To the Rude Guy in Apartment Five Page 2

  In other news, I have a date tonight! Yes, this is my first date in a year, and yes, I’m nervous as hell, but I’m going to be a strong, beautiful, confident twenty-eight-year-old and act like I have it going on. Wish me luck!

  XOXO,

  Magnolia

  * * *

  The clock struck 8 a.m. as I stood with my back to the door, heart pounding. Jagger-frigging-Scott had knocked on my door two times in the last five minutes shouting that he had a morning coffee for me.

  As if I would open the door to him again. I wanted to know what the hell was he doing here, but I wasn’t about to ask him and the only other person I could ask wouldn’t want to hear his name.

  I growled at the door and looked down at my watch. I had to leave in 15 minutes or I was going to be late for work. I walked away from the door and towards the mirror that was propped against the wall next to my TV. Living in a studio apartment in San Francisco was not glamorous, and it always made me feel awkward studying my appearance next to the windows that allowed everyone in the next building to see what I was doing. This morning, though, I didn’t care if they watched me practice walking in my brand-new black heels and gray pencil skirt.

  I stared into the mirror and frowned. My blouse was beautiful, but my white bra was clearly visible underneath the thin fabric. I was trying to decide if the effect was chic or cheap. Overall, I thought I looked cute but businesslike, and my hair had really loved the deep conditioning I’d done the night before.

  I was focusing on the stupid details of my appearance to distract myself from the fact that Kingston Jagger Scott was outside my door.

  Had he been as shocked as I’d been when we’d seen each other? I hadn’t seen him since I was 18—ten whole years ago. Of course, he’d looked hotter now than he ever had. I wondered why he’d dropped the Kingston and just went by Jagger now.

  Not that I was going to ask him. I didn’t care.

  He knocked again. I walked over to the door and pressed my hand against the wood as I yawned. I’d had a shitty night’s sleep, remembering his mocking gaze as we’d glared at each other the night before. Of course, I’d gone back and reread his notes. Now that I knew they were from him, they were all so much more interesting. He was such a horn ball—not that I’d been shocked. What had shocked me was the way I’d felt rereading the notes. When I’d first read them, I’d rolled my eyes and shaken my head.

  Last night, my panties had gotten wet.

  I groaned. I was still attracted to Jagger, even though I couldn’t stand him.

  “I heard that Magnolia, I know you’re there,” Jagger said through the door.

  I debated opening the door quickly and slapping him in the face before closing it again. I could imagine the look of shock on his face, but he’d probably laugh and say it turned him on. Jagger Scott was incorrigible.

  “I know you’re home, Magnolia, you can’t hide from me. You never have been able to before.” I could hear him laughing.

  “Go away!” I shouted at the door between us. “I need to head to work and I don’t want to see you or talk to you.”

  “Aw, Magnolia Allen, are you being shy?”

  “Kingston, just leave.”

  “I go by Jagger now.” His voice was cheerful. “I can tell you why if you open the door. I’m sure you’re curious.”

  “I certainly am not.”

  “We don’t have to do this now.” He seemed to be shouting louder now. “Maybe you’d prefer to come into my room naked tonight like—” His words broke off as I swung the door open. He grinned. “I thought that would make you open up the door.”

  “You’re such a pig.” I grabbed the coffee cup out of his hand.

  “I thought you didn’t drink coffee?” He studied my face and then looked over my outfit. “You look nice.” His gaze settled on the outline of my bra. “Very nice.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  “What’s your job?” He paused and then before I could answer he said, “Let me guess, you’re a classy stripper.”

  “Excuse me?” I wanted to throw my coffee in his face.

  “I can see more through that blouse than I could in a wet t-shirt contest.” He grinned at me. “Not only can I see your lacey white bra, I can even see the color of your pointy little nipples.”

  “What?” I ran to the mirror. How could I have missed the fact that my nipples were visible?

