Page 18 of Off Season
“She’s a stunning brunette and has anoutgoingpersonality.” I try to stress the last part because Mariana does not have an outgoing bone in her body.
“I assume she’s not Latina. Does she at least speak Spanish?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never asked.”
“Send me photos.”
I sigh. “Not a chance. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Thirty minutes later,I walk into Gemma’s office building. Andrew, the longtime receptionist, greets me with a big smile. “Hey, Cruzy.”
He started calling me that a few years ago. Even though he has a boyfriend, he seems to have a bit of a crush on me and isn’t shy about it. I happily indulge him.
I look his body up and down in a way that makes him blush. “Have you been working out, Andrew? You’re looking buff. I don’t know if I can keep up with you anymore.” I flex in my tight T-shirt just to make him happy. Yep, I’m a true humanitarian.
His face lights up. “I have. Thank you for noticing. You look good too, Cruzy.”
“Thanks, buddy. Is my favorite girl around?”
“She’s expecting you. She said that you can head straight back to her office but that youshouldn’thit on the cute brunette assistant in the cubicle outside her office. She very specifically told me to convey that to you.”
I chuckle. “Thanks, handsome.” I wink at him. “No brunette woman could ever be as cute as you, Andrew.”
Andrew practically giggles in glee as I walk past him and back toward Gemma’s office. Sadly, the cubicle outside her office is empty. In fact, it doesn’t look like anyone is working there. It’s just Gemma fucking with me. She loves to do that.
Her door is opened a crack, so I push it all the way open. Stunning Gemma DePaul is sitting at her executive desk like the badass attorney she is. As always, she’s in a high-fashion business suit looking like she’s a runway model. Though she’s built more like a swimsuit model, with curves and huge tits. Her hair is in an elegant chignon, as it often is during the workday. Her full lips are painted in hersignature red color. She has this old-school, classy Audrey Hepburn look, though Audrey has nothing on Gemma.
She smiles when she sees me and holds up her finger. “Trey, Cheetah just walked in, no more dirty talk.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
He yells out, “Why are you in my wife’s office, asshole?”
I yell back, “I’m trying to steal her. She needs a real man.”
Gemma simply shakes her head. “Baby, Cheetah and I have our monthly book club meeting. You know that. I need to run. Love you.” She loudly whispers to him, “You can pick our trope tonight. Make it extra dirty.”
I yell out, “You should try why choose. I volunteer as tribute.”
Gemma points at me. “Don’t poke the bear.”
I chuckle. “I love you too, Trey.”
He grumbles. “I hate you. Make sure you go somewhere public.”
Gemma giggles as she ends the call. She shakes her head at me. “Why do you start with him? You know how jealous he gets of our friendship.”
I smile and answer, “Because he’s an easy target…and I’m waiting for you to leave him for me.”
Without an ounce of shame, she asks, “Have you pierced your dick yet?”
I reluctantly shake my head. “Hmm. Nope.”
She shrugs. “Well, then…no. I won’t leave him for you. He’ll always have that on you. And I also happen to love him more than you could ever possibly imagine. He’s my forever. Sorry.”
My shoulders fall. “Ugh. Fine.” I mumble, “Such bullshit. I saw you first.” And I was there when he got his dick pierced for her. I passed out cold the second the needle touched his dick. I can’t believe he did that for her…before they went on their first date. He overheard her on the phone saying how much she liked it and went that night to get it done. What a psychopath. A lucky-in-love psychopath, but a psychopath nonetheless.
She gives me a small smile. “We’ll always have our book club lunches.” Throwing the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she offers me her arm. “Shall we? There’s a new oyster bar around the corner. Let’s go there.”
