“And I’m what—chopped liver?” I teased, though it was no laughing matter.
Christine was merely echoing some of my own insecurities. Ones Preston had tried to dismiss, yet I continued to cling to the notion that people wouldn’t support our relationship. That there would be whispers behind our backs or snide remarks.
I’d worked too long and too hard to have people focus more on my personal life than my reputation as one of LA’s top real estate agents, and now brokers. I’d earned that respect, and I wasn’t going to give up now.
“Of course not.” Christine placed her hand on my thigh. “Alexis. You know how much I respect and admire you.”
At the moment, it felt more like hollow platitudes meant to placate her employer. But I was the boss, and I had a reputation to uphold. I had people relying on me—clients, employees, staff. Not to mention Sophia.
This thing with Preston was supposed to be a fling, nothing more. But I hadn’t had this much fun in, well, years. I felt like I was finally living again—spending time with Sophia, going to the aquarium without thinking about work, movie nights sans my phone.
But now, I was paying the price. I’d missed calls, texts, and emails…potential sales because I’d been distracted.
I could fix these issues. Iwouldfix them. But now, more than ever, I needed Preston’s help with Sophia. And this was why I didn’t mix business with pleasure. Because things could get messy.
Chapter Eighteen
“Hey. How was your day?” I kissed Alexis on the cheek when she returned home from work later that week.
She’d apologized for snapping at me in front of Christine, and I’d forgiven her. Still, I sensed that she was pulling away, and I couldn’t deny that it stung.
It was typical. Frustrating. Every time I thought she was letting me in, she stepped back. She clammed up. I knew she was busy at work, but still…I didn’t know what more I could do to show her that I was there for her, that I loved her.
Alexis let out a deep sigh. “Long.”
“I can show you something else that’s long.” I waggled my eyebrows, hoping my cheesy innuendo would help her relax and take her mind off work. If nothing else, I knew she couldn’t deny our connection.
But she didn’t bite.
“Where’s Sophia?” She glanced around.
“Over at Brooklyn’s,” I said, gripping her hips. “And I’m pretty sure you’ll be getting a call in the next thirty minutes asking if she can spend the night.” I chuckled.
She smirked, and I could feel my shoulders relax at that small gesture. “I’m pretty sure you’re right. Those two are as thick as thieves.”
“So…I was kind of hoping you’d go out with me tonight, seeing as we have a babysitter.” I grinned. “And tomorrow’s your day off.”
“Tonight?” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “I don’t know. I have a lot of work to do.”
“You’ve been working so hard lately, you deserve a break,” I said, hoping to entice her to take one night off.
Instead, she stiffened, stepping out of my touch. “No.” Her voice was hard. “That’s part of the reason I’m in this mess, trying to put out all these fires—because I took time off.”
I stared at her. She couldn’t be serious. “You took one day to go to the aquarium.One.”
“Plus, all the time I usually spend answering emails at night, plus my days off.”
“Then they’re not really days off if you spend most of your time working,” I teased.
Her expression hardened. “You might not understand, but there are a lot of people who depend on me—clients, agents, employees, Sophia, even you. I don’t get a salary. If I don’t work, if I don’t answer emails and make phone calls and follow up, I don’t get paid.” She enunciated the last words.
“I understand that.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I understand the pressure of needing to make money.”
She leaned forward, her expression hard. “Do you?”
I gnashed my teeth, but then I had another thought.What was this really about?Because it seemed like more than the normal stress related to work. I’d seen her negotiate multimillion-dollar deals without breaking a sweat. I’d watched her dress down a contractor without losing her cool. And I knew she thrived on the energy and the excitement of her job.
“Yes.” I stepped closer, not wanting to get into a fight. Not when we finally had a night alone together. “I do,” I murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I also know that everyone needs time to decompress, to have fun. Even—” I held a finger to her lips when she opened her mouth to protest “—you.”