  “Got ya.” He chuckled as he walked into my apartment.

  “You can’t see my nipples.” I turned around and glared at him. “You are an asshole.”

  “So you’ve said many times before.” He looked around my apartment. “Cute place.”

  “I never said you could come in.”

  “You never said I couldn’t.” He walked over to me. “So are we going to talk about the elephant in the room or are we going to sweep it under the rug?”

  “Talk about what elephant in the room?”

  “The sexual tension between us.”

  “Sexual tension?” I scowled in outrage, simultaneously wondering if he somehow knew about my naughty dreams last night.

  “Our notes.” He winked at me. “You were practically begging me to come over and give you a quick bang.”

  “A quick bang?”

  “Or a long bang.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind. I’m flexible.”

  “Kingston Jagger Scott, I have no intention of ever banging you,” I huffed and then looked pointedly at my watch. I opened my mouth to tell him to go to hell, but he cut me off.

  “That’s not how it’s always been.” He licked his lips slowly. “I remember one night when you wanted me very badly indeed.”

  “We’re not going to talk about that.” Oh God, I didn’t want to remember that night. Never again in my life. “I have to go to work. It’s my first day, and if I’m late, it’ll be my last.”

  “It’s a bit early to be giving lap dances, isn’t it?” He cocked his head to the side, looking curious.

  “You haven’t grown up at all, have you?” I pointed at him. “Still the same immature Kingston Scott.”

  “Jagger Scott.” He grinned. “Or you can call me King.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “If you want, you can bow down to me right now.” He nodded to the ground. “Or get on your knees. I’d quite like to see you on your knees.”

  “That’s enough, Jagger.” My face was red now. “I’m going to work now, and I need you gone. I also don’t want to see any notes on my door when I get home.”

  “What time do you get home?”

  “Why?”

  “So that I can make sure to greet you personally.” He gave me a confident grin. “I’m guessing the reason you don’t want a note is because you’d rather have me in person. All six feet two inches.”

  “Two inches sounds about right.” I wiggled my pinkie finger. He laughed in my face and then shook his head.

  “Add about six more inches to that two if you’re referring to little King.” He licked his lips. “I could show you now if you want, or later when you get back?”

  “Yeah, right.” I deliberately looked at the front of his pants for a few seconds before moving my eyes back up to his face. Was he really packing eight inches? There was no way. Right? “I don’t want you on my doorstep either.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m positive.” I looked around for my handbag and grabbed it. “Now, I’m leaving. If I’m late for work and get fired on my first day, you’re paying my next month's rent.”

  “What are you willing to do for it?” He winked at me, and I punched him in the arm.

  “You’re such a pig, Jagger.” I snatched up my keys and we headed towards the door.

  “You didn’t use to think that.”

  “I didn’t use to think a lot of things.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “The last time we knew each other, I was young and dumb.”

  “Do you still keep in contact with Doug?” There was genuine curiosity in his voice as he watched me
closing and locking my front door. I dropped my keys at the mention of Doug’s name and my face flamed red. I didn’t want to think about, talk about, or even remember Doug existed.

  “No comment.” I dropped my keys into my handbag. “Goodbye, Jagger.”

  “See you later, Number Four.”

  For one crazy second, I thought he was going to lean over and kiss me. My heart started racing and my skin warmed in anticipation, but instead of kissing me, he gave me a wide smile and dipped his head slightly before heading back to his apartment.

  I held my head up high and hurried down the corridor to the elevator without looking back at him. I was not going to let Jagger get under my skin. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever again.

  Chapter 3

  “Welcome to Cool Credit! How can I help you today?” A beautiful girl with long straight black hair and big brown eyes smiled at me.

  “Hi, I’m Magnolia.”

  “Hi, I’m Jane. How can I help you?”

  “I’m Magnolia Allen.” My smile faltered a little bit. “Today is my first day.”

