caught off guard again and look like ass.
No, today I’m going to look as hot as possible. So, I climb out of bed and start a pot of coffee.
Two hours later, I’m showered and wearing my deep purple bikini, white off-the-shoulder top, and black lace shorts. I wanted to look like I didn’t spend an hour trying to select my clothes. I’ve curled my blonde hair in loose curls, and I actually put makeup on. Nicole would be proud.
I grab my phone and dial her number. It’s only six, but I don’t care. She’s the one who convinced me that I needed to let loose, so she can deal with my neurotic ass.
“Hello?” her voice is hoarse and sleepy.
“Wake up!” I scream.
“What’s wrong?” she asks sounding more alert. “Are you okay?”
“I have a date with Eli! That’s what’s wrong!”
She groans, and I hear some rustling in the background. “For real? You call me at the freaking ass crack of dawn for this?”
“Well.” I huff. “It was your genius idea I sleep with him, and now he keeps showing up, kissing me, and forcing me on random dates.”
Nicole snorts. “Yeah, forcing you. I can imagine how hard it is to say yes to one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive. The torture.”
Maybe “force” is the wrong word, but this outing wasn’t my idea. I have no idea what we’re even doing, except I need a bathing suit, which probably means my eyeliner was a stupid idea. I’m so not equipped for this. I’m much better when I’m in control.
Like at work.
“Not the point. And that was three years ago. Look, you need to come calm me down. I’m going to end up on the floor from a panic attack.”
“I thought you didn’t like him,” she tosses back at me.
“I don’t!”
I totally do.
I like everything about him so far. The only thing that keeps me hung up is the whole famous and wealthy thing. He lives on Harbour Island, and I don’t even have enough money to dream of stepping foot there. Hell, the only time I’ve ever been there was on a call.
Panic starts to take hold, and my breathing becomes labored.
“Heather?”
“I . . .” I gasp. “Can’t.”
“Okay.” Nicole’s voice turns soft and controlled. “Breathe. Just relax. Think about the fact that he’s chasing you. You’re gorgeous, funny, and own a gun. You can shoot him in the dick if he upsets you.”
Slowly, I gain control as I laugh at the last part. “What am I thinking?”
“You’re thinking about yourself, babe. It’s a good thing. You deserve to be happy and have some damn fun. Why are you overthinking this?”
My biggest worry is that I’ll get swept up in this pretend life, and when reality comes crashing around me, I’ll be broken.
Life isn’t full of rainbows and sunshine. It’s cloudy days and tornados that twist everything I love away.
“What happens when he finds out about my insane life and leaves?”
“What if he stands by you?”
It’s my turn to laugh. “Yeah, what man doesn’t love a woman who has no time for him?”
“Then you make time! You worry about shit that probably won’t even be an issue. If he doesn’t understand your life, then he doesn’t belong in it.”
“You’re right.”
Nicole sighs. “I know I am. Look, you’re my best friend, and I love you when you don’t call me before the fucking sun is up.”
“Sorry.” I lie back on the couch, hating my weakness. Self-doubt is a bitch.
“Don’t be sorry, be Heather. Be the girl who is fearless, full of confidence, and knows what an amazing woman she is. Because that’s who you are. You’re not what Matt turned you into.”
Another reason to hate him. When he left me, I started to wonder if I was worth anything. I know in some part of my rational brain that he’s the idiot, but I couldn’t help but doubt myself. I gave him my heart, and he tossed it away as if it meant nothing.
All because my sister needed me more than he did.
I’ve spent a long time trying to convince myself that he left because of his own issues, but the truth is, I wonder what’s wrong with me.
“I wish I knew where that girl went,” I admit.
“You’ll find her. What time does he get there?”
“I have no idea. I forgot to ask.”
Nicole bursts out laughing. “Well, this should be a fun day.”
After Nicole gives me more of a pep talk, I get my emotions under control, and they are sent right back into meltdown mode when Eli knocks.
I take three deep breaths before opening the door.
Eli stands there in his mirrored aviators, white T-shirt, and dark blue board shorts. His dark hair is pushed to the side, and if I thought he was hot before, today he’s on fire. In front of me is the man who every woman drools over. He drips with sex appeal.
And today, he’s my date.
“Morning.” I let his husky voice wash over me and try not to let it fry my nerves.
“Good morning.”
“I’m glad to see you’re awake.”
I smile. “You never told me a time, but I get up early even on my days off.”
It isn’t a total lie, but I never would be awake at four in the morning.
Eli pulls his shades down and grins. “You ready?”
That’s a loaded question. I’m ready in terms of being dressed, but ready to go on a date with him? No, not even a little bit. I’m not ready for any of this. I’m terrified of what today could lead to.
However, I’m more afraid of walking away and regretting this moment.
Instead of telling him any of that, I nod. “I am.”
“Good.”
“Can you tell me where we’re going?” This is the only part of this whole thing that has me mystified.
“Nope,” Eli says, his eyes dancing with mischief.
“Okay,” I draw out the last syllable. “What do I need to bring?”
“Nothing.”
This is so not how I function, but I’ve decided to go with him today, so I need to let it go. I grab my purse, leaving my gun in the safe, and try not to get lost in his smile.
He holds his hand out, and I take it, knowing that today, I’m going to let him lead.
The black Bentley is nowhere to be seen. Today, he walks me to a gray Audi Q5 sitting in front of the house. He opens the door, and I climb in. When he sits beside me, I can’t help but look at him again.
His scruff is growing in, giving him a darker look than the first time we met. I like this so much more.
Eli’s head turns, and I quickly look away. When my eyes shift back again, it’s clear he caught me.
“So, how many cars do you have?” I ask after the silence between us has stretched to almost uncomfortable.
“A few.”
“A few like three or a few like thirty?”
Eli smiles, focusing on the road. “Somewhere in the middle of that.”
I shouldn’t be surprised, his net worth is on Wikipedia, but still. It’s hard to comprehend that he makes my yearly salary in a week.