Mr. Big Shot: An Enemies To Lovers Romance (Kinda Cocky Book 1), стр. 16

I set the plate of food on the kitchen counter near the percolating coffee. For all of the new appliances in my place, there was nothing like a good, old fashioned coffee pot. I picked up a slice of cheese as I watched the dark brew pour into the glass structure. I nibbled on a cracker as I reached for a mug in the cabinet in front of me. The cabinet squeaked, making me wince. And I made a mental note to take a look at it later that evening.

Once I was done working.

When are you ever done working?

I pushed the voice out of my head. I didn’t need it’s bullshit right now. What I needed was to focus on something else--anything else--other than that glorious woman from last night. After the coffee finished up, I poured myself a big mug and took everything to the kitchen table. With the plate in front of me and my coffee steaming at my side, I went in search of my laptop. I was trying to be ready to sink my teeth into yet another day.

But, I couldn’t focus on my work.

Workout. I need a nice, good workout.

I abandoned everything at the table and made my way through the living room to my left. While walking down a small hallway, my bare feet falling against the cool marble flooring. I threw the door open at the end of the hall, and walked into the sunroom on the far end of my house. As I closed the door behind me, I stripped myself out of yesterday’s suit, before heading over to the closet in the corner.

I changed into some running clothes and slipped on some sneakers. The treadmill was calling my name, and I figured a good sweat would strip me of her scent. That damn perfume followed me everywhere. It got beneath my nose and drew me all the way into her bed last night. I had to erase it. I had to get it to go away. I had to focus on something else--anything else--before I did something stupid.

Like going back over to her house.

“Come on, Zane. Focus,” I murmured.

I started out with a soft warm-up before cranking up the speed. With my phone hooked up to the treadmill’s charger, I set it off to the side. Just in case anyone called, I slipped my Bluetooth in my ear and focused my eyes out the windows.

Clocking everything I had to do with my backyard.

The weeds need to be pulled. And that grass needs mowing. The tomatoes look pretty nice, too. And I need to pick some blackberries for Brenden’s water.

I made a mental list as my heart rate picked up. As sweat dripped down the nape of my neck. My legs fell numb with the repetitive motion, and I settled into a nice rhythm. Everything synced up. I felt my old self slowly creeping out of the hazy mire from last night.

Then, my Bluetooth rang in my ear. I pressed the button to pick it up. “This is Zane.”

Brenden chuckled. “At it again on the treadmill?”

“Every morning, if I can stand it,” I said, panting for air.

“Well, you don't need to do much talking anyway. Though, I do want to know where the hell you disappeared to last night.”

“You sound hungover.”

“Because I am. We did a hell of a lot of drinking last night.”

I shook my head. “Amendment. You did a hell of a lot of drinking last night.”

Brenden snickered. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. So, where in the world did you disappear to? One second, you’re talking to Karina, and the next, you’re gone. What gives?”

Karina! That’s her name! “You know what I was dealing with in terms of Mr. Walsh.”

“Is that who was bugging you on your phone last night? Dude, why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped.”

I lifted a brow. “Because you were too busy macking on Kelly. What happened? The girlfriend didn’t want to join you?”

“What girlfriend?”

I rolled my eyes. “Anyway. I was dealing with that shitshow. But, I finally caught him in his own web.”

“Wait. You closed the deal?”

I panted harder. “And got him for breach of contract. Turns out, Mrs. Daily wasn’t even aware he and I were negotiating.”

“What!?”

“Yep. So, Mr. Walsh is out in order to save face in the realty world, and we’re working directly with Mrs. Daily on this.”

“Please tell me you’re getting that man new paperwork to sign.”

“Our lawyer’s already on it.”

Brenden chuckled. “Well, you were a busy fucking bee last night.”

“Yep.”

“You know that shit’s going to scare women away, though. No one likes a man who can’t have fun.”

I shrugged. “Maybe step up and do a bit of work yourself.”

“Hey. I resent that, you know. I’m the one that travels and finds all this shit in the first place.”

“Yep. And your traveling is a perfect excuse to take your girlfriends with you in the process.”

“Just because I know how to enjoy my life doesn’t mean--.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. But that’s what happened last night. A lot of shit, but it all worked out in the end.”

“Glad to hear it. I was getting tired of that man’s emails.”

I huffed. “Wait, he was emailing you, too?”

“I’m pretty sure Mr. Walsh was emailing everyone. Even my secretary was growing resentful of the guy.” Branden laughed.

“No shit.”

“Uh-huh. He’s a mess, and I’m glad to almost be done with him. Oh! Also. Don’t forget about tonight.”

I ticked the speed up a notch. “What’s tonight again?”

“Have mer--seriously? Kelly’s birthday dinner?”

I furrowed my brow. “Not ringing a bell.”

“Well, tough. Because I put that shit on your schedule months ago. Her birthday dinner is tonight at her favorite place. I’ll text you the details. You already RSVP’d--.”

I was panting hard. “Why do I… get the feeling… you did that… for me?”

“Because I did. But that’s beside the point. It’s a Saturday night. You won’t be in the office. Get over yourself.” Brenden gave zero shits about my consent.

“I really need a secretary so I can route all your