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"For someone about to get a bunch of free designer clothes and makeup, you look decidedly unenthusiastic about it."
"It's not that," I start, but I'm not sure what to say. "It's the situation. I don't know why everyone is so invested in who I date. I'm not that interesting. In fact, I'm fairly certain I'm boring."
"You are not boring, darling. You have two of the most gorgeous men in the city vying for your attention. One is a notorious bad boy one thought would ever settle down, and the other looks like Jamie Fraser and is a total golden boy. I mean, swoon!"
I roll my eyes. I get it. Chase and Sam are great guys. But doing this just feels wrong. I don't want anyone to get hurt, and I can't envision how this will end well or with Sam and I staying friends.
"I'm only doing this for charity at this point," I sigh because it's true. If a big chunk of money wasn't going to two important causes, I would have cancelled this entire fiasco.
"So you already know who you're going to choose?" Spenser asks innocently.
"Don't answer that," Avery's voice booms as she and Holly stroll towards me. "You know she can't disclose her choice until after both men have had all three of their dates. It's in the contract."
"Oh boo! Don't spoil my fun!"
Holly and Avery link arms will me and drag me into their office, shutting the door behind them. The entire floor is very modern looking. Lots of glass walls, sleek furniture, and Apple products. As soon as they unhook their arms, I plop down into a fancy, white leather couch across from their matching desks.
"So, how have things been at training camp?" Holly asks, genuinely interested. She was a hockey player before trading in her skates for a desk.
"Busy. The new guys are so young and naive. They're still in the I-can-eat-anything-and-everything phase, and they're used to having their parents or billets cook everything for them."
"And how's Sam?" Avery pries, preening like a cat, as if I'm going to tell her we've been cooking more than food in our kitchen.
"He's great with the players, and we work well together. He's helpful, professional, and organized. We've got a good system."
"And?" Avery draws the word out.
"And nothing."
"Gah, you're not fun. No lovin’ by the oven? No forking around or spooning?”
I laugh at her terrible puns and just shake my head, much to her chagrin. Cooking for the whole of the Northmen's training camp invitees is challenging work. I'm too busy to mess around—well, except for that one time.
"Have you talked to Chase at all?" Holly questions, grabbing three bottles of water from her mini fridge and passing them out. The way she asks the questions makes me think she already knows about what, or rather who, went down in my office, but I'm probably just being paranoid.
"A little," I say, evading the question. I twist off the cap of my water and take a huge gulp, hoping she won't ask again. But she and Avery eye me like they can smell my lie of omission.
"You little hussy," Avery cackles and I feel the blush rushing up my neck and cheeks. It's times like these I hate that I inherited my mother's complexion. She's a blusher too. Even with a tan, I can't stop the red wave that crashes over my skin like a scarlet letter. And I haven't done anything wrong. I'm not an adulteress. My name isn't Hester Prynne, but I still feel guilty. "Spill."
"There's nothing to spill," I insist as more blood rushes to my face. God, just thinking about Chase, the words he spoke, and the way made me feel gets me hot and bothered.
"Oh, there's definitely something to spill," Holly grins.
"Come on, Lily. You know all our dirty secrets. Hell, last March I walked in on Holly's O-face when she and Luke desecrated our couch."
"Avery!" Holly shrieks. "You're one to talk! You have a sex tape floating around on the internet."
"TMI. Luke is my brother! I don't want details." I cringe. I love Holly like a sister, but I don't need to know what she and my brother do behind closed doors.
"It's not a sex tape. Well, I am having sex with Ryan in it, but I'm pretty much fully clothed, and I didn't post it online. Nor did I know I was being filmed. Plus, Ryan and I have been working on getting the damned thing scrubbed from the web."
"Good luck," I mutter, digesting what was just said and then narrow my eyes at Holly. "Wait, which couch are you talking about? Is it the couch you gave Riley and me?"
"Don't change the subject," Avery barks, turning the inquisition back to me. "What happened with Chase?"
"None of your business."
"I don't care! I still want to know."
