Page 1 of Irresistible
Chapter One
Austin
“Don’t tell me you’re staying late tonight,” groans Rob, leaning over my desk to look at my computer screen. “Seriously, dude? You’re still messing around with the copy for the website? I told you. It’sgood.”
I lean back in my chair and roll my neck in an attempt at relieving the tension that’s built up from endless hours of work. Our company’s success means everything to me. Rob should know that. He’s the goddamn cofounder, after all.
“I’m just making a few tweaks,” I say. “It’s almost there. I won’t stay past six.”
“You better not be bullshitting me,” says Rob.
I look him straight in the eye. “I’m not bullshitting you.”
He narrows his eyes, looking at me carefully to judge whether or not I’m telling him the truth. Rob and I have been best friends since grade school and we can always tell when the other is lying.
“Okay, fine,” he says. “I believe you. But if you’re not working, what are you going to do tonight?”
I shrug. I glance around our small office and notice that everybody else has left. “I dunno. Hit the gym. Maybe grab takeout. Chill out at home.”
“Right,” says Rob. He smirks. “As someone with a toddler, I gotta say…do you evenknowhow good you have it?”
“Hey, youchoseto have a kid, man.”
Robs sighs. “Yeah. Fair enough. I did.”
I laugh. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the antics of a toddler. I’m perfectly fine with going home every night to an empty, quiet bachelor pad. Some people might think it’s sad, being single at thirty-four.But I’ve never been interested in married life or being a dad.
“Hey, by the way,” says Rob, straightening up and drumming his fingers on my desk. “Have you decided about tomorrow?”
Tomorrow? Oh. Right. Shit. I’d completely forgotten about the invitation that Rob extended to me to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Normally, I’d head back home, too, to see my folks, but they’re in Europe on vacation right now.A few weeks ago, when Rob found out, he extended his invitation. Not just to spend it with him and his wife and kid—but with his parents and sister, too.
It’s nice as hell for Rob to invite me along. But I’ll be fine on my own.
“Yeah…I’m just going to hang out here,” I say. “Thanks, though. I appreciate it.”
Rob looks disappointed. “Oh, come on. Why don’t you want to come? My mom cooks a mean turkey.”
“I’m sure she does, but…”
“Come on. Just say yes, man.”
I smirk. “You don’t take no for an answer, do you?”
Rob smiles guiltily. “I might have already told my parents you were coming.”
I groan. “Goddamn it.”
“Sorry. Look, if you really don’t want to come, I can tell them I misunderstood.”
“You’re fucking manipulative, you know that?” I grumble. I sigh. I hate the idea of his parents thinking I backed out. They’re sweet people. “Fine. I’ll come.”
“Awesome.” Rob grins. “We can pick you up tomorrow morning. Ididmention we’re going up for two nights, right? You’re cool with that?”
Fuck. Of course he would remind me about thatafterI agreed to go with him.
“You know, on second thought…” I say.
“Nope. You already said yes.” Rob grins. “Come on. Suck it up. My family’s not bad. My parents aren’t crazy. My sister’s even tolerable. You remember her, right?”