Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 25

The passing executives gave me knowing smiles. “Good morning, Mrs. Holcomb,” they greeted respectfully.

“Good morning,” I responded with warm professionalism.

Tracy’s face fell. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she hurried toward the conference room.

Just as I reached my office, Jared emerged from his. His brows furrowed at my outfit–that familiar disapproval flashing across his face.

I ignored him. After last night, I had every right to be cold.

“I’m heading to a meeting,” he said, still making time to ask, “Want to do lunch later?”

I barely glanced back. “No, thanks. I’m having lunch with Melissa.”

Jared wasn’t accustomed to rejection, and my constant refusals clearly irritated him, though he could do little about it.

“Fine,” Jared said curtly before walking away.

I spent the morning handing over duties to the hotel managers, and then met Melissa for an early lunch at eleven.

Melissa kept eyeing every attractive guy in the place, desperately seeking that storybook–perfect romance.

I understood her panic, but kept advising patience.

“Victoria,” she fretted, “I’m 28 now, two years older than you. You’ve got a six–year–old daughter, while I’ve never even held hands. Seriously, what’s kissing like?”

I nearly choked on my coffee. Why was she asking me of all people about kissing?

“Bland and forgettable,” I remarked, lifting my cup.

Just as I finished speaking, a deep male laugh came from the table behind me.

I turned to see a man in a black shirt casually drinking coffee, looking like he was waiting for someone.

man Lloyd had fallen all

here?

too. “Damn, he’s hot,” she mouthed at

couldn’t tell if he was laughing at me or at some

another good–looking guy walked in

packs,” Melissa whispered. “Just like us

back a laugh

attention. He turned and

sending a strange flutter through my chest, like the first

1/3

Chapter 25

question she’d noticed one of the guys behind us. Too

shook my head. “I’m retired from men,” I said. “If

off men completely. But she–never having been with anyone–still clung to her romantic fantasies. The challenge

settling the bill on the way. Coming out, I nearly collided with someone, sending their phone clattering to

crack hit me first. I grabbed

“Damn it,” I hissed.

voice above me said, “Don’t worry. My fault for

voice. Looking up, I found myself staring at our mystery guy from earlier–now

attractive.

Nathan Hallman,” he

paused–I hadn’t asked his

piercing

pay for your cracked screen,” I said,

said quietly.

I said, turning back

the cash I had–about a thousand

gave him the money, he

stared at him. “You already told

I’m the one you

realization dawned. “That was

Nathan nodded. “That’s me.”