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.

Lloyd had fallen all over himself to

here?

he’s hot,”

couldn’t tell if he was laughing at

another good–looking guy walked in and joined

packs,” Melissa whispered. “Just

choked back a laugh

He turned and fixed me with an intense

through my chest, like the first note of

1/3

Chapter 25

question she’d noticed one of the guys behind us. Too bad she couldn’t work up the nerve to talk to

“I’m retired from men,” I said. “If

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

way. Coming out, I nearly collided with someone, sending their phone clattering

grabbed the phone, stomach dropping

“Damn it,” I hissed.

said, “Don’t

Looking up, I found myself staring

attractive.

Hallman,” he

hadn’t asked his

with those piercing

I said, focusing more

he said quietly. “I’ll

is,” I said, turning back toward our

I pressed all the cash I had–about a thousand dollars–into his hand.

gave him the money, he caught my hand

stared at him. “You

expression fell. “Victoria, don’t you recognize me? I’m the one you helped

as realization dawned. “That was

Nathan nodded. “That’s me.”