I nodded, a small smile tugging to one side. “I did.”
For a second, she just stared at me like she couldn’t decide if she was impressed or horrified.
Then I added, unable to help the small grin pulling at my mouth, “But the sex was actually amazing. Best I’ve ever had.”
Her hand smacked my arm before I could dodge.
“See!” she crowed, popping back up to her feet. “I told you! Worth it!”
Her laugh burst out, loud and bright, and I couldn’t help it. I joined in, the sound slipping out easier than it should have.
Bang.
The office door slammed open hard enough to rattle the walls, and both of us turned.
Yendor stormed in, a stack of paperwork and a set of keys hitting the nearest surface with a sharp clatter. His shoulders were tight, movements stiff, like every step was forced.
“Are you still not done with the yellow GT?” he snapped, his eyes narrowing on Lark.
The laughter died instantly.
I wiped my hands slower this time, watching him. “Yeah. Just finished. I’ll bring it around.”
“No need.”
He didn’t look at me as he crossed the space. I scooted the creeper out of his way just as he slid into the driver’s seat, keys already in the ignition. The engine roared to life a second later. The car jerked back harder than necessary, tires biting against the concrete as he pulled it out.
Lark’s hands landed on her hips as she watched him go. “What the hell is his problem?”
I stared after the car a second longer than I meant to, something tight settling in my stomach. “No idea,” I muttered. “But you should probably head out before he decides to take it out on you too.”
She glanced at me, then toward the exit, weighing it before nodding.
“Yeah… fair.”
She grabbed her purse off the floor, already pulling her phone out as she turned back.
“You’re still coming out tonight, right?”
I hesitated.
Images from last night slipped in uninvited. His voice, his hands, the way everything had felt just a little too easy. Heat crept up my neck before I could stop it.
Calix. That alone was enough to make my stomach twist.
I dragged my teeth over my bottom lip and shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
She groaned immediately.
“Viaaa—”
“I’ve got stuff to catch up on,” I cut in, softer but firm. “Tonight’s not a good idea.”
It wasn’t just him. It was everything.
Manshu hadn’t called with his demands yet, which just felt… wrong. I didn't want him to come chasing after me in public if I could avoid it.
I flicked a glance at my phone, and something in my chest tightened further when I found nothing.
