Chapter 193
**Sara**
Sunlight streamed through the window, making me squint. The golden rays painted patterns across the living room floor, catching dust motes that danced like tiny stars in the morning light.
I stretched lazily on the couch, my coffee cup warming my hands as the morning chill lingered in the air.
Tom sat beside me, his legs propped up on the coffee table, scrolling through his phone.
"Your hair's a mess," he said without looking up.
"Thanks, whose fault is that?" I ran my fingers through my tangled locks, wincing at the knots. "Pretty sure you're the one who wouldn't let me fix it last night."
"Don't remember hearing any complaints at the time." He smirked, taking another sip of his coffee.
I rolled my eyes and drained the last of my cup, setting it on the table with a soft clink. "Keep that smug attitude up; you might not get a repeat performance."
"Empty threats," he said, finishing his coffee and placing his cup beside mine.
"Keep telling yourself that." I stretched my legs across his lap, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun on my face.
Tom traced his fingers along my ankle. "How about we head out today? The weather's perfect for exploring the city."
I shifted, pulling my legs away with reluctance. "Can't. Already made plans to meet a friend."
His eyebrows shot up. "Friend?" The word dripped with suspicion.
"What's with that tone?" I poked his chest with my toe.
"Just curious which friend has stolen you away from me on this beautiful day." He caught my foot, holding it hostage.
"If you must know, I'm meeting Christopher."
Tom's grip tightened slightly. "Christopher?" His voice dropped an octave. "And who exactly is Christopher?"
I bit back a laugh at his obvious jealousy. "Seriously? You're going to get worked up over-"
"I'm not worked up." He crossed his arms. "Just wondering why you are meeting some guy named Christopher."
"Oh my god." I sat up straight. "I'm kidding. I'm meeting Claire."
His shoulders relaxed, but he tried to play it cool. "Claire?"
"Yes, Claire. The one who sent me those lovely photos of Matt's extracurricular activities?"
"Ah, the one who busted your ex."
"The very same. I prefer to think of her as my personal private investigator."
"So you're ditching me for Claire?" Tom's fingers drummed against my ankle. "I thought we could spend the whole day together. I had plans."
I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of plans?"
"Well, there was this little bistro I wanted to take you to. And maybe a walkthrough of that art gallery you mentioned last week. But I guess Claire's more important." He pulled his best-wounded puppy expression.
I laughed and kicked his thigh lightly. "Don't even try that face with me. I need to start job hunting, and Claire's brother knows people in finance."
"We've got three months for that bet, remember?" His hand slid up my calf. "Plenty of time."
"Three months isn't long when you compete against hundreds of fresh graduates." I pulled my legs away and stood up. "Besides, I need a real salary. My savings won't last forever."
"You know," Tom leaned back, spreading his arms across the couch. "I could guarantee you a position at Blackwood Industries. The starting salary would make your head spin."
"Not happening." I gathered our coffee cups and headed to the kitchen. "I told you, I'm doing this on my own."
"Come on, Sara. Think about it-"
"Nope." I dropped the cups in the sink with a clatter. "The whole point is proving I can land a job without your family name attached."
"Stubborn woman." He appeared behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Fine, have it your way. But don't come crying to me when you're unable to find a job that matches your qualifications," he murmured into my hair, his breath warm against my neck.
I turned in his arms, facing him with a challenging smile. "Watch me land something spectacular without your help. Maybe even better than what Blackwood Industries could offer."
"Better than-" Tom's laugh echoed through the kitchen. "Now that's ambitious."
"What can I say? I aim high." I ducked under his arms and headed toward the living room. "And when I win this bet, you'll have plenty of time to think about how wrong you were. One whole month, actually."
He groaned. "Don't remind me. I still can't believe I agreed to that."
"Having second thoughts? Worried about surviving without-"
"Not at all. Just thinking about what I'll have you do when you lose. A whole week of following my every command..." He stepped into the living room behind me, his footsteps deliberately slow and measured.
I turned back and stared at him, my heart beating at the predatory gleam in his eyes. The confidence in his stance made me wonder if I'd bitten off more than I could chew with this bet.
"Dream on, Tom. The only one suffering will be you, alone in your big empty bed, counting down thirty very long days." I injected as much bravado into my voice as I could muster, even as doubt crept along the edges of my mind.
"You realize you'd be punishing yourself too, right?"
"Worth it to prove you wrong. Besides, I have ways to keep myself entertained."
Tom's jaw dropped. "You wouldn't."
"What? I meant Netflix and ice cream." I blinked innocently. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
Tom's eyes narrowed. "Netflix and ice cream? That's what you're going with?"
"Absolutely." I grinned, watching his face twist with mock outrage.
Tom stalked closer, his steps measured. "You know what? All the best with that Netflix and ice cream plan of yours."
"Thanks, I'll need detailed recommendations for both." I backed away, maintaining eye contact. "I'm thinking of starting with rom-coms, then moving on to action movies. Or maybe horror? Nothing like a good jump scare to keep your mind off... other things."
"You're evil." He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way that made my stomach flip. "Pure evil."
"I prefer strategically minded." I bumped into the wall, trapped between it and Tom's approaching form. "Besides, you started this with your whole 'daddy's company' routine."
"Don't call it that." His nose wrinkled. "Makes it sound weird."
"What? Daddy's company?" I repeated, just to watch him squirm.
"Stop." He pressed his palms against the wall on either side of my head. "We can still go out tonight. After your little networking session with Claire."
I ducked under his arm, escaping his cage. "Sure, but I need to shower and get ready for my meeting first."
"Need any help with that shower?"
"Absolutely not. I'd never make it to meet Claire if you 'helped.'"
"That's kind of the point."
"As tempting as that sounds, I need to swing by my apartment first. Unless you want me to wear the same clothes from yesterday?"
"I don't see the problem." He shrugged.
I shook my head, fighting back a laugh. "Of course, you don't see the problem. But I'm pretty sure showing up in yesterday's clothes might raise a few eyebrows."
"Since when do you care about raised eyebrows?"
"Since I'm trying to network my way into a respectable career." I gathered my purse from the coffee table. "And walking in wearing clothes from last night isn't exactly screaming 'professional material.'"
"Fine, fine. I'll drop you at your place," Tom grumbled, feigning exasperation.
"Sure," I said, rolling my eyes at his dramatics.
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