Chapter 3 - I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In

Willow

Mel, looking as gorgeous as ever, was dressed in a tight red number with mile-high Louboutin's, and she had her blonde hair straightened. If you looked up the word ‘bombshell’ in the dictionary, I’m sure Melissa’s picture would be there.

“Mr Grayson,” I say, still feeling formal when I see him, and he chuckles.

“Please, we're off the clock. Call me Reid.” He says. “I hope you don't mind me being here. Melissa has just helped me put out wildfires, so I want to thank her with a drink.” He finishes then calls a bartender over.

I look at Mel with a raised eyebrow, and she rolls her eyes and makes a vomiting gesture by pointing her finger down her throat.

I giggle, “When did you have time to dress up, though?” I ask, realising that she was out of her work attire.

She shrugs. “I had Matt bring it over while I was at work and got dressed there.” Matt was her twin brother and very much gay.

Reid excuses himself and walks over to another woman on the other side of the room. “Thank God! Ready to get messy?” Mel asks after Reid leaves us, and I nod excitedly.

I cock my head towards the boss baby. “So, what did Reid want this afternoon anyway?” I ask her, remembering how she paled at his number.

She sighs, “Can we NOT talk about that disaster on two legs, please? Fuck, he’s making me hate my job lately.” She says while sipping her Cosmo and looking behind her. I giggle while lifting my Strawberry Daiquiri to my lips, thinking about how no one liked Reid at the office.

“Well, if it’s about the Simons case, I know the feeling. Michael’s a saint, but lately, he’s become snappy as shit with me about this case.” I tell her, and she nods, so I know it must be about the same thing.

“Anyway, tell me more about this book that got rejected by your editor.” She says, finishing her drink in record time and ordering another one.

I laugh, “Easy with the Cosmos, Mel. I don’t wanna have to sling you over my shoulder when we have to leave,” I tell her, but she only sticks her tongue out at me. “So, this rejected novel….” She urges me with the flick of her wrist, but I really didn’t wanna talk about it right now. Knowing Mel, she would nag until I eventually flip out, so I relent.

I wish I didn’t because after I tell her my story synopsis, she stares at me with a blank look in her eyes.

“What?” I ask, only for her to shake her head.

“Girl, I’m gonna have to go with your editor here; that shit sounded awful.” She says, downing her Cosmo. “And I am only saying this because I am your friend and a little tipsy, but you need some man loving in your life.” She says, nearly causing me to spit out my drink.

“ ‘Scuse me?” I exclaim, but she only giggles.

“Willow, your lack of romance is coming through in that story. Love at first sight? Elevator kiss? Obsession? It sounds a bit like 50 Shades if you ask me. I’m guessing the female lead is a virgin?” She says, seeing right through my story.

Pouting and pushing up my glasses, I nod and she raises her glass.

“See? Your story is transparent and will get shut down by your readers. What we need to get you is a man to show you what it means to be loved. You’ve been deprived of the feeling for too long, you know? Your career is already at its peak, and I think what you need right now is romance and confidence in it.” She says. I felt close to tears at her words, but I knew it was the truth. I sigh and feel her wrap her arms around me.

“Sorry if I insulted or offended, babe.” She says with a guilty tone, but I shake my head.

“No, you’re absolutely right. I’ve put my own happiness on the back burner because I love my job so much. Sometimes I crave the feeling of being loved by someone else other than Bootsie,” I say, and she bursts out laughing.

“Well, Bootsie is a beautiful cat,” she says, and we both giggle. I don't mention my so-called 'fling' with Seth at the office because, well, I didn't know what that was anyway. We were attracted to one another, but that was it.

The rest of the evening progresses slowly but uneventfully. Mel and I danced for a while, but I got too tired while she kept at it. I made my way to the bar and ordered what would be my last cocktail for the evening, hopefully. Mel’s words were still on repeat in my head, and they stung. God, did my lack of romance really shine through in my writing?

“Good evening, Miss Creed,” I hear a familiar voice behind me and turn around, nearly falling out of my seat.

“Mr Grayson,” I greet him in an idiotic way again, causing him to chuckle.

Wow, I didn’t know he could smile and WOW even more with those dimples. Why was he looking so sexy this evening? Even the glasses he wore seemed to make him look even sexier.

Fuck, it must be the cocktails.

“Please, I told you to call me by my first name,” he says, taking a seat next to me and ordering a whiskey on ice.

“Reid, then. Thank you for bringing Mel tonight. I didn't expect you to stay this long, though.” I say, and he shrugs.

“Needed to let off some steam. I’m sure you know why.” He says, and I nod; the Simons case had everyone riled up, the Grayson lawyers even more so.

“Ah, understandable,” I say, not knowing what to say to him at all. This would be the third time we’ve spoken in the last few months he has been at the firm, and shit, it was awkward. He was cold and aloof in the office. How do you start a conversation with someone like that?

As if he could pick up on my nervousness, he chuckles then takes a sip of his whiskey.

“Relax, Miss Creed; I won’t bite your head off. Besides, I have a proposition for you.” He says, and I look at him with a frown on my face.

“What would this proposition entail?” I ask, clearly confused at his words.

He shrugs, “I managed to hear your conversation with Melissa about your rejected novel and the lack of romance in your life.” He says, eyeing me with a smirk, and I swear I could have slapped him right there.

I blushed, sitting there with my mouth agape, but he held up his hands in surrender.

“I’m not making fun of you, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. So, here’s my proposition: for the next six months, enter into a so-called ‘romance’ or ‘relationship’ with me where I will show you how romance and love work and in exchange you be my date to my brother’s wedding this coming December.”