“Believe it or not, but I’m not the same guy I was back in college, Berlin,” he declares. “I’ve grown up a lot.”
“I can see that,” I reply. “So you’ll really speak to the people at Compass?”
He nods. “I will.”
My heart is turning somersaults in my chest, and I realize I may have to re-evaluate my initial impressions of the man. Maybe. He was always clever as a fox, and there’s part of me wondering whether this is just another ploy to get into my pants – to complete the conquest he failed to complete all those years ago.
But then I wonder if it’s conceited of me to even have that thought in the first place. A thousand different thoughts come crashing down on me at once I suddenly start feeling claustrophobic. I need to get out of here. Yeah, this man clouds things up in my head – which tells me he’s dangerous for me, and that I should probably stay well clear of him.
“Well – thank you, Sawyer,” I say. “I really appreciate that.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
A moment of awkward silence passes between us. We’ve apparently run out of things to say. I clear my throat and glance down at my watch. It’s getting late, and I need to get back home to relieve Nadia.
“Anyway, I should get going,” I tell him. “I have some work to do tonight. Thank you – for speaking to the people at Compass. It means a lot.”
“Right. Yeah. It was good seeing you again,” he responds.
“Yeah, you too.”
I grab my bag and turn to leave, but his voice stops me. I turn back around to find him looking at me with an expression of curiosity on his face.
“Hey, let’s get together and catch up,” he adds.
“Uhhh – sure. Yeah.”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket, unlocks it, and punches in a few things before handing it over to me – obviously wanting me to put my number in for him. My smile is weak, but I take his phone and hesitate for a moment. It’s not like we were friends back in college – what is there for us to catch up on? It’s not like we have anything in common or run in the same social circles, and it’s not like we have some shared past between us.
But then I feel caught. I can see that although he’s clearly still smug and arrogant, that he’s matured a bit. I can’t really explain it other than to say that he just seems different. He doesn’t seem like the spoiled little boy anymore – he honestly does seem more like a grown man who’s matured. He just feels more like a guy who – although he obviously still can’t relate to the plight of people not as well off as he – has some hard-won life experience under his belt. He still lacks a certain compassion for regular people, but there is a wisdom I can see in his eyes.
And let’s not forget, he’s doing me a big solid by talking to the people at Compass – or so he says. Part of me is absolutely convinced this is just another ploy, just another tactic he’s employing to get me into bed. But even if he did speak to the people at Compass for me, it’s not like I asked him to do it, which means it’s not like I actually owe him anything.
Regardless of anything else – he and I are of two different worlds. Without even having gone out with him, I feel pretty comfortable saying we have as much in common today as we did back in school – which is to say, nothing. Yeah, he’s absolutely gorgeous, but it’s not like we have some shared connection. I punch in a number and hand the phone back to him with a smile as warm as I can manage.
“Great,” he flashes me a million-dollar grin. “I’ll call you.”
“Terrific. I’ll look forward to it.”
Chapter Four Sawyer
“Berlin Roth,” Rider says. “She grew up pretty nice.”
“You’re not lying,” I laugh.
Back in college, Berlin was a beautiful girl. But she’s grown into a woman who is absolutely stunning. Her hair is the same shade of black, and her eyes are a shade of blue so light; they almost look silver. And the smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose gives her a wholesome, girl next door appeal. Berlin’s skin is so fair she looks like she was carved from alabaster, and she’s got the most tantalizing curves – full hips, full breasts, and a perfectly round ass that is absolutely amazing.
Back then, she definitely had that hot nerd girl vibe going on. Today, she carries an air of refinement and sophistication that’s tantalizing. One thing that hasn’t changed is that she’s still so independent and passionate – which is like catnip to me. She’s still that sexy nerd, but she’s grown into so much more than that. Rider is far from wrong in saying she grew up nice.
“Man, how long has it been?” Rider muses.
“What, seven or eight years maybe?” I ponder. “It’s been a while.”
Rider and I are sitting in our usual haunt, a pub near the office called Roosevelt’s. It’s an upscale pub done in highly polished oak and brass and has a very old-time feel to it that harkens back to the days of the Roaring Twenties. They’re well known for the craft beers they brew and a creative appetizer menu that helps make them a popular spot for the city’s movers and shakers.
I haven’t seen Berlin since college, and if I’m being honest, I’d all but forgotten about her. At least, until I saw her in the borough board room tonight. The second I saw her, I remembered her instantly, and a moment after that, everything came rushing back to me – like
