“Elle,” she said gently, but with that steady, no-nonsense weight she always used when I tried to run from things. “You don’t want brunch. You don’t want mimosas. You just don’t want to see him.”
I opened my mouth to argue, then shut it, because she was right. Completely, annoyingly right.
“After everything yesterday, I just…” My voice wavered. “I don’t know how to look at him and act like nothing happened.”
Kelsey’s expression softened, but she shook her head. “You can’t hide forever. Not from your job, not from him. And definitely not from how you feel.”
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “Why are you always so reasonable?”
“Because one of us has to be.” She smirked, snatching the purse off my chair and holding it out to me. “Now come on. You’re not calling in sick. You’re going to work, you’re going to hold your head high, and you’re going to survive this.”
“And if I don’t?” I asked, only half-joking.
“You will,” she promised, tossing me my bag. “You're stronger than you think, Elle. Don’t let one kiss undo you.”
Her words hit harder than she realized. Because it wasn’t just the kiss that undid me, it was the way it made me want more.
I clutched my bag tighter than necessary as I headed out my bedroom to the front of the house just as there was a knock on the door.
Kelsey and I exchanged glances. Clearly, neither of us were expecting a guest at this time.
I glanced at my watch. 6:25 am.
Who the...
I peeked through the peephole, half expecting a package on our doorstep or my ex-boyfriend, but what I got instead was the wind knocked out of me.
Nathan was here.
Nathan was here. Outside my door. At 6:25 in the morning.
I opened the door, taking Nathan in as he stood in the doorway dressed in a charcoal suit, immaculate as ever, dark hair perfectly in place, every line of him composed and deliberate. Nathan looked like he always did. Controlled, polished, and untouchable.
Which only made it worse. Because the last time I saw him, we’d been anythingbutin control.
“Nathan?” I managed. “What are you doing here?”
“I know your car is still giving you trouble,” he stated. “I thought I’d save you the hassle of getting a rideshare and give you a ride instead.”
I blinked at him. “What?”
“A ride,” he repeated, as if it were obvious. “To the office.”
My brain was short-circuiting. In the three years I’d worked for Nathan Edge, the man had never once offered me a ride anywhere.
But now here he stands, unbothered, like he’s sure I’ll say yes.
And even though every logical part of me screams that this is weird and probably inappropriate after the kiss we shared last night, I take a step forward anyways.
“Okay.”
Nathan smiled pleased before his eyes settled on my best-friend. “Good morning, Kelsey.”
“Good morning,” Kelsey grinned, obviously happy about the presence of the six-foot-four billionaire standing in our doorway. “Big fan of your introduction to social media by the way.”
“Kels!” I hissed, but Nathan only chuckled.
“It wasn’t exactly planned,” blue eyes found their way back to me before adding, “but I enjoyed every second.”
