Page 40 of Double Puck

The honesty hits me like a relief.

"Josie—"

"No, let me say this." She steps closer, lowering her voice. "I was a bitch about the Beck thing. I was hurt that you made this huge decision that affects all of us without even mentioning it, and I took it out on you. But that wasn't fair."

My chest tightens.

"I'm sorry too," I say. "For not giving you a heads-up. You deserved better than finding out with everyone else."

Josie's shoulders relax. "Friends?"

"Friends."

She grins, and it's like the sun coming out from behind clouds.

I take a long sip of champagne and let my gaze drift across the ballroom.

Big mistake.

Because Beck is leaning against one of the marble columns, tux jacket perfectly fitted across shoulders that have no business looking that good right now. My eyes betray me, dropping lower.

Damn. His ass looks incredible in those pants too.

Jesus Christ, Darcy, get it together.

I think about his hands on my desk yesterday. The way he crowded into my space, close enough that I could smell his skin. I can't remember the last time a man showed me that kind of attention.

"So." Josie sidles closer, her lips curling. "How's the audit going? He driving you insane yet?"

I tear my eyes away from Beck's backside and shrug. "He's… manageable."

"Mhm." Josie follows my line of sight. Her smirk widens. "Is that why you're staring at his butt?"

"I am not." I drain my champagne, ignoring the flush of heat moving up my arm. "How are things with Declan?"

Josie's cheeks flush pink. "He's fine. Frustrated with all the coverage of his parents' divorce, but…" She bites her lip. "He's working it out."

"Working it out how?"

"Let's just say Declan Morrison handles stress very… physically."

I nearly inhale my own tongue. "Josie."

"What? You asked." She swirls the last of her champagne, cheeks going the exact shade of the centerpieces. "The man is insane. He goes for a run at five in the morning, and comes back and pins me against the mattress before I've even had coffee."

"You did not just say that in a ballroom full of Los Angeles' most elite."

"Whispering makes it classy, right?" She leans in anyway, dropping her voice even further. "Darcy. I have bruises shaped like his hands on my hips. I've never had sex like this before."

I set my glass down on a passing tray and immediately take a fresh one, because apparently, I'm going to need to be drunk to get through tonight.

"Well, for what it's worth, you're glowing," I tell her. "It's honestly disgusting. But I'm happy for you."

"Good. Because I need your help." She glances toward the table where the Bears have somehow claimed prime real estate. "I've been staying at the mansion a lot this week. Obviously."

My stomach flips at the mention of the mansion and Josie's current sexual revelations.

My mind wanders to Beck's house. Beck's bedroom.