Page 21 of Bosses With Benefits

“You disagree with me? Then ask her out yourself,” Michael said. “I don’t mind at all. There. Now you don’t have an excuse not to.”

I didn’t have any intention of asking that woman out, but I considered it for a moment. She was sexy. I’d only been around her for thirty chaotic seconds, but she seemed to have spunk. I liked a girl with an attitude. Not to mention she was a redhead. I definitely had a thing for gingers.

“Okay, maybe I’ll ask her out,” I replied.

“Then do it.”

“I will.”

“Okay then,” Michael said. “Are we playing a game, or not?”

“I just joined the lobby. Looking for a game now.”

The doorbell rang, a four-note chime that echoed through my apartment. Bernie jumped up from my feet and perked up.

“Be right back,” I said, tearing off my headset and hurrying to the door. My apartment had a superintendent who picked up all packages downstairs and then delivered them to each resident later in the day. I couldn’t remember what I was expecting. Probably another expensive bottle of whiskey I had drunk-ordered. I was accumulating quite the collection.

But when I threw open the door, it wasn’t the superintendent. It was a slender woman in a maxi dress and a Louis Vuitton purse under her arm.

“Adriana,” I said. “What are you doing here?”

“The doorman let me in.”

“I asked what, nothow,” I replied.

Her fake eyebrows narrowed angrily. “You’ve been avoiding my calls.”

“Have I?”

“Is that any way to treat your girlfriend?”

I grimaced. “Girlfriend? Is that what we are?”

Her eyes widened. “What wouldyoucall someone you’ve been seeing for three weeks?”

I shrugged. “Temporary bedroom acquaintances?”

“I won’t be treated this way,” she said stubbornly. “Either you commit to a real relationship with me, or we’re through.”

“That!” I said, pointing at her. “I choose the second option.”

For a heartbeat, she looked legitimately shocked. A woman like Adriana had probably never been dumped before. Then she let out a snarl that cut through all her layers of makeup.

“You could never have gotten a woman like me if you didn’t have money.”

“You’re basically calling yourself a prostitute,” I pointed out. “Maybe you should workshop your insults ahead of time?”

Bernie sensed the mood and came over to my side, then let out a single bark. Adriana jumped back and glared at her.

“I hate your stupid dog, too,” she hissed. “She shed all over my coat the last time I was here!”

“At least Bernie is honest about the fact that she’s a bitch,” I replied, closing the door on her. You could insult me all you wanted, but keep my fucking dog out of it.

I listened to her leave, then let out a long sigh. That didn’t go as smoothly as I had planned. It would have been better if she took the hint when I ghosted her. But mostly I felt relieved that it was done. Michael was right about me: I could never keep a girl for longer than a month. I got bored. And I hadn’t found someone who I genuinely wanted to be around for more than a few hours at a time.

“Sorry about that,” I said when I returned to my gaming chair. “Seriously though, this Ginny girl. You ought to ask her out. Or I will.”

Michael laughed. “Shut up and find us a game.”