He said, “You told me you liked me in business. But my life is more than just business.”

“I know that.”

“So why would you let me go home alone tonight if you like me?”

He was killing her. But she already knew that Ivan had it in him. He knew how to press people’s buttons to get them to move. She had watched him in action all night. Now he was turning his focus in her direction.

She read the situation and said, “I just don’t want to be anybody’s substitute, that’s all.”

He smiled and said, “Oh, so now you’re not good enough? What, I’ma put you back on the bench after the game? You can’t handle being a starter?”

Chris smiled back, knowing that he was wrong. Now he was attacking her ego.

He said, “Shit, if I got my chance to start after watching from the sidelines, I’d take that chance and go to the championship with it. But maybe that’s just me.”

Chris was still standing there in silence on the sidewalk. Either she wanted him or she didn’t. But Ivan was going to make her choose right now. Impulsively.

He said, “But if you don’t want me like that, then go on back home with Audrey. She’s still here.”

It was a big risk to go that hard on the girl. Nevertheless, Ivan was training himself. Business was a hard man’s sport. There was little room for softness. Softness either lost the business or ended up on the liabilities column instead of the assets. And Ivan was only thinking about making money now, the assets.

On Christina’s side, she couldn’t take the rejection from him. What if he meant it? And what if she never got another chance to get that close to him? She was certain that he was on his way up. There was no question about it. So she would hate herself for turning her only opportunity down. But it still felt wrong.

She squirmed and said, “Ivan, I really do like you, but—”

Ivan cut her off with a raised hand and said, “Let me let you go, then.”

Christina stopped and stared at him. “What does that mean?”

Her heart was pounding in her chest. Did I fuck it up? I just don’t…feel sure about it yet, she told herself. I mean, I want to, but…

Ivan told her, “Go on back to Audrey. I’m done.”

His rejection was even stronger now. She could hardly breathe.

She pleaded, “Don’t be that way with me, Ivan. I’m not like that. If I say I’m down with you, I’m down with you to the end.”

Ivan remained as stony as a downtown building with her.

“Well, show me, then.”

The clock stopped ticking. It was all on Christina. She sized up her chances and gave in.