  “Oh, oops.” She looked down at a sheaf of papers and blushed. “I totally knew that. Sorry. Today is only my second day.”

  “Today is your second day?”

  “Yeah.” She leaned forward and whispered, “It’s all a bit disorganized, to be honest. I’m not really sure what’s going on.”

  “Oh ...” This wasn’t how I wanted to start my first day at a job. “Is Tate Howard around? Maybe I can speak to him.”

  Jane frowned and pursed her lips as I said his name. I was curious what that was about but didn’t ask. I really didn’t need to hear anything bad right now. I’d been so excited yesterday, but now that I was here, I was getting a weird feeling about it.

  “He’ll be out in a few minutes.” Jane stood up and walked around the desk. “I guess today is everyone’s first day.”

  “But you started yesterday?”

  “I got the start date wrong.” She shrugged. “So today I get to play the receptionist.”

  “What exactly is the company?” I kept my voice low, hoping I didn’t sound like an idiot. I mean, who accepts a job without really knowing what the company does?

  “I don’t really know. The office I went through didn’t have many details. Though I was told I was going to be in marketing.”

  “I was told I was going to be a fashion blogger.” I looked around the office and frowned. “But I don’t really get the fashion vibe here.” I stared at the bare white and gray office and bit my lip. “Are the other rooms really bright and full of clothes?” I asked her hopefully.

  Jane just grinned. “Nah, there’s nothing bright and cheerful around here.” She laughed. Her laugh was infectious and I joined in, even though I had no idea what we were laughing about. “This is going to be an adventure for both of us. We’re in the Twilight Zone now, Magnolia.”

  “Yes, we are, Jane.”

  “As they say in Mexico, al mal tiempo, buena cara.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked her. “I’m afraid I don’t speak any Spanish.”

  “To bad weather, we put on a good face.” She smiled. “Something like that. My abuela says it all the time. No matter how bad it turns out to be, at least we have a job.”

  “Uh oh, you’re scaring me.” I smiled to let her know I was joking. Mostly. “Though I’m glad I’m starting with someone like you.” Jane, at least, seemed like someone I could be good friends with. At first, I’d been intimidated by her beauty, thinking she would be some sort of cold bitch, but she was actually cute, warm and funny. I knew we were going to get on well.

  “I’m not the scary one. Wait until you meet, Tate.” She made a face.

  My stomach twisted with nerves. She really wasn’t making our new boss sound like a nice guy.

  “Is he not cool?”

  “Let’s just say, if you offered me a million dollars to spend a week with him one on one, I’d say no.” She grimaced. “And I could really use a million dollars.”

  “Oh, girl.” I laughed. “I’m even more nervous now.”

  “Nervous about what?” A deep voice sounded from behind us and we both jumped before we turned around. A tall man with faded golden blond hair and bright blue eyes smirked at us. “Jane, I thought I told you to come and get me when the new employees arrived.”

  “I was coming,” she protested. He just raised an eyebrow. Jane’s face flushed and she looked annoyed. I wasn’t sure what had gone on the day before, but they really didn’t seem to be getting along.

  “Hi.” I offered my hand to Tate. “I’m Magnolia Allen, the new fashion blogger.”

  “Fashion blogger?” He blinked and looked confused for a few seconds. “Oh, do you blog about fashion on the side?”

  “On the side?” I was confused. “On the side of what?”

  “On the side of your consumer credit code blogging.”

  “Consumer credit code?” I stared at him blankly. What the hell was the consumer credit code?

  “You know how to advise readers on PFDs and dispute letters, correct?”

  I bit my lip. Was he speaking another language? I just stood there, not saying anything and I could see from the look on his face that it was dawning on him that I had no idea what he was talking about.

  “Pay for delete letters to credit cards and collection agencies?” He sighed. “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

  “No …” I mumbled, wondering if I was on the verge of getting fired already.

