Chapter 6

• "Lilah, what are you doing here so early?" Tamara asks once she opens the front door.
• "Where do I start?" I walk past her into the house.
• "Maybe you can start by explaining why you are wearing a dinner dress so early in the morning."
• "I spent the night out." I sink into one of the couches in her living room.
• "You spent the night out! Oh my God, it's been so long. I have to ask, with whom?" Tamara asks, getting more excited by the minute. I didn't date much after Beau, so it is no surprise that Tamara is eager to hear about a date.
• "Beau."
• "You had sex with Beau?" Tamara asks, wide-eyed.
• "Of course not; I just spent the night over at his place."
• "How did that happen?"
• "I don't know, but I guess he was called to the restaurant after I passed out."
• "You passed out at a restaurant?"
• "Yeah," I say, staring at Tamara's TV screen.
• "Why are you looking at the TV? It's switched off. Is something on your mind?"
• "Beau kissed me."
• "He did what?"
• "He kissed me." My hands automatically touch my lips. I wet them and swear I can still taste him. I can't believe he kissed me.
• "Why would he kiss you?"
• "That’s the same question I have been asking myself since he did it. It's driving me crazy."
• "There must be an explanation. Beau wouldn’t just kiss you for no reason."
• "I know. You could assume he suddenly wants me back, but I know that's not the case with Beau. He never even liked me, and there is no way in hell I believe he does now."
• "Me either; I can still remember the words he said to you that day."
• "You remember it so well because they were the same words his cousin told you. I still find it strange how they both said the exact same thing when they broke our hearts."
• "Yeah, that's why." Tamara looks lost in her thoughts.
• "What’re you thinking?" I ask, worried something might be wrong.
• Tamara sighs deeply and her shoulders drop before she speaks, "I met with Harvey last week."
• "You saw that monster?"
• Beau had shattered my heart, but what his cousin did to Tamara... Words can't even explain it. He practically took out her heart, cut it up into pieces, and discarded it like it was the most worthless thing in this world.
• "Yes, and you won't believe it, but he is worse than before if that's even possible."
• "Where did you see him?"
• "Remember I told you the restaurant recently got a new owner?"
• "Yes, I recall."
• "Harvey is the new—"
• "He is the new owner." I finish Tamara's sentence for her, already guessing what she will say.
• "Yes."
• "You need to quit; there is no way you can continue working there. He will make things unbearable for you."
• "I wish I could, Lilah, but I can't. It was hard enough to secure the position of manager in that restaurant. I can't just quit."
• "But he will hurt you! I don't want you to get hurt." I feel tears forming in my eyes as I imagine how Harvey will treat Tamara.
• "I know he will, but don't forget this. Your friend is a strong woman. There is nothing Harvey can bring my way that I won't be able to handle. You have nothing to worry about." Tamara wipes a teardrop that must have escaped my eyes without me knowing. I still remember what Tamara went through because of Harvey. I can't imagine her going through the same thing again or something worse. It will kill her.
• "Alright, if you say so but leave if it gets to be too much. I know you need the job but quit if working under him is too stressful. We will find you another job as good as this one."
• "I will."
• Despite her promise, I have a very bad feeling about how this will end.
• ***
• After leaving Tamara’s house, I hail a cab to work. I had showered and borrowed one of her outfits for the day. It's a good thing we are the same size, so I don't have to go home to get ready. I’m wearing brown office pants, a white blouse, and a brown blazer. Unfortunately, Tamara and I aren’t the same shoe size, so I’m still in my black stiletto heels from last night. They’re a little too high for work, but I don't have a choice..
• I smile at Camila's secretary before I step into her office.
• "Good morn—" I stop speaking once I see she’s not alone in her office. I wonder why her secretary didn't warn me. "I am so sorry, Camila. Jessica didn't tell me you were in a meeting," I turn around to leave.
• "No need to leave; we were actually waiting for you to arrive." Camila's words stop me from turning the doorknob.
• "Why? Were we supposed to have a meeting today?" I ask, walking away from the door and back to her desk
• "No, Mr. Williams is actually here to apologize for yesterday."
• "Beau?" I spin the chair around where the person is seated.
• "Hello, darling." That stupid smirk I hate is plastered on his face as he looks at me.
• "Don't call me that. What are you doing here?"
• "Why don't you take a seat, Lilah?" Camila points to the seat next to Beau, using her eyes to plead with me to listen.
• "What exactly is going on?" I ask once I take my seat.
• "Beau came to apologize for missing dinner with you last night. He says your secretary told him it was next Tuesday, not yesterday."
• "Oh." Knowing my secretary, I don't doubt that . The woman is scatterbrained and disorganized, but I can't fire her because she’s my cousin.
• I can't believe I was so pissed off at Beau for standing me up when he didn't. He might be a heartbreaker, but at least he has morals.
• "He also says he will increase the price he is offering to invest."
• "My answer is still no." I don't even bother to ask the amount he is offering.
• "Mr. Williams, do you mind excusing Lilah and me?"
• "Of course not."
• "Thank you, I'll let you know tomorrow if we decide to move forward or not." Camila stands up from her chair to walk Beau out. I look at her like she has two heads. I can't believe she’s even considering his offer. It's like she’s forgetting everything I told her about him.
• "Thank you, Camila." Beau says, standing up from his seat. He buttons his Ralph Lauren suit jacket and turns to face me. "Goodbye, love," Beau says, leaning down and pecking my forehead. What the hell is wrong with him? Has he lost his mind? I'm starting to think he is having some serious mental issues.