Something Wonderful (24 page)

There was a short pause and another text popped up soon after.

Naked.

I’m coming over.

No!!! I’m just kidding. I’m really working! Play with yourself.

I like to play with myself, but I’d rather play with you.

That sounded too flirty and I regretted sending that text. It was just so easy with her, to be me. Before I could delete it, another text popped up. She was fast.

I can play dirty, but I
gotta work.

She just made me miss her even more.

Go out to dinner with me.

Nope!
Gotta work. Lots to read.

Come on. I’m giving you my sexy pout and if you were here, you wouldn’t be able to say no. So either I come to you and let you see my sexy pout while you’re naked or you come meet me for dinner.
Your choice.

There was a pause.

Okay. Where and what time?

I don’t remember how many times I told myself we were just friends, but every time I saw her, she stole a little more of my heart. It wasn’t just that she was super hot; there was more to her. It was so easy to open up with her. She was slowly healing me. The more time I spent with her, the more the memories and pain of Tessa started to fade.

Sitting at the table, I sipped my beer as I waited for Becca. Looking up to the sound of heels clicking softly, I knew it was her. At first, I stared at the amazing vision. With her hair tied behind her and wearing light makeup, she wore tight jeans, a loose black sweater and killer black boots. She looked good enough to eat coming toward me with that smile, cute as a button, but sexy as hell. She was like an angel and a devil sent to undo me.

My libido told me to take her to the nearest restroom, strip her naked, and have my way with her. Taking a deep breath and controlling my urge, I repeatedly told myself that she was just a friend. I needed to behave. Friend…my friend…Jenna’s best friend.

“Hey,” I greeted. Standing up, I embraced her as if she were a delicate flower. Taking a whiff of her perfume, I became dizzy as I fell under her spell. Pulling out the chair for her, I went back to mine.

“Thanks for asking me out to dinner. I would’ve been stuck at home all day. Sometimes I forget to take a break. I have so much to read. But at least I can say I love my job and not many people can say that.”

“I would stay home all day and read about potential book girlfriends if I was an agent myself,” I winked, trying not to offend her. “Better yet, I think you and I would get naked, read a book and act out the parts,” I croaked a laugh.

She gave me a wicked scowl with one eye narrowed at me. Clearly, I wasn’t doing a good job trying to be just a friend. I quickly changed the subject. “You must be starving.” Gliding the menu across the table to her I asked, “What would you like to eat?”

“Want to do family style? My friends and I always do that when we eat Chinese food.”

“Sure. You pick one and I’ll pick three.”

“Hey,” Becca laughed, enjoying the humor.

“Just checking to make sure you’re listening because I think the menu is getting more attention than me.”

“You’re so full of it,” Becca snorted.

“Watch out firecracker, I can give you more than you’re asking for.”

“I bet you can.”

Her sexy, flirty tone caught me off guard.

After waving the waitress over, we placed our order.

“Do you get to see your family often?” I asked, taking a sip from my water glass.

“No. Only like four or maybe six times a year. I always try to stop by to see them during book conventions and holidays. This year was unusual. I didn’t go to them during Christmas because I had just been there a couple of weeks before.

“I see. Well, I’m glad you stayed.”

Becca’s brow lifted. What did I say to make her look a little upset? Was it too much for her to hear that I had a good time with her?

After a while, our food came. Using the serving spoon, I placed some on her plate first, and then mine, as I asked her another question. “Have you lived in San Francisco all of your life?”

“Thanks,” she said, watching me spoon the rest of the food on her plate. “Yes. I lived there growing up, except when I came here for college. How about you?”

“Yes, I’ve lived here pretty much all my life except when I traveled alone around Europe.”

“I see.” She nodded, understanding my reasons. Taking nibbles of food, I watched Becca struggle with her chopsticks like before. It was the cutest thing. Wanting to help her, I got out of my seat and sat on the chair next to hers. When I draped my arms around her, her body stiffened. She was nervous. I loved how I made her nervous.

“It’s like this.” I explained as my fingers rubbed against hers. She felt so soft and she smelled so sweet. Her presence was intoxicating. Uncontrollably, I felt my face dig deeper into her hair. As her hair parted, I wanted only to indulge myself by nuzzling into the side of her exposed neck. Oh God, help me now before I do it.

“I think I got it now,” Becca chuckled, breaking me out of her spell. Then she turned and froze. My lips were a breath away from hers. Remembering how she tasted the night we had sex, I was so tempted to succumb to my desire, but I had to refrain myself. I don’t know how much time had passed, but neither of us spoke as we stared at each other.

Becca’s eyes shifted to my lips and that’s when I almost lost it. I wanted to clear the table with one swipe of my arm, taking her right then and there. I didn’t care who was watching. The thought made me feel guilty. For the first time, it wasn’t just about sex. I was starting to care for Becca in ways I never thought I could again. Tessa’s face appearing in my mind was a sign I wasn’t ready to let her go just yet.

“Would you like some more water?” the waitress asked.

Her interruption felt like she had dumped ice water over my head. It would have been a good idea to help me cool down from this heated feeling.

“Uh…we’re fine,” Becca said, glancing from her glass to mine, noting how filled they were.

