Page 34 (1/1)

"It’ll be lance up at the sound of a knock onthe box underin the doorway "Sorry to cut this short, but sos up before I can say another word and I settle the phone back in the receiver, offering Pilar a polite s is that?" She strides into the roo her like a cloud Her bold choice in dress, in hair and makeup and scent, fits her It’s all a part of her personality, her own brand, she’s told me more than once She wants to be memorable, and she h, where the realness is Who is Pilar really?

"I figured you’d be off toying with Lawrence’s affections," I say, regretting it immediately I sound like a sullen, jealous idiot

"Oh please I can play with both of ly and settles herself in one of the chairs across from my desk "I wanted to talk to you I’ve heard rumors"

I’m instantly wary "What sort of ruht" She iving up that part of the game"

"You wanted reed"

"You should It’s pointless, what you’re doing She’s a little nothing" She flicks her fingers, as if she could dis your time"

"You already told me that Numerous ti to do what I want"

"And what is that? Violet?"

"Does it really oing to doand you’ll do yours" We each want a different outcome She, for whatever twisted reason, wants to take Violet out and I want to take Violet to bed

She pushes her lips into an exaggerated pout "I miss you, Ryder It’s not the same"

I want to roll hts ago, Pilar You act like we haven’t talked intoward thethat faces don "I’m afraid you won’t care aboutto fall for her? And I will always care about you You know this," I reassure her I sound like I’ain I’ve said the sa

"You’ll fall for her Every man see special Just soether The other one is too tough to ly beautiful face of hers, and the oldest one is a complete whorish e of her seat "The Fowler sisters are falling apart Their grandmother and their father will see eventually, and maybe then they’ll let an outsider co you believe you’re the perfect person to do that?" Now I do roll my eyes "Giveway out Focus on doing what you can here and then move on to another coser and better than this"

She reaches out and punches the edge of my desk with her fist, her face full of fury "I want this coh clenched teeth "This is whatelse That they continue to practice such blatant nepotisether is beyond lance at the screen of my desktop, see that I have a new email From Violet I tune out Pilar as she continues her diatribe and read what Violet wrote

Dear Ryder,

I hope you didn’t thinkup on you You mentioned someone had come into your office Well, someone had come into mine, too

If that hadn’t happened, who knohere our conversation could’ve taken us? So these sorts of conversations via the company phone or company email isn’t the smartest route, correct?

So here’s my cell number: (212) 555-2624 You can send yours if you want In fact, I would love it if you did That way if I need anything froard to the new project … you’reI know you’ll showforyou any more details because you’ll just end up jealous You’re a complete asshole when you’re jealous, you know"

I blink Pilar into focus, trying my best to reme over Violet’s email The subtle innuendo wrapped up in a perfect, politely worded package For once I’d love to see the wo blatantly dirty "What?" I ask blankly