Page 5 of Maxim
The following morning, after virtually no sleep, I dragged my weary ass into the office, fully expecting to find Rick waiting for me with a bunch of flowers and his usual bullshit apology.
But he wasn’t there.
Two hours later, I heard on the office grapevine that he’d handed in his notice. Via email.
It took a month before I stopped having panic attacks every time my phone pinged with a notification or an unknown number called. It was six months before I accepted I was free of him.
I haven’t been on another date since Rick. After falling for his charming act, I don’t trust myself with men. The risk I’ll end up with another narcissistic psychopath is too great.
I can’t go through that again. Rick came close to breaking me. If I meet another man like him, I’m not sure I’ll have the strength to survive this time.
“You OK?” Jane knows me better than most. She was there to pick up the pieces after Rick.
“Yeah, just tired.” It’s not a lie; I’m exhausted. I love my job but chasing leads all over the place alongside my usual work is taking its toll. My editor agreed I could work on it but he won’t wait forever.
“You need to get laid, babe.”
I snort. “Nope. My trusty Magic Wand is the only boyfriend I need these days.”
Jane sighs, ignoring the guy desperately trying to attract her attention. “I’m all for battery-operated boyfriends, but the aftercare is lacking. You need a man. Someone to spoil you.”
“I don’t trust myself.” I curse the drink I just guzzled. The alcohol has lowered my walls just enough for the uncomfortable truth to slip out.
Jane grabs my hand and squeezes. “Not all men are like Rick, Nat. There are some good ones out there. You just need to be open to finding them, and working your ass off every goddamn night isn’t the best way to do that!”
She’s right. I know she is. But still… I’m scared.
Scared of meeting Rick 2.0.
An image of the other man that night in the bar materializes in my head.
The way he asked me if I was OK like he gave a shit.
The memory of him brushing my tears away triggers a sudden burst of heat in my core. Which is fucking ridiculous. I have no idea who he was. Instead of waiting for him, like he asked, I ran.
As I’ve not seen him since that night, he was probably just passing through, perhaps on business.
“Let’s dance.” Jane puts her glass down as an upbeat track, one we both love, starts playing through the hidden speakers. She pulls me up and we head to the small dance floor, where dozens of other drunken patrons are moving to the beat.
Music is the best way I know to get out of my head, and I need that.
Chapter four
Max
A crowded bar is not usually where I like to spend my evenings, but I’ve been insanely busy for the last month dealing with some bullshit and I needed to get out of my apartment. This place serves the brand of vodka I like, and it’s a good opportunity to pick up a woman for the night.
There is no shortage of available females here. Young, not so young: I have my pick of the crop. From the moment I walked in, female eyes snagged on my designer suit, Rolex, and devilish smile.
OK, I lied about the smile.
Smiling is for losers.
But the rest is on point.
The brunette sidling up to me in a skin-tight red dress is easy on the eye. She’s slim, with long legs, and pretty blue eyes. Yet… I feel nothing.
Haven’t done for months.