Sliding back, I let go of the hold I had on Becca and took some deep breaths. This was harder than I thought it would be. Being just friends was just too difficult. I didn’t know how much longer I could handle it, and I didn’t know how to let Tessa go either.

I
T HAD BEEN SEVERAL
days since Max and I last spoke. They were the longest days of my life. I knew the reason for me was my stubbornness, but what was his reason? I did tell him I needed some time to think, but I really didn’t mean it.

Having a relationship was fairly new to me. I’d dated a handful of guys, but it was difficult for me to open up ever since what happened with my ex. Mostly because I had thought he was the one. He told me he loved me. How can you tell someone you love them and then break their heart into pieces? It destroyed my self-esteem and trust in relationships. Even though part of me believed Max, there was also a part of me that couldn’t.

I knew in order to move on with Max, I had to put the past behind me, but the pain was hard to forget. I wanted him to hurt as much as I was hurting. I wanted him to feel my pain. It was the reason my pride wouldn’t let me call him. The Max I knew would’ve called already. Why didn’t he call? Maybe he finally realized I wasn’t experienced enough and needed someone more mature to handle situations like this.

“Ms. Mefferd.”

“Ms. Mefferd,” the voice said a tad louder, breaking me out of my trance.

I peered up at Mr. Shaw. His green eyes looked concerned. He had called me yesterday and asked me to come in after work. “Yes, Mr. Shaw. I’m sorry. What was the question again?”

“Ms. Mefferd, let me stress again. I asked you to come here to get you ready just in case they call you to testify regarding Max’s character. I’m going to fire away with questions and you may not like what I ask or how I ask it, but you must answer them truthfully. You need to be prepared. They will get nasty. Unless we find some miracle witness against Crystal, in the end it will be her word against Max’s. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I nodded, but I wasn’t. There was something about being in a lawyer’s office that made my pulse race.

“Where did you and Max meet?”

“At Café Express.”

“How long ago?”

“About five months ago.”

“Do you work for his company?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you do there?”

“I work in the publishing department.”

“Isn’t it true that you were promoted from the Customer Relations Department to the Publishing Department?”

“Yes.”

“Was that before or after Maxwell Knight forced you to sleep with him?”

“Excuse me?”

“Was that before or after you slept with him?”

“After, but we were—”

“It was after. So you slept with him with the promise of a bigger and better position?”

“No!” I said loudly. “He didn’t promise anything.”

“He didn’t promise, but he promoted you in exchange for participating in sexual activities with him.”

“That’s not true,” I said aloud again, feeling irate. I knew Mr. Shaw was pressuring me so I could get used to being bombarded like this, but I was fuming inside. I had to learn how to block it out.

“Ms. Mefferd. What kind of car do you drive?”

“A BMW.”

“More specific please.”

“It’s black. The windows are tinted. It has four tires.”

Mr. Shaw’s lips quivered, obviously wanting to laugh, but then he got serious again. “Are you trying to mock my question?”

“No, I wouldn’t. You said to be specific.”

“What model and style?”

“I think it’s a BMW 760.”

“You think? Or you don’t want to say?”

“I just drive the car. I don’t care what kind it is. Why does it matter what kind of car I drive?” I huffed, getting frustrated, and now I had a headache that was getting worse.

“That’s an expensive gift, Ms. Mefferd. The Knight Company maintains the registration, but did you know Ms. Tate received the same gift?”

Blood drained out of my face, and I would swear I was going into shock. I couldn’t speak and I couldn’t move. This newfound information paralyzed me. The fact that Max had given Crystal the same gift was a huge blow. For the first time, I wondered if Max was playing me too, and I hated that this thought even crossed my mind.

“How do you feel?” Mr. Shaw asked with a softer tone. This time his shoulders and his stiffened body relaxed. As for me, I was the opposite.

“Exhausted and frustrated,” I sighed.

“Crystal’s lawyers will come at you fast and hard and even put words in your mouth like how I just did. I know their law firm. They are ruthless and their main goal is to suck every penny they can get from their opposition. This was nothing compared to how they will be. I wanted to give you a taste of what is to come.”

“I didn’t do so well, did I?” After running my fingers through my hair, I massaged my temples.

“Sorry. I know this is difficult, but I need you to come again tomorrow. We don’t have much time. The trial will begin in a few weeks. I’m doing my own investigation, and I have asked Max to give me a list of potential character witnesses. Since you and Max are currently dating, you are probably the most important key to our winning. If you know or hear any information that could be vital for this case, please let me know.”

“Sure, anything I can do to help.” He had no idea Max and I were not currently on speaking terms, and now, knowing he had given Crystal the same car he had given me didn’t make the situation any better. Max probably gave the best to any woman he was in a relationship with. That was the way he was. However, that was the problem. Who is to say I’m not one of the flings he would soon get over, moving on to someone else?

I
COULD TELL
J
ENNA
was suspicious about Matthew and I, but there was nothing to share. Matthew and I were just friends. He wasn’t ready to move on, and though I would be there for him, I wasn’t going to let him take over my heart or my schedule. Who was I kidding? Every time he would text or call to ask me if I could go out, I would put everything aside and take off.