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Joan
“Should I be surprised you’re back at work?” Brielle asked, propping her chin on her hands, eyes locked onto my face.
“Like I told you before, no,” I muttered. She rolled her eyes before slamming her hands on my desk, making my monitor shake slightly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Garrett jolt in surprise.
Finally, I looked up from my computer. After spending an extra two weeks at home, I’d decided to come back, despite Aaron’s protests. Technically, he was my boss, but that didn’t mean he got to dictate whether I worked or not.
“You can’t just waltz in here like nothing’s changed. Our boss is your boyfriend!” she whisper-yelled before pointing at herself. “I’ve seen the flowers he sent you. Which, by the way, you gave to me.” She crossed her arms. “So why are you here?”
I huffed, leaning back in my chair. “Hey, don’t judge just because I’m dating him. He’s not going to be hovering around the office, trust me. Just treat me like before.”
The princess treatment was getting old fast. Dealing with Aaron was enough-I didn’t need my coworkers walking on eggshells around me too. Garrett flashed me a small, almost apologetic smile, like even acknowledging me might get him fired.
Not that it couldn’t happen, but… ugh.
Brielle opened her mouth to say something, but the moment Alessia walked in, she straightened like a guilty kid caught mid-act. Instead of finishing her thought, she shot me a quick, almost sheepish smile and darted toward her friend.
Alessia’s brown eyes met mine, and for a second, she looked surprised. Then, to my shock, she smiled-at me.
Okay. Wasn’t expecting that.
We weren’t exactly close. Hell, even in the office, our interactions were minimal. The only person she really spoke to was Brielle. And after finding out we shared a mother? I’d been bracing for things to get more awkward, not… whatever this was.
But apparently, she had different plans.
She walked toward my desk, while Brielle pressed her lips together, avoiding my gaze. She knew. They were best friends, after all.
“Hey,” Alessia tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.
I forced a small smile. This was weird. “Hey.”
Silence. I rubbed my hands together, unsure what to say.
Then, she chuckled.
“Okay, so-uh-I was just going to ask if you’d like to join us for dinner tonight. Mom’s still in town, but she leaves tomorrow. So I figured… if you want to come?” She shrugged, trying to sound casual.
I nodded before I could even think it over. “Yeah, I think so.”
Her grin lit up her whole face. She looked so much like Luna-except for the hair. That was the only thing I’d inherited.
“You can bring your boyfriend too. I’ll text you the address,” she added, her smile turning sly.
I flushed.
With that, she walked off, Brielle immediately whispering furiously to her.
I slumped back in my chair. Shit was going to be so weird.
My phone pinged. I reached for it, where it sat prettily on my desk.
Mine: Hey, beautiful. What are you up to?
I rolled my eyes. Not used to this side of him. Sweet, though. Which meant he was probably up to something.
Me: Just got invited to dinner by Alessia. I said yes. Should I have declined?
His reply was immediate.
Mine: No? You didn’t turn her down… but do you feel comfortable going?
A small smile crept onto my lips.
Me: I’m going with you, so I trust you to get us out of there the moment things get awkward.
Three typing dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Reappeared.
Mine: What’s your safe word?
I grinned, fingers flying over the keyboard.
Me: Stomach ache? Headache? Sick? Horny? Pick for me.
Dots again.
Then nothing.
Then again.
Mine: Third option.
I huffed. All that typing and that’s what he landed on?
Me: Are you serious?
No response. Message unread. Mood killer.
I sent him the middle finger emoji before slamming my phone face-down on my desk. When I looked up, three pairs of eyes were drilling into me.
I forced a smile. Funny.
A voice popped up from the doorway.
“Joan Madison?”
I glanced up at the man standing there-someone I was sure I’d never seen before.
“The boss wants to see you,” he said.
My heart leapt.
Brielle’s gaze snapped to mine, and she wiggled her brows.
“It’s not what you think. It’s Noah,” I muttered, and I was pretty confident about that. I’d made Aaron promise not to show up at the office unless there was an emergency.
I followed the man, expecting to be led toward Noah’s office, but instead, he took me straight to the building’s exit.
He turned to leave.
“Uh-this is the exit?” I pointed at the doors, just in case he’d forgotten.
“Yeah,” he said like I was slow. “He asked me to bring you here.” Then, with barely a glance back, he walked off.
Aaron.
I pressed my lips together and stepped outside, scanning the lot.
A car honked, shattering the silence. I turned and immediately spotted Aaron’s sleek black Sweden parked in the garage.
I huffed. Seriously?
I walked over and knocked on the driver’s side window. The glass rolled down, revealing his face-smirking, amused.
“The garage, huh?” I asked.
“You made me promise not to come in today,” he said, tilting his head. “Did what I could.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why are you here?”
He smirked. “Are we really having this conversation with you standing outside? Get in. It’s not like I’m going to kill you.”
I hesitated, narrowing my eyes at him, before sighing and climbing into the passenger seat.
As soon as the door shut, the locks clicked. I swallowed. Anticipation was a bitch.
“Are you trying to murder me in here?” I asked just as he flicked open his seatbelt. Suddenly, my seat dipped, shifting until I was nearly lying down.
“Murder?” He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “Nope. But I do have a few ideas that would be worth our time.”
I searched his face, my gaze flickering to his lips.
“I lied,” he murmured.
My brows furrowed. “What?”
“Fourth option is the best. We’ll tell everyone you feel a little tingly down there, and I needed to check it out.”
I stared, speechless. Then, I chuckled. “What?”
“Or better still,” he continued, voice low and teasing, “you’re wet, and I need to clean you up.”
My heart toppled over itself.
“Are you for real?”
He nodded, brushing his lips over mine.
“It’s not even been five hours, but I fucking missed you,” he muttered.
I threaded my fingers into his hair, tugging slightly-something I’d learned he loved.
“Wouldn’t say the same,” I teased.
His eyes narrowed.
“But you replied to my text in one second,” he said smugly. “Been waiting for me to text, huh?”
I pursed my lips, looking away. Busted.
“I thought you were going to kiss me. Not ask questions like you’re some kind of detective,” I mumbled before staring back at him. “But come to think of it, you’d be a hot detec….” the rest of the words died in my throat the instant his lips met mine.
It was a long kiss but it wasn’t as deep as I envisioned it to be. When he finally pulled away, he ran a hand through my hair.
“Be a good girl. I’ll see you after work.” I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. What the hell?
He gave a lopsided grin as he leaned into his seat buckling his seat belt.
“Unless, you want to return to the office with me,” he muttered and I shook off my shock.
“You drove all the way here for this?” I bit out, hating how amused he looked while I was, well…
“I wanted a taste and I got one. Tell me, were you expecting more?” he asked and I gritted my teeth as I glared at him before climbing out of the car. Trust Aaron, to always grate on my nerves.
He turned on his ignition before rolling down the windows. I just stood at the side, glaring.
“You look cute when you’re angry. I’ll see you at home,” he winked before driving off. I huffed.
Seriously?
Patience. That’s what I needed to deal with him. So much patience.