I nodded. In any other context, I’d make my argument to the counter—explain that more than half our sponsors were family brands that’d drop us like we were hot if I tried anything like he was suggesting. But I knew it was easier to play nice and survive these conversations. Fighting back just dragged it out.
My mom pursed her lips a few minutes after my dad trailed off from making his points. “I know that Trish woman made some mistakes, but it really was the last time I saw you happy. Have you ever considered trying to work things out with her?”
I felt my nostrils flare. My parents both knew enough to know how insulting it was to suggest I’d ever try to patch things up with Trish. I knew better, but I couldn’t stop myself from speaking my mind.
“No. Trish was the worst thing that ever happened to me. I’d rather die alone and childless than so much as speak to her again.”
My mom tutted. “Now you’re just being dramatic. You two fought. It’s what couples do. You know your father and I fight all the time. Just yesterday he didn’t believe me when I said it was going to be cold this winter. But the love bugs came out in force right on schedule, and that always means it’s going to be a long, cold winter.”
My dad groaned. “You say that every year.”
“And what happened two years ago? I was right, wasn’t I?”
“You say it every year and you’re bound to be right sometimes. What about last year? Hm? Was that a long, cold winter?”
“See?” My mom said, pointing to my dad who was still waiting for an answer. “But we got along well enough to make two wonderful children.”
I forced a smile. The rules were different with my parents. I tried to be civil. I tried to play nice. So I shut my mouth and let my mom continue trying to encourage me to go out and impregnate the nearest willing woman.
Shortly after our lunch came, there was a slight commotion among the other people sitting near our table. A group of women got up, rushing to pull out their cameras.
I looked to see what was going on and spotted Chelsea walking arm in arm with Tia Klein.
Holy shit. She actually pulled it off?
Chelsea stopped near our table as Tia finished signing a few autographs and snapping pictures with some of her fans. She gave me a smug wiggle of her eyebrows. “His majesty asks, and he receives.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll admit I’m slightly impressed. How did you pull that off?”
“I promised her you’d take her on a date.”
My stomach went ice cold. “You… what?”
Chelsea shrugged. “I figured there was no way you’d actually let it happen, so no harm done. But I assumed you wouldn’t send such an urgent text if you didn’t really, really need her here. Good luck, boss.” Chelsea waved over her shoulder and left. She actually walked away, and I was struck by how she might as well be the character in a movie with sunglasses on who walks away from explosions without looking. Because there was sure as hell about to be an explosion.
My parents went as quiet as starstruck children when Tia came to sit at our table. My mom was probably trying to figure out if Tia was fertile, and my dad was probably wondering if I could sign her to propel my business “to new heights,” which was one of his favorite catchphrases. My dad also ran a lawn mowing business, but if you listened to him, he was the Wolf of Wallstreet when it came to business decisions.
Tia was dressed in athletic gear that highlighted her fit body. She was wearing a sports bra that showed off her cleavage and also left her entire, toned midriff bare. “Chelsea tells me you’re finally going to take me on that date I’ve been wanting. I was in the middle of a conditioning session, but for you, I’ll make it up later.”
I thought about the smug look on Chelsea’s face and her blind certainty that I’d turn Tia down. She thought she was setting me up for disaster, and she was proud as hell of herself for it.
I had to weigh my options. I could turn down Tia and risk a fragile new relationship with my best bet at a replacement for my brother if he went off the rails. Or… I could go on the damn date and enjoy every moment of watching Chelsea squirm.
It should’ve been an easy choice, but for some reason, the idea of potentially sleeping with Tia felt wrong. I kept imagining how Chelsea would feel, which was ridiculous.
I wasn’t obligated to protect her. The only legitimate reason to avoid the date would be the obvious conflict with my policy of keeping work and relationships as far apart as possible. The scars Trish left were still fresh enough in my mind to tell me exactly why I should respect that policy.
But this was just a date.
Tia was still waiting, patiently watching me for an answer. I leaned back in my chair and shrugged. “Sure. One date can’t hurt.”
There. Is that what you really wanted, Chelsea? Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel like what I want.
14
Chelsea
One of the worst things about being a smart woman is having the full mental capacity to realize when you’ve been an idiot.
I’d watched Tia Klein flirt with Damon and felt an irrational jealous bite in the center of my soul. Again, it was one of those moments where I was smart enough to know I was being stupid. Or so I’d thought.
I assumed my little
