I curled my arms around her from behind. “That’s one of the advantages of bangin’ the boss, baby. You can take an extra-long lunch break any time you want.”
She tensed in my arms. “Is that what I’m doing… banging my boss?”
Poor choice of words. This wasn’t a power play and I didn’t want to make it seem like I was trying to exert any control over her or our situation, but I had a feeling that wasn’t her problem. She didn’t appreciate me diminishing what we had, but this wasn’t the time or place to talk about it.
I stood up. “You know I’m just joking. That sandwich looks good. I think I’ll go make myself one. You want anything else?”
She shook her head before glancing back at me. “Has my sister told you about the birthday party she has planned for Knox when they get back?”
I nodded. “Yeah, she sent out invites. I got mine yesterday. Should be fun, right?”
“I think so.” She was biting her lip and I could tell she wanted to say more. “You taking a date?”
Shit. I hadn’t even thought about that. “Uh, no.” I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to find a way out of this without offending her. No way could I show up there with Charli on my arm. Not after the wedding fiasco. “Why?”
She looked a little stunned before shaking her head. “No reason, just curious.”
“I don’t think we’re ready for that, do you? Being seen together in public?” I tried to ignore the flash of hurt in her eyes, but it wasn’t easy. “I mean, that’s what this whole ruse was about, right? Throwing people off our scent.”
“Ruse,” she repeated. “You mean me living here with you? Working for you?”
I knew there was no right answer to this question. I should probably just keep my mouth shut and walk away, but she deserved to know where my head was at. “When we’re together, obviously it’s real. I mean…” I gestured between us. “I’m not playin’ about that. Everything I say to you, I mean.”
“But…?”
“It’s still… new, right? We have no idea where this is going. Or whether we even want it to go anywhere.” Logically, everything I said made sense, but there was a voice screamingidiotin my head.
She stared at the screen in front of her, biting the inside of her cheek. “Right.”
I could tell I hurt her and that hadn’t been my intent. But I’d made so many mistakes in the past because I’d let women pressure me into a commitment before I was ready. I couldn’t go there with Charli.
“Hey,” I said, reaching her hand. “Please don’t be pissed. I think we’ve got a good thing going here. Don’t you?”
“I don’t know what to think,” she said, softly. “Yesterday I was ready to write you off. But last night I thought we had a breakthrough or something. Now?” She shrugged. “I’m not sure what to think, honestly.”
My heart started beating faster as I processed her words. Write me off? She couldn’t do that. I couldn’t let her.
“Char—”
She raised her hand. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say another word.”
Chapter 17
Charli
Iwas helping my sister set up for Knox’s surprise party while Dade, Archer, and Reed kept the guest of honor busy. I was thrilled she was home, but I wasn’t looking forward to the inquisition now that the caterers and decorators had dispersed and she had me cornered.
“Okay,” she said, giving me the stink eye. “Tell me everything.”
“Everything?” I shrugged. “Not much to tell, sis. Things are good.”
“Mama said you moved back home.”
I knew it was cowardly, but I hauled my stuff out of Dade’s place the night he told me he was going stag to my sister’s party. He’d made it clear where we stood. And since then I’d been his employee, nothing more. Every time he tried to touch me or talk about our situation, I shut him down.
I was over being jerked around by guys who couldn’t make up their minds and I had too much self-respect to go on being Dade’s dirty little secret forever. I was over it. Too bad I couldn’t say I was over him.
“Yeah, I thought it was time.” I rolled my eyes when she squeezed my hand, her eyes softening with sympathy. “It’s no big deal. Staying with Dade was only supposed to be temporary. I didn’t wanna overstay my welcome, and since the reporters and photographers aren’t doggin’ me anymore, I saw no reason to stay.”
