“What do you mean ‘and’? It sounds to me like he’s attracted to you.”

“Don’t be stupid, G. Someone like Simon Young would never be interested in me seriously. He’s a playboy, I’m sure. All rich and powerful men are.”

“Yeah. He is a playboy. According to reports, he has women all over the world and he’s not looking to ever settle down.”

“Good for him. I hope he enjoys all his women because the only thing I’m doing is working for his company. I’m earning a living and starting over. I’m done with rich guys. They’re all alike. Give them money and power and they think they own the world and can treat people poorly.”

“Maybe, but is it really fair to stereotype like that? I mean, just because you wasted six years of your life on Dickwad when I told you from day one he was no good, doesn’t mean all rich men are like that.”

I started to say something about Donovan but stopped myself. I would never listen to her when she talked about Brendon and there was no way she’d listen to me, even though Donovan fit the rich man profile.

“Doesn’t matter. I was fooled once and I won’t be fooled ever again. You know what Brendon did to me, G. You know how he stripped me of everything and anything good about me.” Tears started to form in my eyes.

She got up from the table and wrapped her arms around me, giving me her best friend hug. “I’m sorry, Gabby. I’m so sorry about what he put you through, but him cheating on you and you finding him was the best thing that could’ve happened. Now we’re together again and you’re going to be working for one of the largest and most prestigious companies in the whole world. Everything happens for a reason, babe.” She winked.

Maybe she was right. Hell if I knew. I was just going to take my life one day at a time, but this time, I was doing it the smart way.

“Oh, by the way, I don’t need your car tomorrow. Simon is sending his driver to pick me up.”

She nearly choked on the wine she was sipping. “What? He’s picking you up?”

“Yep. He saw me get into your car and he stopped and asked about it. I told him it was yours and that you were letting me borrow it. He insisted that his driver pick me up tomorrow.”

“Oh, sweetie. You better hang on tight because your life is totally about to change.”

“You’re right; it is, and I’m the one making the changes. Good changes. Changes for me and me only. This is my life, G, and nobody will ever control me again.”

Chapter 8