Love Like Crazy. Crystal B. Bright

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ was a very nice woman. We only had a few dates before I thought it was best that we keep it casual.”

      Laz understood Bradley’s code of wanting to see other people. At least he hoped this woman got the courtesy of a warning before his father cheated on her.

      “What about you? Please tell me you’re not still seeing that one woman.”

      Laz heard Bradley make a noise that sounded almost like he wanted to vomit. He hated giving the old man news that would make him happy.

      Laz sighed before he spoke. “Erin and I only dated a few times. Nothing serious.”

      The lie sounded better than admitting that Erin had hated the number of hours he devoted to his career than quality time with her. Laz would also keep hidden that his last serious relationship with Erin had occurred over two years ago.

      “Whew. Good. Good,” Bradley said. “You’re young.”

      “Twenty-seven is not young. There’s so much I wanted to have done by now.” Laz would leave out the fact that despite having a bit of his father’s charisma and a need to meet and date every gorgeous woman out there, Laz desired a steady relationship, which to him meant marriage and having a family. Unfortunately, the two didn’t go together.

      Unlike Bradley, Laz saw family as the structure that made him stronger. He wanted to impart that feeling to a wife and children they would raise together. Having a successful career would only help solidify a strong home structure. Too bad Erin didn’t see it that way.

      “Trust me. You have time.” Bradley had a longing in his voice, almost like he regretted the choices he had made. Maybe he didn’t want to have children at all. “Enjoy life. Experience as much as you can. And by experience, I mean—”

      “I get it.”

      He knew his father wanted Laz to have as much sex with as many women as possible. Those actions didn’t exactly fit Laz’s character. He liked getting to know a woman. If in the course of their interaction it led to something more intimate, so be it.

      Instead of getting in an argument with Bradley about his decisions, he continued with their previous conversation.

      “Let’s get back to talking about you. Marissa lives by you and she’s single. Why don’t you two hang?” Laz hated throwing his baby sister under the bus. He needed a break.

      “She’s busy. At least that’s what she tells me when I ask her out to breakfast or lunch.” Bradley sniffed. “And Josie is busy with her family. Again, that’s what she tells me. Flora is too far.”

      “You’re working part-time now. Go visit them and your grandkids.” Laz finished getting dressed.

      “And have them calling me grandpa? That’s okay.”

      Laz shook his head as he reviewed his look before leaving his apartment for—what he hoped—would only be a few days at the most. “Pop, I got to go. When I get a moment, I’ll give you another call.”

      “Sure. Be good, kid.” Bradley ended the call before Laz could get to his phone.

      Laz would load up his rental car just in case he would have to make a road trip, which he hoped he wouldn’t. Not that he wanted to work for Section Eight Records in particular. He just wanted an opportunity.

      He caught a cab to Manhattan. It still surprised him that a record label that named itself after a welfare program would have their headquarters in one of the richest locations in New York.

      Laz approached the building surrounded by glass and chrome. At least the outside looked professional. He straightened his tie and smoothed his hand down the front before he buttoned one button on his jacket.

      As soon as he walked inside, he got hit with a setup that looked like an airport TSA area. A metal detector met him first with armed guards standing on the other side.

      “Put all metal objects in the dish and walk through.” The mountain of a man that spoke didn’t even seem human.

      The impossibly tall white man wore a long, black T-shirt and black jeans along with black combat boots. The hanging badge around his thick neck had been the only clue Laz had about the legitimacy of this whole setup.

      He placed his keys, watch, and change into a dinged-up plastic bowl before he walked through the detector. Laz kept his stare on the big man’s eyes through the trip. He had a feeling that if the alarm had gone off, the guard would have tackled him to the ground. Laz wanted to be on the offensive instead of the defensive.

      Once through the guard gate, he approached the reception desk. A beautiful young woman with stick-straight, black hair kept her face still even as Laz approached. She didn’t even break a smile or introduce herself or the business.

      Laz saw her as a challenge. For all of Bradley’s faults, he had blessed Laz with his gift of charm.

      “I’m here to see Miss Farook, but I was drawn to this spot because of your stunning beauty.” Laz kept his stare on her with his mouth agape. When the woman gave him a suspicious stare, he continued. He scanned the bustling lobby area. “I don’t know how these men”—Laz brought his gaze back to her—“and women haven’t stopped what they’re doing to just look at you all day. I would.” He completed his compliment with a wink.

      He thought he saw a small twitch at the side of her mouth like she wanted to crack her stony exterior and give him the smile he worked hard to get.

      Laz straightened out his tie. “I’m Laz Kyson.” He even extended his hand.

      He assumed that in her position, most people didn’t give her the respect she deserved. As a receptionist, people probably viewed her as a nuisance, someone to get over to get to the top. Laz would treat her like an important part of this process, get people to like him from the ground up.

      The woman did a slow blink that somehow annoyed Laz before she gazed down at a tablet. “Have a seat.”

      “Thank you.” He started to turn but stopped. “Hold on.” He reached forward and with the tip of his middle finger, he managed to collect a small eyelash stuck on her cheek. “Got it. Nothing should take away from your flawless face.” With his finger in front of her face, he leaned forward and smiled. “Eyelash. Make a wish and blow it away.”

      The receptionist wrinkled her brows as she regarded him.

      “And don’t waste your wish on something like wishing someone would appreciate you.” He pointed to himself. “That’s already happened.”

      At that line, she finally snickered.

      Got her!

      She puckered her rich, red, thin lips and blew the black, slender lash from his finger.

      Laz chuckled. “Good things will come your way.” He bowed his head and started to head toward the seating area.

      “Um, would you like something to drink?”

      Laz kept his back to her after he stopped in his trek. He had to get himself together before he addressed her again.

      He СКАЧАТЬ