Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(74)

Hiding my fear and worry as best I could, I silently let my breath out as I maintained an interested look.

When they were done with the prolonged hug, she promptly ignored me as she asked, “How is that pet project of yours? Bulls or dogs or something, wasn’t it?”

His face still blank, William nodded. “It is going surprising well, actually. I have five bulls in the major rodeo circuit. By the way, this is my girlfriend Jessica. Jessica, this is Dezeray.”

She looked at me for the first time, taking in my height, my body, my clothes… and finding me wanting. I might as well have been a dirty cockroach. She daintily extended her hand anyway, looking down her nose, and I gently shook it.

She turned away from me without a word.

“When are you going to give up those silly games and focus on business?” she asked William. “I hope you aren’t still riding those animals, Willie! They are positively dangerous. Your family and I wouldn’t want to lose you.”

She wouldn’t want to lose him? She was obviously going to try and get him back, thinking me no contest. Bitch.

But why now? Why wait five years? Why wait until he has someone to turn tricks?

She was right, though. It was obvious she belonged in his world. She knew all their family friends, because they were her family friends as well. She knew William from years ago—this was obviously the long term relationship he was talking about, and he hadn’t been with anyone long-term since, except me. He must still have a deeply embedded candle lit for her, and it could only help her cause.

I had no connections, had a wild streak and no history with money. In a side-by-side comparison, I wasn’t hitting heavy.

“What are you doing these days?” William asked, changing the subject.

“Oh, this and that, as usual. I am currently single again, though not for long probably.” She smiled sensually and gave him a seductive look.

“Are you still helping your dad?”

“Oh God no.” She elegantly waved away the suggestion. “No. I am currently remodeling the house. It is a lot of work to pick out the right color scheme, tiles, drapes. It is a big house so there is a lot to do.” She glanced at me when she spoke of the size, hinting at expense. She knew I wasn’t from wealth.

“And speaking of,” she said, finally turning to me. “What is it you do...Jessica, is it?”

“She wor--”

“Willie, I asked her,” Dezeray said firmly, cutting him off. “Surely such a pretty trophy can speak for herself?”

Did she just say what I think she said? I bet Lump would kick her ass if I asked nicely enough. Hell, I didn't need Lump, I could totally take her!

Dezeray leaned in to me like we were best friends and said softly, “He talks for you as if you weren’t educated.” Her laugh sounded like aluminum falling down stone steps.

I smiled sweetly through clenched teeth. “William, always the gentleman.”

Her smile faltered when I called him by his full name. Taking the slight advantage, I spoke up for myself, as instructed. “I currently work in upper-management in the Finance department for his family’s company. It wasn’t until after I met him and Tom that I learned they owned it.”

Hearing that I actually worked for a living, her smile turned victorious. “She is a factory worker for you, then, William?” She made a mockery of his full name, implying I was a boob for using it.

His eyes clouded over.

I’d just lost the battle. It was inevitable. She obviously didn’t have to work. I did. I had performed so well today, not embarrassing myself once, but I should have known it would eventually come to this. This high-class woman was bringing out the reality of the situation for all to see. I wasn’t even a trophy. I was the rich guy slumming with the hired help. I was exactly what Denise didn’t want for her son.

I wanted to run. To walk from the room and let myself succumb to tears. Instead, I bottled it up for later. I slightly lifted my chin. I might not be good enough for William, but I was good enough for me, and I would not let anyone make a fool of me.

“The finance department works out of an office building,” I responded, not giving William a chance to answer, “but yes, I work for William’s family. I just graduated from UCLA and moved out from California. I could have branched off into acting—I have been in commercials and small roles in films, so it wouldn’t have been a big stretch to break into more mainstream roles, but decided I would rather put my intelligence to use in the work force. I chose a lucrative company growing exponentially within the industry that had sufficient potential for personal as well as business growth. The rest is history in the making.”

I smiled bigly, grabbed William’s arm, and leaned toward him as I pulled his arm so I could kiss him on the cheek. I turned back toward her as if I had actually won this dual. Let people say I was dense and ignorant; I wasn’t going down like a dog that just got kicked.

She’d feel so stupid when Fred bit her in the ass later!

“Anyway, I’ll let you two catch up, okay?” I emphasized complete trust in William with my smile. A trust I would be a fool to feel. “Dezeray, it was really great to meet you. I enjoy meeting people from William’s past! We should do dinner one night.”

With a twinkle in my eye and a hop in my step, I waited for her to nod with a fake smile, slowly turned, and walked to the first familiar faces I saw, which were Adam and Ami.