  “I said this company was a secret, but I had no idea they would send me two worthless people,” he huffed and ran his hand through his hair. “So let me get this right, you know nothing about personal finance, the credit card industry, or collection agencies?”

  “I know that it’s better to have a credit card with a low APR and rewards,” I offered hopefully. “Oh, and that it’s better to pay your balance off in full every month.”

  “That’s the extent of your knowledge?”

  “Yes.” I nodded.

  “Are you even a writer?” He looked suspicious.

  “Yes, I’ve been blogging for five years,” I said. “I thought this job was for fashion blogging. That’s what the employment agency said.” I stared at him accusingly. “I wouldn’t have applied to a job about banking.”

  “Blogging on what sites?” He looked at his watch. “Any national—”

  “No,” I said before he could finish. “I have my own blog. A personal blog.”

  “A personal blog?”

  “It’s called Dear World ...” My voice trailed off. How in the hell was I going to make my blog sound professional? I was hardly about to tell my new boss that I dished about hot sex, lack of sex, losing weight, how I knew I’d gained 20 pounds because my jeans wouldn’t make it past my thighs, my favorite top was so tight I couldn’t breathe, and the cute dress I’d gotten at J. Crew on sale now fit like a short top. Yeah, there was no way I was going to tell him that.

  Jane suddenly spoke up. “Magnolia is what is known as an influencer,” she said.

  “People listen to what she has to say, no matter what she has to say.”

  If I could have hugged her right then and there, I would have.

  “Is that right?” Tate’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Jane. It seemed to me that his gaze rested on her lips a little longer than necessary, but before I could think about it, he looked back at me and continued. “So you’re saying that you can research and learn about the topics I need you to write about? And you can bring millennials to our app and website?”

  “Absolutely,” I lied. I was as much an influencer as my parents’ dog, Duke, was. I had about twenty people that read my blog frequently, and I had less than a hundred followers on Instagram, but I wasn’t going to say that. “I love researching.” Only a half-lie. I did enjoy researching different makeups and clothes. “And I’ve been complimented on my writing.” By my fifth-grade teacher and my mom. “I think once I learn mo
re about the company ...” I let my voice trail off. “It’s all been so secret.”

  “Sorry, it’s all been very private.” He nodded. “That’s how it is in the startup world. Is this the first startup you’ve worked for?”

  “Yes.” I nodded. “I’ve only been in San Francisco for about two months.”

  “Where did you move from?” He glanced at his watch.

  “New York City.”

  “Hm, okay.” He nodded. “Jane, what’s going on with the other employees? Why is everyone else late? They were meant to be here ten minutes ago.”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Howard,” she said sweetly. “If you’ll recall, I only started yesterday. I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “I told you to call me Tate, Ms. Garcia.” He frowned. “Or is it Mrs. Garcia?”

  “You can call me Jane,” she replied. Then she shocked me by adding, “And what’s my role to be, Mr. Howard? Receptionist, marketer, or private dancer for special occasions?”

  My jaw dropped at her words and I made a mental note to ask her what that comment was all about.

  “I told you that was a mistake, Jane.” Tate pressed his lips together and then mumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t quite understand, though I was pretty sure he said something about across his lap. The tension in the air was palpable, and I was debating just leaving and going home, but then I remembered Jagger. Going back and facing him would be worse than whatever mess I now found myself in.

  I was about to ask a question to change the subject, when three women ran into the office, giggling and gasping.

  “Sorry we’re late.” A girl with long red curly hair grinned at us all. “I’m Millie. And this is Birdy, and this is Olivia.” She pointed at a cute blonde woman first, who looked a little nervous, and a smiling, striking black woman who had on a t-shirt that said, “You’re welcome.” I wanted to ask welcome for what, but now didn’t seem like the right time.

  “Hi, Millie. I’m Jane, and that’s Magnolia.”

  “Hi, everyone.” I smiled as well and then looked over at Tate, who had a bemused expression on his face. It struck me that we were five women; had he only hired women?