Her eyes widened with surprise. "Thanks, handsome."
Victoria rolled her eyes as the waitress blew a seductive kiss my way and strutted away. The bass from the music moved our glasses across the table. In unison, we grabbed our drinks to keep them from toppling over.
"Did you really have to tip her so much?" She was irritated, though she tried to hide it. I found it cute.
"I always tip big wherever I go," I told her. "It's a matter of style."
"She looked like she wanted to sleep with you after."
I nodded. "That's because she did."
Victoria snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
I couldn’t hold back my grin. "I'm addictive, that's what I am. I'm like a chocolate craving. You're not getting rid of me until you've had your fill."
She rolled her eyes again. “Don't flatter yourself."
I settled back in my chair and took a sip of my drink, keeping my eyes focused on Victoria. "So, tell me, what brings you to the big city to work for the one and only Christine Finnerman?"
Victoria toyed with her drink. "I've always dreamed of working in fashion since I was a little girl. When I was younger, I would make outfits and wear them, pretending I was on the runway. My mom doesn’t much approve. She thinks I’m making a huge mistake for whatever reason."
"That sucks," I remarked. I was surprised she was being open with me about it, but I liked it.
Victoria nodded. "Yeah. But then she goes on to divorce my father to marry some rich douchebag." She made an angry face. "I'm still pissed off at her about that."
"Who did she marry?"
Victoria shrugged and took a sip of her drink. I tried not to look at her lips wrapped around her straw. "Beats me. I no longer talk to her. We had a huge falling out."
“Sounds like me.”
Victoria was intrigued. "How's that?"
For a moment, I debated on whether to tell her the truth. I’m usually not one to open up so easily.
Screw it, I said to myself.
"My father is a man of voracious appetite. As in, he's never been satisfied being with one woman. He claims he’s done with all of that now, but we’ll see. Anyway, to make a long story short, my mom found out about one of his flings, and she decided to divorce him. Naturally, since we were close, my mother thought I would pressure my dad to hand over his share of the business to her when they split. Instead, I helped my dad buy my mom's cooperation. This infuriated my mother and we grew apart, but I couldn't help it. I'd put too much of myself in the business, and I couldn't see it growing without the both of us. Now . . . I'm having second thoughts about that."
Victoria raised an eyebrow and I proceeded to tell her all about the growing rift between my father and me.
"And the funny thing is," I said when I was finished telling her my story, "he wants me to get my act together when he's been the worst offender of all." I shook my head. "I feel sorry for the woman he married . . . but then again, she probably didn't marry him for his personality."
Victoria stared at me. "What's so bad about it, though? Settling down. I mean, how can it be fun to sleep around all the time?"
Anger twisted my stomach. "I've had a bad relationship in the past that taught me that love is just a made-up notion that’s more trouble than it’s worth."
Damn it. I shouldn't be telling her this.
"I see."
We both stopped speaking and the bass of the music filled in the silence.
"I just don’t see why you would continue doing what you do if you know it effects your company," she said a moment later.
I leaned across the table and looked her straight in the eye. "Because no one tells me what to do."
Victoria stared at me for a long time before saying, "I shouldn't have come."
"Then why did you?"
"I'm not sure. But I wish I hadn't told you anything. You probably have a line of skanks lined up after this."
I shook my head and then downed my drink in one gulp. I let out a satisfied sigh as my throat burned and stood up. I offered my hand to Victoria. "Come, I want to show you something."
She looked at me like I was crazy. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Yeah you are, or you wouldn't have come. Now get up."
A tremble went through her at the authority in my voice and I knew she liked it. Finally, she gave up the act and took my hand, but before she stood up, she asked, "Where are we going?"
I grinned at her and pulled her to her feet. "Some place where you can finish measuring me."
Chapter 7
Victoria
“It’s breathtaking!” I exclaimed as I stepped inside.
I was in Tyler’s ritzy loft overlooking the city, and I was immediately captivated by what was before me. The right side of the apartment had a wall made out of glass that looked out into the shimmering skyline. You could see for what seemed like forever. The view took my breath away.