I get up, and rest a hand on her shoulder as I pass. I lean in, close enough to get a lungful of her perfume, something spicy and fresh. “Just so you know, the offer still stands,” I murmur in her ear. “You let me know if you ever feel the need to explore.”
“Explore what?” Shelby interrupts us, coming over. She looks between us. “How exactly are you putting Cash’s mind to work? It’s really only good for one thing. Also, does using Cash have anything to do with Mr. Fuckable?” Shelby leans forward, innocent smile in place.
Busted.
Savannah looks away, letting her curls fall over her face to hide the rising color in her cheeks. Shelby’s involvement tips off the rest of my makeshift family to drop in on our conversation. They all crowd over.
“Cash, I can’t believe you let some guy do that to Savannah at your bar,” Cassie says, jumping to Savannah’s defense. “You should have kicked his ass.” Yes, please keep thinking it was someone else. I don’t want to expose who we are really talking about here.
“It was just an offer, no need to panic,” Savannah says. “I can handle myself. I’m a grown woman.”
“Nope, you’re not escaping that easy,” Shelby says. I glare at her. She may not be my sister, but I will not hesitate to bust her balls about this. “Cash, did you make an indecent offer to our girl Savannah? An offer like that sounds exactly like your MO.”
“Who’s being offered up?” Ruby asks. She’s come back for chips. The girl could snack for days and she’d still never gain a pound. “And to whom are we offering them? And for what?”
“Nothing,” Savannah and I both say.
“I have one word for you, Cash,” Cassie says from the comfort and protection of Ryder’s lap.
“What’s that, darlin’?” I ask, turning up the charm. “You finally realize you took up with the wrong partner? I promise, you will hate my apartment, but enjoy everything else.”
Savannah kicks me under the table. Was she kicking me because I was offering something to her off-the-market friend, or because she considers me hers?
“No,” Cassie says.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“Exactly what you think it means: stay away from my best friend.” Cassie knows. She’s too sharp for her own good sometimes.
“The best friend is right here,” Savannah says, rolling her eyes. “And my reply hasn’t exactly changed in the last twelve hours.”
“You did proposition Savannah!” Ruby exclaims, putting two and two together for anyone who hadn’t done the math.
No point in trying to put the cat back in the bag now.
“It only seemed polite,” I shrug. “And how did this get to be everyone else’s business anyway?”.
“Exactly!” Savannah cries. “Before you get all defensive, Cassie, I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”
“Are you sure? ‘Cause if this guy bothers you –” Ryder points to me, and I throw my hands up.
“Your concern is appreciated but not needed,” Savannah grinds out. “If I want to screw your bartender, Ryder, I will, and it will be none of your concern.”
BOOM. With that little bomb, Savannah has successfully shut up everyone in the room.
“Savannah—” Cassie starts.
“Cassie, it’s my life, and if I ask Cash to fuck me senseless that is my business.” She looks me dead in the eye and all at once I’m more certain than ever that she’s not playing anymore.
I’m gonna need a stronger drink.
CHAPTER FIVE
Savannah
Tonight is it. I’m either going to clinch the head of my department or I’m going to end up staying put for another year. Or two. Hell, I’ll probably be the same associate until I retire if I don’t land this.
The ballroom at the Intercontinental is full of the best entertainment Atlanta has to offer. Plenty of small time actors about to make it big, and the music scene goes on for days. I take a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and casually survey my chances of landing a big, new client tonight.
For once, my evening is looking up.
“There you are,” Thomas says, parting the crowd to find me, an imposing figure with his slick cut suits. His skin is dark brown, and he’s just as likely to bandage your scrapes as he is to take you down over a contract. Thomas Briggs is the good half of where I work, and if it were up to him I’d be made partner. But he’s got to contend with Meyers, and Meyers would prefer that women stay home, barefoot and pregnant.
The only reason I’m still at the firm is because Briggs insists on it.
“Where have you been?” he chides me, not unkindly. “Maxwell has been here for an hour, wooing potential clients. You need to sign someone tonight—and someone big.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ve got it covered.” I smile, hoping I sound confident.
As long as Rob’s intel is correct, tonight is already in the bag, and I trust Rob with my life.
“Are you sure?” Thomas prods gently.